King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:28 in the King James Version says “Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 36:28 · KJV

Context

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?

30

Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. God's command to replicate the destroyed scroll demonstrates the permanence and authority of divine revelation. The phrase "all the former words" (kol-hadevariym harishonim) emphasizes complete restoration—nothing of God's message is lost despite human opposition. This affirms the doctrine of Scripture's preservation through divine providence.

The specific mention of "Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned" assigns responsibility and foreshadows judgment. Royal authority, which should have protected and honored God's word, instead attacked it. This covenant violation would bring specific consequences (verses 30-31). The contrast between divine and human authority is stark: the king burns the scroll; God commands its rewriting. Human power proves impotent against divine purposes.

Theologically, this verse teaches: (1) God's word is eternal and indestructible (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:24-25); (2) opposition to Scripture brings judgment on the opposer, not elimination of the message; (3) God providentially ensures His word's preservation across generations; (4) human rejection doesn't alter divine truth. The Reformation principle of Scripture's self-authentication finds support here—God's word validates itself despite human response.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The rewriting process would have been laborious. Ancient scrolls required careful preparation of writing materials, precise scribal technique, and significant time investment. That God commanded complete replication, not summary, underscores the importance of preserving His exact words. Each phrase matters; nothing is expendable.

This event established a precedent for Scripture's preservation. When later manuscripts wore out or were destroyed, careful copying preserved the text. The remarkable consistency among Hebrew manuscripts (evidenced by Dead Sea Scrolls matching medieval Masoretic texts) demonstrates the scribal community's reverence for exact preservation—perhaps influenced by this very incident. God's command to Jeremiah became the model for all subsequent Scripture preservation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the labor-intensive process of hand-copying Scripture increase your appreciation for the Bible's preservation?
  2. In what ways does God's insistence on preserving His exact words inform how carefully we should handle biblical interpretation?
  3. How does Scripture's indestructibility encourage you when contemporary culture dismisses or attacks biblical truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
שׁ֥וּב1 of 21

“thee again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

קַח2 of 21

“Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לְךָ֖3 of 21
H0
הַמְּגִלָּה֙4 of 21

“roll”

H4039

a roll

אַחֶ֑רֶת5 of 21

“another”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וּכְתֹ֣ב6 of 21

“and write”

H3789

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

עָלֶ֗יהָ7 of 21
H5921

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

אֵ֤ת8 of 21
H853

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

כָּל9 of 21
H3605

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

הַדְּבָרִים֙10 of 21

“words”

H1697

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

הָרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה11 of 21

“in it all the former”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 21
H834

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

הָי֗וּ13 of 21
H1961

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

עַל14 of 21
H5921

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

הַמְּגִלָּה֙15 of 21

“roll”

H4039

a roll

הָרִ֣אשֹׁנָ֔ה16 of 21

“in it all the former”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 21
H834

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

שָׂרַ֖ף18 of 21

“hath burned”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

יְהוֹיָקִ֥ים19 of 21

“which Jehoiakim”

H3079

jehojakim, a jewish king

מֶֽלֶךְ20 of 21

“the king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָֽה׃21 of 21

“of Judah”

H3063

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

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 36:28 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 36:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 1:5-6Jeremiah 28:13-14Jeremiah 44:28Job 23:13Matthew 24:352 Timothy 2:13

Test Your Knowledge

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

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