King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:12 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:12 in the King James Version says “Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama th... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

Jeremiah 36:12 · KJV


Context

10

Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house, in the ears of all the people. entry: or, door

11

When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,

12

Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

13

Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.

14

Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber—The movement from temple (higher court) to palace (lower, literally) symbolizes bringing God's word to political power. And, lo, all the princes sat there—The Hebrew הִנֵּה (hinneh, behold) draws attention to the assembled cabinet meeting. Six officials are named, representing Jehoiakim's inner circle.

Gemariah's presence among the princes (his own chamber) shows the intermingling of faithful and faithless leadership. Elnathan son of Achbor had previously brought the prophet Urijah back from Egypt to be executed (26:22-23), yet here he hears Jeremiah's words. The specificity of names underscores historical reality: this is not myth but documented confrontation between divine word and human authority.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The "king's house" (palace complex) was adjacent to the temple in Jerusalem. Scribes served as royal secretaries, record-keepers, and advisors. Cabinet meetings in the scribe's chamber suggest administrative rather than throne room setting. These princes wielded real power in Jehoiakim's government, making their response crucial for national policy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you bring God's word into secular spheres of influence where you have access?
  2. What does the presence of both supporters (Gemariah) and opponents (Elnathan) of true prophecy teach about navigating mixed leadership contexts?
  3. How can you speak truth to power while maintaining wisdom and discretion like Michaiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֵּ֤רֶד1 of 27

Then he went down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בֵּית2 of 27

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙3 of 27

into the king's

H4428

a king

עַל4 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִשְׁכַּ֣ת5 of 27

chamber

H3957

a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging)

הַסֹּפֵ֡ר6 of 27

into the scribe's

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

וְהִ֨נֵּה7 of 27
H2009

lo!

שָׁ֔ם8 of 27
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

כָּל9 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשָּׂרִֽים׃10 of 27

and all the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

יֽוֹשְׁבִ֑ים11 of 27

sat

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

אֱלִישָׁמָ֣ע12 of 27

there even Elishama

H476

elishama, the name of seven israelites

הַסֹּפֵ֡ר13 of 27

into the scribe's

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

וּדְלָיָ֣הוּ14 of 27

and Delaiah

H1806

delajah, the name of five israelites

בֶן15 of 27

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

שְׁ֠מַעְיָהוּ16 of 27

of Shemaiah

H8098

shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites

וְאֶלְנָתָ֨ן17 of 27

and Elnathan

H494

elnathan, the name of four israelites

בֶן18 of 27

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

עַכְבּ֜וֹר19 of 27

of Achbor

H5907

akbor, the name of an idumaean and of two israelites

וּגְמַרְיָ֧הוּ20 of 27

and Gemariah

H1587

gemarjah, the name of two israelites

בֶן21 of 27

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

שָׁפָ֛ן22 of 27

of Shaphan

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

וְצִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ23 of 27

and Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

בֶן24 of 27

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

חֲנַנְיָ֖הוּ25 of 27

of Hananiah

H2608

chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites

וְכָל26 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשָּׂרִֽים׃27 of 27

and all the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)


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 36:12 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 36:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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