King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:2 in the King James Version says “Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Jud...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 36:2 · 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.

4

Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The Hebrew megillat-sefer ("roll of a book") refers to a leather or papyrus scroll, the standard writing medium of antiquity. God's command to write represents a pivotal moment in redemptive history—the transition from oral prophecy to written Scripture, ensuring the message's preservation beyond the prophet's lifetime.

The comprehensive scope is striking: "all the words... against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations." This encompasses twenty-three years of prophetic ministry (from Josiah's thirteenth year, 627 BCE, to Jehoiakim's fourth year, 605 BCE). The inclusion of both Israel (northern kingdom, already fallen to Assyria in 722 BCE) and Judah (southern kingdom, still standing) plus "all nations" reveals God's universal sovereignty. His word addresses not only covenant people but all humanity.

Theologically, this verse establishes: (1) Scripture's divine origin—these are God's words, not human composition; (2) the necessity of written revelation for preservation and transmission; (3) God's comprehensive address to all peoples, not ethnic favoritism; and (4) the historical specificity of revelation—it comes in real time to real situations. The Reformed principle of sola Scriptura roots ultimately in moments like this, where God commands His word be written and preserved.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The practice of writing prophetic oracles on scrolls was not unique to Jeremiah, but this passage provides rare insight into the process. Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe (verse 4), would use reed pens and iron-based ink on treated leather or papyrus. Archaeological discoveries of ostraca (pottery fragments with writing) and seals from Jeremiah's period confirm the literacy and writing practices described in the biblical text.

The command to compile twenty-three years of oracles suggests these messages had been preserved (likely through memorization and oral transmission) but now required permanent written form. This coincides with the crisis moment when Babylon's rise made exile imminent. The written word would accompany God's people into exile, sustaining them when temple worship ceased and prophetic voices fell silent. This foreshadows the central role of Scripture in forming Jewish and Christian identity during diaspora.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Scripture's divine origin (God's command to write His words) shape your approach to reading and applying the Bible?
  2. In what ways has written Scripture sustained God's people during times when other forms of religious expression were unavailable?
  3. How does the twenty-three-year span of Jeremiah's recorded ministry encourage patience in your own witness and ministry?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
קַח1 of 27

“Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לְךָ֮2 of 27
H0
מְגִלַּת3 of 27

“thee a roll”

H4039

a roll

סֵפֶר֒4 of 27

“of a book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

וְכָתַבְתָּ֣5 of 27

“and write”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

אֵלֶ֗יהָ6 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֵ֣ת7 of 27
H853

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

כָּל8 of 27
H3605

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

הַדְּבָרִ֞ים9 of 27

“therein all the words”

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁר10 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי11 of 27

“I spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶ֛יךָ12 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַל13 of 27
H5921

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל14 of 27

“unto thee against Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְעַל15 of 27
H5921

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

יְהוּדָ֖ה16 of 27

“and against Judah”

H3063

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

וְעַל17 of 27
H5921

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

כָּל18 of 27
H3605

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

הַגּוֹיִ֑ם19 of 27

“and against all the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הַיּ֥וֹם20 of 27

“even unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי21 of 27

“I spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙22 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיּ֥וֹם23 of 27

“even unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יֹאשִׁיָּ֔הוּ24 of 27

“of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

וְעַ֖ד25 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם26 of 27

“even unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃27 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 36:2 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 36:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 30:2Jeremiah 25:3Jeremiah 36:6Exodus 17:14Jeremiah 1:10Jeremiah 36:23

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