TRV
Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Jeremiah 36:20–32. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We have traced the roll to the people, and to the princes, and here we are to follow it to the king; and we find,
I.That, upon notice given him concerning it, he sent for it, and ordered it to be read to him, Jer 36:20, Jer 36:21.
He did not desire that Baruch would come and read it himself, who could read it more intelligently and with more authority and affection than any one else; nor did he order one of his princes to do it (though it would have been no disparagement to the greatest of them), much less would he vouchsafe to read it himself; but Jehudi, one of his pages now in waiting, who was sent to fetch it, is bidden to read it, who perhaps scarcely knew how to make sense of it. But those who thus despise the word of God will soon make it to appear, as this king did, that they hate it too, and have not only low, but ill thoughts of it.
II.That he had not patience to hear it read through as the princes had, but, when he had heard three or four leaves read, in a rage he cut it with his penknife, and threw it piece by piece into the fire, that he might be sure to see it all consumed, Jer 36:22, Jer 36:23. This was a piece of as daring impiety as a man could lightly be guilty of, and a most impudent affront to the God of heaven, whose message this was.
1.Thus he showed his impatience of reproof; being resolved to persist in sin, he would by no means bear to be told of his faults.
2.Thus he showed his indignation at Baruch and Jeremiah; he would have cut them in pieces, and burnt them, if he had had them in his reach, when he was in this passion.
3.Thus he expressed an abstinent resolution never to comply with the designs and intentions of the warnings given him; he will do what he will, whatever God by his prophets says to the contrary.
4.Thus he foolishly hoped to defeat the threatenings denounced against him, as if God knew not how to execute the sentence when the roll was gone in which it was written.
5.Thus he thought he had effectually provided that the things contained in this roll should spread no further, which was the care of the chief priests concerning the gospel, Act 4:17. They had told him how this roll had been read to the people and to the princes. "But," says he, "I will take a course that shall prevent its being read any more." See what an enmity there is against God in the carnal mind, and wonder at the patience of God, that he bears with such indignities done to him.
III.That neither the king himself nor any of his princes were at all affected with the word:
They were not afraid (Jer 36:24), no, not those princes that trembled at the word when they heard it the first time, Jer 36:16. So soon, so easily, do good impressions wear off. They showed some concern till they saw how light the king made of it, and then they shook off all that concern. They rent not their garments, as Josiah, this Jehoiakim's own father, did when he had the book of the law read to him, though it was not so particular as the contents of this roll were, nor so immediately adapted to the present posture of affairs.
IV.That there were three of the princes who had so much sense and grace left as to interpose for the preventing of the burning of the roll, but in vain, Jer 36:25. If they had from the first shown themselves, as they ought to have done, affected with the word, perhaps they might have brought the king to a better mind and have persuaded him to bear it patiently; but frequently those that will not do the good they should put it out of their own power to do the good they would.
V.That Jehoiakim, when he had thus in effect burnt God's warrant by which he was arrested, as it were in a way of revenge, now that he thought he had got the better, signed a warrant for the apprehending of Jeremiah and Baruch, God's ministers (Jer 36:26): But the Lord hid them. The princes bade them abscond (Jer 36:19), but it was neither the princes' care for them nor theirs for themselves that secured them; it was under the divine protection that they were safe. Note, God will find out a shelter for his people, though their persecutors be ever so industrious to get them into their power, till their hour be come; nay, and then he will himself be their hiding place.
VI.That Jeremiah had orders and instructions to write in another roll the same words that were written in the roll which Jehoiakim had burnt, Jer 36:27, Jer 36:28. Note, Though the attempts of hell against the word of God are very daring, yet not one iota or tittle of it shall fall to the ground, nor shall the unbelief of man make the word of God of no effect. Enemies may prevail to burn many a Bible, but they cannot abolish the word of God, can neither extirpate it nor defeat the accomplishment of it. Though the tables of the law were broken, they were renewed again; and so out of the ashes of the roll that was burnt arose another Phoenix. The word of the Lord endures for ever.
VII.That the king of Judah, though a king, was severely reckoned with by the King of kings for this indignity done to the written word.
God noticed what it was in the roll that Jehoiakim took so much offense at. Jehoiakim was angry because it was written therein, saying, Surely the king of Babylon shall come and destroy this land, Jer 36:29. And did not the king of Babylon come two years before this, and go far towards the destroying of this land? He did so (Ch2 36:6, Ch2 36:7) in his third year, Dan 1:1. So that God and his prophets had therefore become his enemies because they told him the truth, told him of the desolation that was coming, but at the same time putting him into a fair way to prevent it. But, if this be the thing he takes so much amiss, let him know,
1.That the wrath of God shall come upon him and his family, in the first place, by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. He shall be cut off, and in a few weeks his son shall be dethroned, and exchange his royal robes for prison-garments, so that he shall have none to sit upon the throne of David; the glory of that illustrious house shall be eclipsed, and die in him; his dead body shall lie unburied, or, which comes all to one, he shall be buried with the burial of an ass, that is, thrown into the next ditch; it shall lie exposed to all weathers, heat and frost, which will occasion its putrefying and becoming loathsome the sooner. "Not that his body" (says Mr. Gataker) "could be sensible of such usage, or himself, being deceased, of aught that should befal his body; but that the king's body in such a condition should be a hideous spectacle, and a horrid monument of God's heavy wrath and indignation against him, unto all that should behold it." Even his seed and his servants shall fare the worse for their relation to him (Jer 36:31), for they shall be punished, not for his iniquity, but so much the sooner for their own.
2.That all the evil pronounced against Judah and Jerusalem in that roll shall be brought upon them. Though the copy be burnt, the original remains in the divine counsel, which shall again be copied out after another manner in bloody characters. Note, There is no escaping God's judgments by struggling with them. Who ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered?
VIII.That, when the roll was written anew, there were added to the former many like words (Jer 36:32), many more threatenings of wrath and vengeance; for, since they will yet walk contrary to God, he will heat the furnace seven times hotter. Note, As God is in one mind, and none can turn him, so he has still more arrows in his quiver; and those who contend with God's woes do but prepare for themselves heavier of the same kind.
Continue studying Jeremiah 36:29 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
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. 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). 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). 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). 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).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
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.
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.
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.
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
FAQ
What was the significance of Jehoiakim burning the scroll?
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. It was a public declaration of rebellion against divine sovereignty.
Did burning the scroll stop the prophecy from coming true?
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 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 and Hebrews 1:1-3). 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 (John 3:18). 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). 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).