King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 36:19 Mean?
“Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.”
Jeremiah 36:19 · KJV
Context
17
And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
18
Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.
19
Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.
20
And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
21
So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThen said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah (לֵךְ הִסָּתֵר, lekh histater—"go, hide yourselves"). The urgency is clear: סָתַר (satar, to hide/conceal) in the reflexive form indicates self-concealment. And let no man know where ye be—The princes, knowing Jehoiakim's violent temperament (he murdered the prophet Urijah, 26:23), issue a warning that saves the prophet's and scribe's lives.
This is remarkable: governmental officials who will report to the king simultaneously protect the prophets they're reporting about. Their divided loyalty shows internal conflict—duty to the king versus recognition of divine truth. They cannot embrace the message (no recorded repentance), but neither will they participate in its suppression through violence. This ambiguous middle ground characterizes those who respect God's word intellectually while refusing personal submission.
This is remarkable: governmental officials who will report to the king simultaneously protect the prophets they're reporting about. Their divided loyalty shows internal conflict—duty to the king versus recognition of divine truth. They cannot embrace the message (no recorded repentance), but neither will they participate in its suppression through violence. This ambiguous middle ground characterizes those who respect God's word intellectually while refusing personal submission.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 BC) was marked by violence, injustice, and persecution of prophets. He had built his palace with forced labor and shed innocent blood (22:13-17). The princes' warning reflects their insider knowledge of the king's murderous intentions. Hiding prophets during persecution would become a pattern (1 Kings 18:4, 13; Hebrews 11:38).
Reflection Questions
- How do you respond when you recognize biblical truth but find submission to it personally costly?
- What does this passage teach about the complex loyalties believers face when human authority conflicts with divine truth?
- When have you, like these princes, occupied an uncomfortable middle ground between full obedience and outright rebellion against God's word?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 13 wordsוְאִ֥ישׁ9 of 13
“and let no man”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אַל10 of 13
H408not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יֵדַ֖ע11 of 13
“know”
H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
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 36:19 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 36:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge