King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:20 in the King James Version says “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 a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 36:20 · KJV

Context

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.

22

Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The princes' caution in depositing the scroll (Hebrew paqad, פָּקַד, meaning to entrust or deposit for safekeeping) before approaching Jehoiakim reveals their awareness of the king's volatile temperament. They reported the scroll's content orally rather than bringing it directly to the king—a prudent decision given what follows.

The phrase in the ears of the king (be'ozne hammelek, בְּאָזְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ) emphasizes oral proclamation and the king's hearing, creating dramatic tension: will Jehoiakim respond like his father Josiah, who tore his garments in repentance upon hearing God's word (2 Kings 22:11-13)? The princes' intermediary role shows a measured approach—they understood the scroll's weight but feared the king's wrath. Their placing it in Elishama's chamber rather than presenting it directly foreshadows the coming confrontation. This moment captures the tension between divine authority (God's written word through Jeremiah) and human authority (the king's power to accept or reject it).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred in 605/604 BC, during Jehoiakim's fourth year (v. 1), shortly after Nebuchadnezzar's first invasion and Judah's vassalage to Babylon. The princes who heard Baruch read the scroll included members of the royal court who still maintained some fear of the LORD. Their caution reflected the political reality: Jehoiakim was a king installed by Egypt (2 Kings 23:34-35), who taxed his people heavily and built lavish projects through forced labor (Jeremiah 22:13-17). Unlike his godly father Josiah, Jehoiakim despised prophetic critique and had already killed the prophet Uriah for speaking against Jerusalem (Jeremiah 26:20-23). The princes' decision to store the scroll safely and report its contents verbally shows they anticipated the king's hostility while trying to preserve both the message and the messengers.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the princes' caution in approaching the king teach about wisdom in presenting difficult truth to those in authority?
  2. How does the contrast between Jehoiakim's expected response and Josiah's repentant response illustrate differing postures toward God's word?
  3. In what ways might we show similar caution or courage when confronting powerful people with biblical truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ1 of 16

“And they went in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ3 of 16

“of the king”

H4428

a king

חָצֵ֔רָה4 of 16

“into the court”

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

וְאֶת5 of 16
H853

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

הַמְּגִלָּ֣ה6 of 16

“the roll”

H4039

a roll

הִפְקִ֔דוּ7 of 16

“but they laid up”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

בְּלִשְׁכַּ֖ת8 of 16

“in the chamber”

H3957

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

אֱלִישָׁמָ֣ע9 of 16

“of Elishama”

H476

elishama, the name of seven israelites

הַסֹּפֵ֑ר10 of 16

“the scribe”

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

וַיַּגִּ֙ידוּ֙11 of 16

“and told”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

בְּאָזְנֵ֣י12 of 16

“in the ears”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ13 of 16

“of the king”

H4428

a king

אֵ֖ת14 of 16
H853

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

כָּל15 of 16
H3605

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

הַדְּבָרִֽים׃16 of 16

“all the words”

H1697

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

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 36:20 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 36:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 36:12Jeremiah 36:21

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