ScriptureDepth's study of Jeremiah 36
“Take a scroll of a book, and write in it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day.”
Jeremiah 36:2
Yahweh commands Jeremiah to write all His words against Israel and Judah, which sets in motion the recording of divine judgment in the scroll.
What Jeremiah 36 is about
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah receives God's instruction to write all His words against Israel and Judah on a scroll (vv. 1-3). Jeremiah calls Baruch, who writes down these words as commanded (vv. 4-8). Later, during a fast in the fifth year of Jehoiakim, Baruch reads the scroll in Yahweh’s house to the people gathered in Jerusalem (vv. 9-10). Micaiah hears Baruch’s reading and informs the princes, who send for Baruch to read it to them (vv. 11-14). After hearing the scroll, the princes express fear and plan to tell the king (vv. 15-16). They ask Baruch how he wrote the words, and he explains Jeremiah dictated them (vv. 17-18). The king, upon hearing the scroll read, burns it in anger (vv. 21-23). God commands Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll, warning of judgment against Jehoiakim for his actions (vv. 27-32).
Yahweh promises to punish Jehoiakim and directs Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll with additional words.
Jeremiah 36 at a glance
- Jeremiah 36:1–3Jeremiah Receives God's Instruction
- Jeremiah 36:4–8Baruch Writes the Scroll
- Jeremiah 36:9–13The Scroll is Read to Leaders
- Jeremiah 36:14–20Princes Seek to Know More
- Jeremiah 36:21–26Jehoiakim's Reaction
- Jeremiah 36:27–32God's Command to Rewrite
Key verse: Jeremiah 36:2
One thing to notice
Yahweh commands Jeremiah to write all the words spoken from the days of Josiah until now. This instruction is found in verses 2 and 3, where Jeremiah is told to write 'all the words that I have spoken' and to consider the people's response.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Jeremiah 36 (WEB)
Jeremiah Receives God's Instruction Jeremiah 36:1–3
1Verse 1. In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, 2Verse 2. “Take a scroll of a book, and write in it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day. 3Verse 3. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I intend to do to them; that they may each return from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.”
Baruch Writes the Scroll Jeremiah 36:4–8
4Verse 4. Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all Yahweh’s words, which he had spoken to him, on a scroll of a book. 5Verse 5. Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, “I am restricted. I can’t go into Yahweh’s house. 6Verse 6. Therefore you go, and read from the scroll which you have written from my mouth, Yahweh’s words, in the ears of the people in Yahweh’s house on the fast day. Also you shall read them in the ears of all Judah who come out of their cities. 7Verse 7. It may be they will present their supplication before Yahweh, and will each return from his evil way; for Yahweh has pronounced great anger and wrath against this people.”
8Verse 8. Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book Yahweh’s words in Yahweh’s house.
The Scroll is Read to Leaders Jeremiah 36:9–13
9Verse 9. Now in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, all the people in Jerusalem, and all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem, proclaimed a fast before Yahweh. 10Verse 10. Then Baruch read the words of Jeremiah from the book in Yahweh’s house, in the room of Gemariah the son of Shaphan, the scribe, in the upper court, at the entry of the new gate of Yahweh’s house, in the ears of all the people. 11Verse 11. When Micaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all Yahweh’s words,
12Verse 12. he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s room: and behold, all the princes were sitting there, Elishama the scribe, Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, Elnathan the son of Achbor, Gemariah the son of Shaphan, Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes. 13Verse 13. Then Micaiah declared to them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.
Princes Seek to Know More Jeremiah 36:14–20
14Verse 14. Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, “Take in your hand the scroll in which you have read in the ears of the people, and come.” So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand, and came to them. 15Verse 15. They said to him, “Sit down now, and read it in our hearing.” So Baruch read it in their hearing. 16Verse 16. Now when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one toward another, and said to Baruch, “We will surely tell the king of all these words.”
17Verse 17. They asked Baruch, saying, “Tell us now, how did you write all these words at his mouth?” 18Verse 18. Then Baruch answered them, “He dictated all these words to me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.” 19Verse 19. Then the princes said to Baruch, “You and Jeremiah go hide. Don’t let anyone know where you are.” 20Verse 20. They went in to the king into the court; but they had laid up the scroll in the room of Elishama the scribe. Then they told all the words in the hearing of the king.
Jehoiakim's Reaction Jeremiah 36:21–26
21Verse 21. So the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll; and he took it out of the room of Elishama the scribe. Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king, and in the hearing of all the princes who stood beside the king. 22Verse 22. Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month; and there was a fire in the brazier burning before him. 23Verse 23. When Jehudi had read three or four leaves, the king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier.
24Verse 24. The king and his servants who heard all these words were not afraid, and didn’t tear their garments. 25Verse 25. Moreover Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the scroll; but he would not listen to them. 26Verse 26. The king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; but Yahweh hid them.
God's Command to Rewrite Jeremiah 36:27–32
27Verse 27. Then Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah, after the king had burned the scroll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, 28Verse 28. “Take again another scroll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned. 29Verse 29. Concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah you shall say, ‘Yahweh says: “You have burned this scroll, saying, “Why have you written therein, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cause to cease from there man and animal?’”’ 30Verse 30. Therefore Yahweh says concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: “He will have no one to sit on David’s throne. His dead body will be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
31Verse 31. I will punish him, his offspring, and his servants for their iniquity. I will bring on them, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them, but they didn’t listen.”’” 32Verse 32. 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.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Jeremiah 36
repentance
In verses 3 and 7, God expresses His desire for the house of Judah to return from their evil ways, indicating that He may forgive their iniquity and sin if they heed His warning. Jeremiah's instructions to Baruch to read the scroll on a fast day create an occasion for collective repentance. The chapter shows a call for the people to turn back to God, highlighting the urgency of responding to His impending judgment.
Explore repentance in the Bible →God's sovereignty
God's sovereignty is evident throughout the chapter, especially in verses 27-28, where He commands Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll after Jehoiakim burns it. This act demonstrates that despite the king's defiance, God's word will prevail. The unfolding events, including the king's refusal to heed God's warning, highlight God's ultimate control over history and His prophetic word.
human obstinacy
In verses 24 and 25, Jehoiakim and his servants demonstrate human obstinacy by showing no fear or remorse after the scroll is read. They reject the pleas of the princes who seek to preserve the scroll, indicating a hardened heart against divine authority. The chapter portrays their refusal to heed God's warnings, illustrating the consequences of persistent disobedience.
indestructibility of God's word
In verse 32, after Jehoiakim burns the scroll, God instructs Jeremiah to rewrite all the words from the first scroll, affirming the indestructibility of His word. This act of preservation signifies that God's message cannot be extinguished by human actions. The addition of 'many similar words' further reinforces that God's truth will continue to be proclaimed regardless of opposition.
Chapter outline
How Jeremiah 36 unfolds
Jeremiah 36:1–3 Jeremiah Receives God's Instruction
Jeremiah receives a command from Yahweh to write a scroll containing all of God's words spoken against Israel, Judah, and other nations since Josiah's reign (vv. 1-2). This message aims for the people to turn from their evil ways (v. 3).
Jeremiah 36:4–8 Baruch Writes the Scroll
Baruch writes down the words as dictated by Jeremiah, who is unable to go to the temple (v. 5). Baruch is instructed to read this scroll publicly during a fast to the people of Judah (vv. 6-7).
Jeremiah 36:9–13 The Scroll is Read to Leaders
During a fast, Baruch reads the scroll in Yahweh's house, gathering the attention of all present, including leaders from the cities of Judah (vv. 9-10). Micaiah hears the words and reports them to the princes (v. 11).
Jeremiah 36:14–20 Princes Seek to Know More
The princes, interested in the scroll's content, summon Baruch to read it to them (vv. 14-15). After hearing the words, they express fear and decide to inform the king (vv. 16-17).
Jeremiah 36:21–26 Jehoiakim's Reaction
Jehoiakim reacts with disregard, burning the scroll as it is read to him, despite intercessions from some princes urging him not to do so (vv. 21-25). He then orders the arrest of Baruch and Jeremiah but fails to find them (v. 26).
Jeremiah 36:27–32 God's Command to Rewrite
After the scroll's destruction, Yahweh commands Jeremiah to write a new scroll containing the same words and additional messages concerning Jehoiakim's fate (vv. 28-30). Jeremiah complies, and Baruch writes again (vv. 31-32).
Key verses
Jeremiah 36:2Yahweh commands Jeremiah to write all His words against Israel and Judah, which sets in motion the recording of divine judgment in the scroll.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Jeremiah 36
- observeIn v4, who is instructed to write down the words of Yahweh?
- observeWhat act does Jehoiakim perform in v23 when he hears the scroll read?
- interpretIn v29, what specific threat does Yahweh make regarding Jehoiakim's actions?
- interpretIn v30, how does Yahweh's declaration about Jehoiakim's descendants create tension?
- applyWhen have you felt compelled to speak truth when faced with opposition, as Baruch did?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Jeremiah 36
- Jeremiah 26Jeremiah 36:3 and Jeremiah 26:3Both call for repentance: Jeremiah 36:3 states, 'that I may forgive their iniquity,' while Jeremiah 26:3 says, 'that I may relent from the evil.'
- 2 Kings 22Jeremiah 36:21 and 2 Kings 22:10Both involve reading a scroll: Jeremiah 36:21 describes Jehudi reading it before the king, while 2 Kings 22:10 notes Shaphan reading a book to the king.
- Jeremiah 22Jeremiah 36:30 and Jeremiah 22:30Both declare judgment on Jehoiakim: Jeremiah 36:30 states he will have no one to sit on David’s throne, while Jeremiah 22:30 says he will not prosper.
- Jeremiah 32Jeremiah 36:4 and Jeremiah 32:12Both mention Baruch: Jeremiah 36:4 shows him writing for Jeremiah, while Jeremiah 32:12 involves Baruch receiving a deed.
- 2 Chronicles 34Jeremiah 36:21 and 2 Chronicles 34:18Both involve scrolls being read: Jeremiah 36:21 describes Jehudi reading to the king, while 2 Chronicles 34:18 shows Shaphan reading a book.
- Jeremiah 1Jeremiah 36:27 and Jeremiah 1:18Both affirm God's protection over Jeremiah: Jeremiah 36:27 shows God's word coming to him, while Jeremiah 1:18 states he is made a fortified city.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Jeremiah 36
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Jeremiah: the whole bookJeremiah ministered longer through darker days than any other prophet: called as a young man around 627 BC in…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 244Day 244 of 365: Jeremiah 35–37.
- RepentanceWhat the Bible says about repentance, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
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