King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:21 Mean?

“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.”

Jeremiah 36:21 · KJV

Context

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.

23

And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife , and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Jehoiakim's command to fetch the roll (laqach et-hammegillah, לָקַח אֶת־הַמְּגִלָּה) shows he demanded direct confrontation with God's written word. Unlike the princes who approached cautiously, the king summoned the scroll imperiously, as if it were a subject to be interrogated rather than divine revelation to be obeyed.

The reading occurred in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes—creating public witness to both the message and the king's response. Jehudi served as the king's reader, perhaps because Baruch and Jeremiah were already under suspicion. The fact that the scroll was read aloud emphasizes the oral culture of ancient Israel and the public nature of prophetic proclamation. God's word was not private opinion but public declaration demanding response. The scene intensifies: the chamber, the courtiers standing, the scroll unrolling, Jehudi's voice reading judgment, and the king's face as he hears condemnation of his reign and prediction of Babylon's victory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The scroll contained Jeremiah's prophecies from 627 BC (his call) through 605 BC—twenty-three years of warnings against Judah's sin, predictions of Babylonian invasion, and calls to repentance. It likely included harsh condemnations of Jehoiakim's injustice (22:13-19) and declarations that submission to Babylon was God's will (27:1-11). For a king who had already killed one prophet and relied on Egyptian alliance rather than trusting God, this scroll represented comprehensive indictment of his entire reign. The public reading before the princes created political pressure—would the king submit to prophetic authority or assert his own power? The setting in the winter palace (v. 22) during the rainy season suggests comfort and luxury, contrasting sharply with the message of coming destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jehoiakim's imperious summoning of the scroll reveal about his attitude toward God's authority?
  2. How does the public reading of God's word create accountability, and why might leaders resist such public proclamation?
  3. In what ways do we sometimes treat Scripture as something to interrogate rather than submit to?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח1 of 21

“sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃2 of 21

“So the king”

H4428

a king

אֶת3 of 21
H853

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

יְהוּדִי֙4 of 21

“And Jehudi”

H3065

jehudi, an israelite

וַיִּ֨קָּחֶ֔הָ5 of 21

“and he took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת6 of 21
H853

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

הַמְּגִלָּ֔ה7 of 21

“the roll”

H4039

a roll

וַיִּ֨קָּחֶ֔הָ8 of 21

“and he took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִלִּשְׁכַּ֖ת9 of 21

“chamber”

H3957

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

אֱלִישָׁמָ֣ע10 of 21

“it out of Elishama”

H476

elishama, the name of seven israelites

הַסֹּפֵ֑ר11 of 21

“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

וַיִּקְרָאֶ֤הָ12 of 21

“read”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

יְהוּדִי֙13 of 21

“And Jehudi”

H3065

jehudi, an israelite

וּבְאָזְנֵי֙14 of 21

“and in the ears”

H241

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

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃15 of 21

“So the king”

H4428

a king

וּבְאָזְנֵי֙16 of 21

“and in the ears”

H241

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

כָּל17 of 21
H3605

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

הַשָּׂרִ֔ים18 of 21

“of all the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הָעֹמְדִ֖ים19 of 21

“which stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

מֵעַ֥ל20 of 21

“beside”

H5921

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

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃21 of 21

“So the king”

H4428

a king

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 36:21 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 36:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 22:102 Chronicles 34:18Ezekiel 2:4-5Jeremiah 36:15Jeremiah 26:2Jeremiah 23:28

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