TRV
Translation
King James Version
Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.
KJV (with Strong's)
Then took H3947 Jeremiah H3414 another H312 roll H4039, and gave H5414 it to Baruch H1263 the scribe H5608, the son H1121 of Neriah H5374; who wrote H3789 therein from the mouth H6310 of Jeremiah H3414 all the words H1697 of the book H5612 which Jehoiakim H3079 king H4428 of Judah H3063 had burned H8313 in the fire H784: and there were added H3254 besides unto them many H7227 like H1992 words H1697.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then Yirmeyahu took another scroll and gave it to Barukh the scribe, the son of Neriyah. At Yirmeyahu's dictation he wrote in it all the words of the scroll which Y'hoyakim king of Y'hudah had burned up in the fire, and to those he added many similar words.
Berean Standard Bible
Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, and at Jeremiah’s dictation he wrote on it all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.
American Standard Version
Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire; and there were added besides unto them many like words.
World English Bible Messianic
Then took Jeremiah another scroll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire; and many similar words were added to them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then tooke Ieremiah another roule, and gaue it Baruch the scribe the sonne of Neriah, which wrote therein at the mouth of Ieremiah all the wordes of the booke which Iehoiakim King of Iudah had burnt in the fire, and there were added besides them many like wordes.
Young's Literal Translation
And Jeremiah hath taken another roll, and giveth it unto Baruch son of Neriah the scribe, and he writeth on it from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book that Jehoiakim king of Judah hath burnt in the fire; and again there were added unto them many words like these.
In the KJVVerse 19,875 of 31,102
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Commentary on Jeremiah 36 verses 20–32
20 ¶ And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
21 So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.
22 Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.
23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
24 Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.
25 Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.
26 But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.
27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
29 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?
30 Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
31 And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.
32 Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.
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.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 20–32. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:32 powerfully demonstrates the invincibility of God's divine word and His unwavering resolve in the face of human defiance. Following King Jehoiakim's rebellious act of burning the first prophetic scroll, this verse records God's immediate and decisive counter-response: Jeremiah, assisted by his faithful scribe Baruch, meticulously re-creates the scroll. Crucially, this new scroll not only duplicates the original message but significantly expands upon it with "many like words," thereby underscoring the absolute futility of human opposition against God's sovereign will and the amplified consequences that accrue from persistent rebellion.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to a pivotal narrative in the book of Jeremiah, detailing the confrontation between God's prophetic word and King Jehoiakim's hardened heart. The chapter begins with God's command to Jeremiah to record all His words of judgment and warning against Judah, with the explicit hope that they might repent and avert disaster, as outlined in Jeremiah 36:1-3. Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, diligently executes this task and subsequently reads the scroll to the officials, as described in Jeremiah 36:4-19. The dramatic turning point, and the catalyst for Jeremiah 36:32, occurs in Jeremiah 36:20-26, where King Jehoiakim, upon hearing only a few columns, defiantly cuts and burns the scroll, demonstrating his utter contempt for God's message. Jeremiah 36:32, therefore, represents God's direct and powerful counter-response to this act of rebellion, unequivocally proving that His word cannot be silenced or destroyed. It also sets the stage for the fulfillment of the specific judgments pronounced against Jehoiakim himself, which are detailed in Jeremiah 36:30-31.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events of Jeremiah 36 unfolded during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), a period characterized by profound political instability and moral decay in Judah. Jehoiakim, initially installed as a vassal king by Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt, later found himself subjected to the rising power of Babylon. His rule was marked by flagrant injustice, oppressive policies, and widespread idolatry, standing in stark contrast to the righteous reforms initiated by his father, Josiah (compare Jeremiah 22:13-19). Culturally, the burning of a scroll in the ancient Near East was an act of extreme defiance and contempt, akin to a modern-day public desecration of a nation's constitution or a sacred religious text. It was a highly symbolic rejection of the authority and content of the document. Scribes like Baruch held a crucial position in these societies, serving as essential secretaries, record-keepers, and administrators, often working in close association with prophets or royal courts. The immediate act of rewriting and expanding the scroll, therefore, underscored the divine authority that transcended human political power and cultural norms, asserting God's ultimate sovereignty over the king and the nation.
Key Themes: Jeremiah 36:32 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes that permeate the entire book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights The Indestructible Nature of God's Word. King Jehoiakim's futile attempt to nullify the prophecy by burning the scroll demonstrates that divine revelation cannot be thwarted by human will or power. God's word, unlike human decrees, stands firm and accomplishes its intended purpose, as echoed in Isaiah 55:11. Secondly, the verse vividly illustrates the Futility and Amplified Consequences of Rebellion. Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll was not merely an overt rejection of God's message but a brazen display of his hardened heart. Instead of silencing the prophecy, his defiance led directly to a more severe and expanded reiteration of the very message he sought to suppress, emphasizing that persistent rebellion inevitably leads to intensified judgment. This principle is also profoundly evident in God's dealings with Pharaoh in Exodus 7:3-5. Finally, the verse underscores Divine Sovereignty and Justice. Despite human attempts to resist, God's plan and pronouncements prevail. The addition of "many like words" signifies God's righteous judgment, ensuring that His warnings are not only re-issued but also intensified to justly match the escalating defiance of His people.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 36:32 employs several powerful Literary Devices to convey its profound theological truths. The most prominent is Repetition, not merely of the act of writing the scroll, but of the divine word itself. King Jehoiakim's burning of the scroll is met with a re-issuance of the same words, emphasizing the indestructible nature of God's message and His unwavering commitment to His declared will. This act of re-creation also carries significant Symbolism: the burning of the scroll symbolizes human rebellion, futile attempts to silence divine truth, and the rejection of God's authority. Conversely, the rewriting and expansion of the scroll symbolize God's absolute sovereignty, the enduring power of His word, and the amplified, inescapable consequences of disobedience. There is also profound Irony embedded in this verse; King Jehoiakim's intention was to destroy the message and thereby escape its judgment, but his very action directly led to the message being re-affirmed and even intensified, bringing about a more severe judgment upon himself and his kingdom. This ironic outcome underscores the utter futility of fighting against God's will and the certainty of His word's fulfillment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:32 stands as a profound testament to the enduring power and unassailable authority of God's word, a truth that echoes throughout the entire biblical narrative. It teaches us unequivocally that no human power, no act of defiance, and no amount of rebellion can ultimately silence, nullify, or thwart the divine decree. God's word, once spoken, is inherently sure to accomplish its intended purpose, whether for judgment or for salvation. This principle is foundational to understanding God's character as both sovereign and faithful, and it serves as a stark warning against the folly and danger of rejecting His truth. The crucial addition of "many like words" further illustrates a vital divine principle: God's warnings are often incremental, offering opportunity for repentance, but persistent and hardened rebellion will inevitably lead to intensified consequences, demonstrating His righteous justice alongside His immense patience.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:32 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers today, challenging us to a deeper and more profound reverence for the Holy Scriptures. If God's written word is so resilient that no human act can destroy or diminish its power, how much more should we cherish, diligently study, and humbly obey it? This passage serves as a powerful reminder that the Bible is not merely a collection of ancient texts or human wisdom, but the living, active, and enduring word of God, carrying inherent divine authority and transformative power. Our response to it, therefore, should be one of humble submission, eager reception, and diligent application, rather than casual dismissal, selective adherence, or outright defiance. Secondly, this verse functions as a sobering warning against hardening our hearts to God's truth. King Jehoiakim's defiance led not to liberation from judgment but to its amplification and intensification. In our own lives, when God speaks through His word, through the wise counsel of others, or through the circumstances He orchestrates, we are called to listen attentively and respond with genuine repentance and obedient faith. To ignore or defiantly reject God's warnings is to invite potentially graver consequences, for while God's patience is vast and merciful, it is not infinite. May we be those who tremble at His word, allowing it to profoundly shape our lives, guide our steps, and transform our hearts.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was it important that "another roll" was taken and rewritten?
Answer: It was critically important because it demonstrated the absolute sovereignty, indefatigable nature, and inherent power of God's word. King Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll was not merely an act of political defiance but a direct, contemptuous attempt to nullify God's message and thereby escape its impending judgment. By immediately commanding Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll, God unequivocally proved that His word cannot be destroyed, silenced, or thwarted by human will, no matter how powerful the human agent. The divine message is not dependent on a physical scroll or the fleeting whims of a king; it originates from God Himself and will infallibly accomplish its intended purpose, regardless of human opposition. This act underscored God's ultimate authority over human rulers and their futile attempts to thwart His plans, as powerfully declared in Proverbs 19:21.
What is the significance of "many like words" being added to the second scroll?
Answer: The addition of "many like words" signifies a profound intensification and expansion of the original prophetic message, directly in response to King Jehoiakim's blatant and defiant act of rebellion. The second scroll was not merely a verbatim copy but contained more severe judgments and pronouncements specifically directed against the king and Judah for their escalating sin. This illustrates a crucial divine principle: while God is patient and provides warnings, persistent and defiant rejection of His word leads to amplified consequences and intensified judgment. It vividly demonstrates God's righteous justice, where increased sin is met with increased severity in divine pronouncements, reinforcing the timeless truth that God is not mocked and His word will not return to Him void (compare Galatians 6:7).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:32, with its powerful portrayal of the indestructible and amplifying word of God, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the Living Word of God (as revealed in John 1:1). Just as King Jehoiakim sought to burn and silence the written prophecy, humanity, in its profound rebellion and spiritual blindness, sought to silence God's ultimate and most perfect revelation by crucifying Jesus. Yet, the cross, far from being the end or the silencing of God's message, became the very means by which God's word of salvation was amplified, extended, and eternally established for all nations. The glorious resurrection of Jesus from the dead was God's definitive "rewriting" and "adding many like words" to His redemptive message, demonstrating unequivocally that even death itself could not contain or nullify the divine truth. The gospel, the good news of Christ's finished work, cannot be burned, suppressed, or destroyed by any human power; rather, it is proclaimed with ever-increasing power through the Holy Spirit, reaching the uttermost ends of the earth (as promised in Acts 1:8). Jesus himself declared with divine authority that "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35), directly echoing the divine resilience and eternal nature of God's word seen in Jeremiah. In Christ, God's word is not merely re-issued or intensified; it is perfectly embodied, eternally fulfilled, and irrevocably established, offering not only righteous judgment for rebellion but also boundless grace, forgiveness, and new life to all who believe.