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Jeremiah 36:26

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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.

But the king {H4428} commanded {H6680} Jerahmeel {H3396} the son {H1121} of Hammelech {H4429}, and Seraiah {H8304} the son {H1121} of Azriel {H5837}, and Shelemiah {H8018} the son {H1121} of Abdeel {H5655}, to take {H3947} Baruch {H1263} the scribe {H5608} and Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030}: but the LORD {H3068} hid {H5641} them.

Then the king ordered Yerachme'el the king's son, S'rayahu the son of 'Azri'el and Shelemyahu the son of 'Avde'el to arrest Barukh the scribe and Yirmeyahu the prophet; but ADONAI hid them.

Instead, the king commanded Jerahmeel, a son of the king, as well as Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel, to seize Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the LORD had hidden them.

And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; but Jehovah hid them.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 36:26

Jeremiah 36:26 captures a pivotal moment of divine intervention amidst intense opposition to God's word. This verse follows King Jehoiakim's defiant act of burning the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah, unable to go to the temple himself, dictated God's messages to his scribe, Baruch. Baruch then read these prophecies aloud to the people, and subsequently, to the officials in the king's palace. When the scroll was brought before King Jehoiakim, he contemptuously cut and burned it piece by piece, demonstrating his utter disdain for the divine warnings. This act of defiance led to the king's command in our verse: to seize both Jeremiah and Baruch. The king, likely fueled by anger and a desire to silence the uncomfortable truth, sought to imprison or even kill the messengers.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Providence: The most striking aspect of this verse is "but the LORD hid them." Despite the king's power and intent, God intervened directly to protect His servants. This highlights God's unwavering commitment to His messengers and His message. It demonstrates that no human authority, however mighty, can thwart God's ultimate plan or silence His voice.
  • Opposition to God's Word: King Jehoiakim's actions exemplify the human tendency to reject uncomfortable truths, especially when they challenge personal power or sinful lifestyles. His attempt to suppress the prophecy was an act of rebellion against God Himself.
  • The Sovereignty of God: This verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty. Even when His prophets face grave danger, His protective hand is sufficient. The king's command was rendered futile by divine will, showing that God's purposes will prevail regardless of human resistance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hid" is sathar (סָתַר), which means to conceal, hide, or keep secret. It implies an active, intentional act of concealment by God, not merely a coincidence or an oversight by the king's men. This divine hiding ensured their safety and allowed Jeremiah to later dictate an even stronger message of judgment (Jeremiah 36:27-32).

Practical Application

Jeremiah 36:26 offers profound encouragement to believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Protects His Own: When we are faithfully serving God and speaking His truth, even in the face of hostility or persecution, we can trust in His divine protection. Our safety is ultimately in His hands, not dependent on human power or circumstance. This echoes the promise of dwelling "in the secret place of the most High" (Psalm 91:1).
  • The Word of God Cannot Be Silenced: Just as King Jehoiakim could not destroy God's message by burning the scroll, attempts to suppress truth today are ultimately futile. God's word endures and will accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:11).
  • Courage in Ministry: This verse inspires courage for those who proclaim God's word, knowing that the Lord is their ultimate defender. Even when facing threats, our confidence should rest in the One who hides and protects His servants.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 19:10 (5 votes)

    And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

  • 1 Kings 19:14 (5 votes)

    And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

  • 1 Kings 17:3 (5 votes)

    Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that [is] before Jordan.

  • Psalms 91:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

  • 1 Kings 19:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

  • 1 Kings 19:3 (5 votes)

    And when he saw [that], he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which [belongeth] to Judah, and left his servant there.

  • Acts 12:11 (4 votes)

    And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews.