Jeremiah 36:29

KJV

And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt say {H559} to Jehoiakim {H3079} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Thou hast burned {H8313} this roll {H4039}, saying {H559}, Why hast thou written {H3789} therein, saying {H559}, The king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} shall certainly {H935} come {H935} and destroy {H7843} this land {H776}, and shall cause to cease {H7673} from thence man {H120} and beast {H929}?

Complete Jewish Bible

And as far as Y'hoyakim king of Y'hudah is concerned, you are to say that ADONAI says, 'You burned this scroll, asking, "Why did you write in it that the king of Bavel will certainly come and destroy this land and leave it without either humans or animals?"

Berean Standard Bible

You are to proclaim concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah that this is what the LORD says: You have burned the scroll and said, ‘Why have you written on it that the king of Babylon would surely come and destroy this land and deprive it of man and beast?’

American Standard Version

And concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:29 delivers a severe divine indictment against King Jehoiakim of Judah, directly confronting his audacious act of burning the prophetic scroll. This verse articulates the LORD's unyielding response, reiterating the absolute certainty of Babylon's invasion and the complete desolation it would inflict upon Judah, leading to the cessation of both human and animal life from the land. It powerfully underscores the futility of human defiance against God's revealed will, demonstrating that no act of rebellion can nullify divine decree or avert its inevitable consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic divine pronouncement following King Jehoiakim's unparalleled act of defiance in [Jeremiah 36](/jeremiah/36 "Jeremiah 36 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll"). The chapter meticulously details the LORD's command to Jeremiah to record all prophecies from the time of Josiah, a task faithfully executed by Baruch. After Baruch publicly read the scroll, its grave contents were brought before the king. Jehoiakim, rather than repenting, reacted with contempt, systematically cutting and burning the scroll's sections until it was entirely consumed. Jeremiah 36:29 is God's immediate and direct response to this sacrilegious act, demonstrating that the destruction of the physical message does not negate the divine decree. It sets the stage for the intensified judgment against Jehoiakim's person and lineage, emphasizing the unalterable nature of God's word despite human attempts to suppress it.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoiakim reigned over Judah from 609-598 BCE, a turbulent era marked by the decline of Assyrian dominance and the rapid rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Judah, strategically positioned, found itself caught between the geopolitical ambitions of Egypt and Babylon. Jehoiakim, a puppet king installed by Pharaoh Neco II, later became a Babylonian vassal before foolishly rebelling. His reign was characterized by widespread idolatry, social injustice, and a hardened heart against prophetic warnings, starkly contrasting with his father Josiah's reforms. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, written documents, especially those attributed to a deity or prophet, held immense authority and were often treated with reverence. Jehoiakim's public burning of the scroll was not merely an act of censorship but a profound, symbolic rejection of divine authority, a desperate and futile attempt to negate a reality he refused to accept, rather than a simple dismissal of a human messenger.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 36:29 powerfully encapsulates several core themes woven throughout the prophetic book of Jeremiah. Central to the verse is the theme of **Defiance Against God's Word**, starkly illustrated by Jehoiakim's audacious burning of the scroll, which represents a profound rejection of divine authority and a refusal to repent (compare [Jeremiah 7:23-26](/jeremiah/7-23-26 "Jeremiah 7:23-26 - Disobedience and Consequences")). This defiance underscores the **Immutability of Prophecy**; despite the king's futile attempt to destroy the message, God's word remains steadfast and will inevitably come to pass, demonstrating that human will cannot thwart divine purpose (as echoed in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Empty")). The verse also highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, portraying Babylon not merely as a political foe but as an instrument of God's righteous judgment against Judah's persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry (see [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")). Finally, it vividly illustrates the severe **Consequences of Rejection** of God's warnings, as Jehoiakim's actions directly lead to specific, intensified judgments against him and his dynasty, culminating in the complete desolation of the land and its inhabitants (further detailed in [Jeremiah 36:30-31](/jeremiah/36-30-31 "Jeremiah 36:30-31 - Judgment on Jehoiakim's Dynasty")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jehoiakim (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôwyâqîym'_):** From H3079, meaning "Jehovah will raise." This name, ironically, belongs to the king who actively sought to suppress and destroy God's word, rather than being raised up by Him in honor or obedience. His actions in this verse stand in stark contrast to the divine promise implied in his very name, highlighting his rebellion against the God who appointed him and whose word he defiantly rejected.
* **roll (Hebrew, _mᵉgillâh'_):** From H4039, referring to a scroll or volume. This term specifically denotes the written medium of Jeremiah's prophecy, containing the divine oracles dictated by God. The physical "roll" was the tangible representation of God's spoken word, making Jehoiakim's act of burning it a direct assault on the divine message itself, rather than merely a human document. Its destruction was a desperate and futile attempt to erase the inconvenient truth it contained.
* **burned (Hebrew, _sâraph'_):):** From H8313, meaning "to be (causatively, set) on fire; (cause to, make a) burn." This verb emphasizes the deliberate, destructive, and public nature of Jehoiakim's act. It was not a casual discarding but an intentional act of obliteration, signifying his utter contempt for the message and its divine Author. The burning was a symbolic act of defiance, an attempt to nullify the prophecy by destroying its physical form, an act of open rebellion against the LORD.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD;":** This opening clause establishes the absolute divine authority and directness of the message. Jeremiah is merely the obedient messenger, and the words are a direct, unmediated pronouncement from "the LORD" (Yahweh), the self-existent, covenant-keeping God of Israel. This underscores the profound gravity of Jehoiakim's offense, as his defiance is not against a mere prophet, but against God Himself.
* **"Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying,":** This section details Jehoiakim's specific act of rebellion and his stated rationale. The repetition of "saying" emphasizes the king's intentional, verbalized rejection of the scroll's content and its divine origin. His rhetorical question, "Why hast thou written therein," reveals his disbelief, opposition, and hardened heart, indicating a refusal to acknowledge God's sovereign warnings or to submit to His will.
* **"The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?":** This final clause quotes the precise content of the scroll that so enraged Jehoiakim. It is the core prophecy of inescapable judgment: the guaranteed invasion by the king of Babylon, leading to the complete desolation of the land. The emphatic phrase "shall certainly come" highlights the absolute certainty and inevitability of the prophecy's fulfillment, while the comprehensive destruction of "man and beast" underscores the totality of the impending judgment, signifying a complete eradication of life and order as it was known.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 36:29 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with maximum impact. The most prominent device is **Direct Discourse**, as the LORD's words are quoted verbatim through Jeremiah, lending immediate and unassailable authority to the divine judgment. This creates a powerful sense of confrontation and immediacy. There is also profound **Irony** in Jehoiakim's act: by defiantly burning the scroll in a futile attempt to negate the prophecy, he ironically confirms his own hardened heart and brings about an even more severe and certain fulfillment of the very judgment he sought to avoid. The prophecy itself functions as a clear **Foreshadowing**, explicitly outlining the future, inevitable destruction of Judah by Babylon, which would indeed come to pass as a direct consequence of such defiance. Furthermore, the comprehensive phrase "cause to cease from thence man and beast" is a form of **Merism**, using two contrasting elements (man and beast) to signify the totality and absolute devastation that will befall the land, emphasizing a complete eradication of life and order.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:29 stands as a powerful testament to the unalterable nature of God's word and the severe consequences of human rebellion against divine truth. It underscores that God's prophecies are not mere suggestions or negotiable terms, but declarations of His sovereign will, which will be fulfilled regardless of human opposition. Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll was not merely an affront to Jeremiah but a direct challenge to the authority, veracity, and omnipotence of the LORD Himself. This incident serves as a crucial theological lesson that attempts to suppress, deny, or actively destroy God's word are utterly futile and only hasten the very judgments they seek to avoid. It highlights God's unwavering justice in responding to such hardened defiance, demonstrating that He holds rulers and nations fully accountable for their response to His revealed will and that His word stands forever.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie")
* [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever")
* [Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:29 serves as a sober and profound reminder of the critical importance of our posture towards God's Word. Jehoiakim's defiant act of burning the scroll vividly illustrates the futility and inherent danger of resisting divine truth. While we may not physically burn Bibles in our modern context, we can effectively "burn" or "destroy" God's Word in our lives by ignoring its teachings, dismissing its warnings as irrelevant, or consistently prioritizing our own desires, comfort, or perceived wisdom over its clear and authoritative commands. This verse challenges us to deeply examine our hearts: Do we receive God's Word with genuine humility, a teachable spirit, and a sincere desire to obey, or do we, like Jehoiakim, seek to silence, discredit, or rationalize away its uncomfortable truths when it confronts our cherished narratives or sinful habits? True spiritual wisdom lies in recognizing the unchanging authority and eternal relevance of Scripture and aligning our lives with its truth, understanding that God's promises of blessing and warnings of judgment will inevitably come to pass. Our response to God's Word today profoundly shapes our eternal destiny.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I be tempted to "burn" or dismiss parts of God's Word that challenge my comfort, worldview, or personal preferences?**
* **What specific warnings, commands, or principles in Scripture do I find myself resisting or rationalizing away, and what underlying reasons might be driving this resistance?**
* **How does my consistent response to God's written Word demonstrate my true reverence (or lack thereof) for God Himself, the living Word?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take this week to cultivate a more receptive, humble, and obedient heart towards the Bible's authority in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Jehoiakim burning the scroll?**

Answer: Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll was far more than mere censorship; it was a profound and deliberate act of defiance against God Himself. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, written documents, especially those from a deity or prophet, carried immense spiritual and legal weight. By systematically destroying the physical scroll, Jehoiakim attempted to nullify the prophecy and assert his own will and authority over God's. This brazen act demonstrated his hardened heart, his utter refusal to repent, and his profound contempt for the LORD's warnings of impending judgment from Babylon, as described earlier in [Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll"). It was a public declaration of rebellion against divine sovereignty.

**Did burning the scroll stop the prophecy from coming true?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Burning the scroll did not negate God's decree; instead, it intensified the judgment against Jehoiakim personally and guaranteed the prophecy's fulfillment. God's word is immutable and sovereign; human defiance, no matter how audacious, cannot thwart His eternal purposes. As explicitly stated in [Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "Jeremiah 36:32 - Jeremiah Rewrites the Scroll"), Jeremiah was commanded to rewrite the scroll, and "many similar words were added to them." The destruction of the physical scroll only served to confirm Jehoiakim's rebellion and hasten the very judgment he sought to avoid, as the king of Babylon did indeed "certainly come and destroy this land," just as the original scroll had warned.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:29, though a narrative of Old Testament defiance and judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound contrast between human rejection of God's word and the divine embodiment of that Word in Jesus Christ. Jehoiakim's burning of the scroll represents humanity's persistent rebellion against God's revealed truth, a rebellion that ultimately culminated in the rejection and crucifixion of the very Word made flesh. While Jehoiakim sought to destroy the written prophecy, the eternal Son, Jesus, fully embodied and perfectly fulfilled all prophecy, becoming the ultimate, living revelation of God's will and character (compare [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word") and [Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). The severe judgment pronounced upon Jehoiakim for rejecting the scroll foreshadows the even greater judgment that awaits all who reject Christ, the living Word, who offers not destruction but eternal life to those who believe (cf. [John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned")). Furthermore, Christ's perfect obedience, even unto death on the cross, stands in stark contrast to Jehoiakim's defiant rebellion, demonstrating the path of true submission to God's will, which brings salvation and reconciliation rather than condemnation (see [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus Humbled Himself")). The immutability of God's word, which Jehoiakim could not destroy, is perfectly upheld and demonstrated in Christ, who declared, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - Jesus' Words Will Never Pass Away")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 26:9

Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 30:10

Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Isaiah 45:9

Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [strive] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Deuteronomy 29:19

And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

Job 15:24

Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

Isaiah 29:21

That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.

Jeremiah 32:3

For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;