Jeremiah Chapter 36 — The Burning of the Scroll
Jeremiah dictates God's warnings to Baruch the scribe, but King Jehoiakim burns the scroll in defiance, leading God to command a second, expanded scroll.
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Notable Verses
Jeremiah 36:3
“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.”
This verse highlights God's primary motivation for the prophecy: the desire for the people to repent and receive forgiveness.
Jeremiah 36:23
“When Jehudi had read three or four columns, 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.”
This is the central act of defiance in the chapter, symbolizing the king's total rejection of divine warning.
Chapter Summary
In the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, God instructs Jeremiah to record all previous prophecies on a scroll, hoping the people of Judah might repent upon hearing the collective weight of the warnings. Since Jeremiah is restricted from entering the temple, his scribe Baruch records the words and reads the scroll publicly during a day of fasting. The message eventually reaches the king’s officials, who are moved by its warnings and advise Baruch and Jeremiah to go into hiding for their safety. When the scroll is eventually read before King Jehoiakim, he shows no fear or remorse. Instead, as the scroll is read, he systematically cuts it into pieces and burns it in a brazier. Despite the king's attempt to destroy the message, God commands Jeremiah to produce a second scroll. This new version includes all the original words plus additional judgments against Jehoiakim, asserting that the word of God remains regardless of human opposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baruch was the son of Neriah and served as Jeremiah's scribe. He was responsible for writing down Jeremiah’s dictated prophecies and reading them aloud to the public and officials when Jeremiah was unable to do so.
The king burned the scroll as an act of defiance and rejection. The text notes that he and his servants were not afraid and did not show signs of repentance, despite the grave warnings concerning the Babylonian destruction.
God commanded Jeremiah to take another scroll and rewrite all the original words. This second scroll also included additional prophecies concerning the punishment of Jehoiakim and his descendants for their iniquity.
Study Note
This chapter provides a unique historical look into the ancient process of prophetic dictation and the physical medium of ink and scrolls used in the late 7th century BC.
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