King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:27 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:27 in the King James Version says “Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,”

Jeremiah 36:27 · KJV

Context

25

Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.

26

But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them. of Hammelech: or, of the king

27

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,

28

Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.

29

And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, The emphatic the word of the LORD came (wayehi devar-YHWH, וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה) immediately following the scroll's destruction demonstrates that God's word cannot be silenced by human opposition. The king burned the megillah (scroll), but the davar (word, message, revelation) continues uninterrupted. This distinction is crucial: the physical medium may be destroyed, but the divine message remains vital and active.

The phrase which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah (asher katav Baruch mippi Yirmeyahu, אֲשֶׁר כָּתַב בָּרוּךְ מִפִּי יִרְמְיָהוּ) emphasizes the divine origin of the scroll's content. "From the mouth of Jeremiah" indicates these weren't Baruch's opinions or Jeremiah's private thoughts, but God's revealed word spoken through the prophet and transcribed by the scribe. The scroll's destruction, therefore, wasn't merely an attack on a document but a direct assault on divine revelation. God's immediate response—speaking again to Jeremiah—proves the futility of opposing His purposes. Isaiah 40:8 declares, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The interval between the scroll's burning (v. 23) and God's response to Jeremiah was likely brief—perhaps the same day or shortly after. The scenario demonstrates the prophetic process: God speaks, the prophet receives and proclaims, the scribe records, and opposition attempts to silence—but God speaks again, ensuring His message persists. This pattern appears throughout biblical history: Moses' tablets were broken but rewritten (Exodus 34:1), prophets were killed but God raised up others, and ultimately, when religious authorities killed Jesus (the Word incarnate), God raised Him from the dead. The immediate renewal of prophetic revelation after the scroll's destruction would have been deeply encouraging to the faithful remnant who feared Jehoiakim had successfully suppressed God's word. It also set up the devastating judgment about to be pronounced on the king.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the immediate resumption of God's word after the scroll's destruction teach about the indestructibility of divine revelation?
  2. How does this verse encourage us when it seems that opposition has silenced biblical truth or shut down gospel proclamation?
  3. In what ways does the phrase 'at the mouth of Jeremiah' emphasize the divine rather than human origin of Scripture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיְהִ֥י1 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַדְּבָרִ֔ים2 of 18

“Then the word”

H1697

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

יְהוָ֖ה3 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶֽל4 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ5 of 18

“came to Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

אַחֲרֵ֣י׀6 of 18

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שְׂרֹ֣ף7 of 18

“had burned”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ8 of 18

“that the king”

H4428

a king

אֶת9 of 18
H853

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

הַמְּגִלָּה֙10 of 18

“the roll”

H4039

a roll

וְאֶת11 of 18
H853

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

הַדְּבָרִ֔ים12 of 18

“Then the word”

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר13 of 18
H834

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

כָּתַ֥ב14 of 18

“wrote”

H3789

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

בָּר֛וּךְ15 of 18

“which Baruch”

H1263

baruk, the name of three israelites

מִפִּ֥י16 of 18

“at the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ17 of 18

“came to Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

לֵאמֹֽר׃18 of 18

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

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 36:27 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 36:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 36:4

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 36 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 36 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes