King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:1 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:1 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah f...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,”

Jeremiah 36:1 · KJV

Context

1

And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2

Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.

3

It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, This chronological marker places the event in 605 BCE, a pivotal year when Babylon defeated Egypt at Carchemish, establishing Nebuchadnezzar's Neo-Babylonian Empire as the dominant world power. The dating formula emphasizes divine sovereignty over historical timing—God's word comes at precisely the moment when the geopolitical situation confirms the prophetic warnings Jeremiah has been proclaiming.

Jehoiakim's identification as "son of Josiah" carries ironic significance. Josiah (640-609 BCE) was Judah's last godly king who led sweeping reforms after discovering the Law scroll (2 Kings 22-23). His son Jehoiakim (609-598 BCE) reversed these reforms, becoming one of Judah's most wicked kings. This generational contrast underscores the spiritual tragedy: despite having a righteous father and witnessing genuine revival, Jehoiakim chose rebellion.

The phrase "this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD" (hayah debar-YHWH el-Yirmeyahu) emphasizes prophetic authority. What follows isn't Jeremiah's opinion but divine revelation. The command to write these prophecies in a scroll serves multiple purposes: preserving the message for future generations, providing portable testimony during exile, and creating a permanent record for validation when prophecies are fulfilled.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The fourth year of Jehoiakim (605 BCE) marked a crucial turning point in ancient Near Eastern politics. Babylon's decisive victory at Carchemish ended Egyptian influence over the Levant and began the Neo-Babylonian period that would dominate the next seventy years. Jehoiakim initially served as an Egyptian vassal but transferred allegiance to Babylon after Carchemish, only to rebel later—bringing Nebuchadnezzar's wrath.

This historical context explains the urgency of God's command to write the prophecies. With Babylon's rise, Jeremiah's twenty-three years of warnings (beginning in 627 BCE, Jeremiah 25:3) were about to be vindicated. The written scroll would serve as undeniable evidence that God had repeatedly warned Judah before judgment fell. Archaeological discoveries of neo-Babylonian chronicles confirm the dramatic power shift in 605 BCE, validating the biblical chronology.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's precise timing in speaking through His word at critical historical moments demonstrate His sovereignty?
  2. In what ways does the contrast between Josiah and Jehoiakim warn against presuming on godly heritage rather than personal faithfulness?
  3. How does the permanence of Scripture (written and preserved) provide different benefits than oral proclamation alone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַֽיְהִי֙1 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה2 of 16

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָרְבִעִ֔ית3 of 16

“And it came to pass in the fourth”

H7243

fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth

לִיהוֹיָקִ֥ים4 of 16

“of Jehoiakim”

H3079

jehojakim, a jewish king

בֶּן5 of 16

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֹאשִׁיָּ֖הוּ6 of 16

“of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 16

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֑ה8 of 16

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הָיָ֞ה9 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַדָּבָ֤ר10 of 16

“that this word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּה֙11 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֶֽל12 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ13 of 16

“came unto Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

מֵאֵ֥ת14 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֖ה15 of 16

“from the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֵאמֹֽר׃16 of 16

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 36:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 36:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 25:12 Kings 24:1-2Jeremiah 35:1Jeremiah 45:12 Chronicles 36:5

Test Your Knowledge

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