King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:32 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:32 in the King James Version says “Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth o... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words. like: Heb. as they

Jeremiah 36:32 · KJV


Context

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.

31

And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not. punish: Heb. visit upon

32

Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words. like: Heb. as they


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words. This verse reveals the outcome of divine command—complete restoration plus expansion. The phrase "all the words of the book which Jehoiakim... had burned" confirms nothing was lost. The addition "there were added besides unto them many like words" (venosaph aleihem od devariym rabbiym kahemah) shows that opposing God's word results not in its diminishment but its increase.

The divine irony is rich: Jehoiakim burned the scroll to silence the prophecy, but his action produced an expanded edition with additional warnings. Persecution meant to eliminate God's word instead expanded it. This pattern recurs throughout redemptive history—opposition to Scripture consistently results in its wider dissemination and vindication. The blood of martyrs becomes the seed of the church.

Theologically, this verse establishes: (1) Progressive revelation—God continues speaking, adding to previous revelation; (2) Divine sovereignty over human opposition—God turns rebellion into opportunity for expanded truth; (3) Scripture's organic growth under divine inspiration; (4) The futility of resisting God's purposes. The Reformed understanding of Scripture's authority and sufficiency finds support here—God ensures His word is complete and accessible despite all opposition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The "many like words" likely included the specific judgment prophecies against Jehoiakim recorded in verses 29-31, plus other oracles. This demonstrates that biblical books sometimes grew through such additions under continued inspiration. The final form of Jeremiah we possess contains these divinely commanded supplements, making the book we read richer because of Jehoiakim's opposition.

This historical incident explains some of Jeremiah's compositional complexity—the book doesn't follow strict chronological order but reflects the process of writing, destruction, rewriting, and expansion described here. Archaeological discoveries of ancient manuscripts showing textual variants and additions parallel this biblical example, though only the canonical additions carry divine authority. The preservation of this account within Scripture itself validates the process and assures readers of the Bible's providential formation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing Scripture sometimes grew through such providential processes affect your confidence in the Bible's authority?
  2. In what ways have you seen opposition to biblical truth result in its wider dissemination rather than suppression?
  3. How does this account of progressive revelation inform your understanding of the relationship between Old and New Testaments?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ1 of 30

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

לָקַ֣ח׀2 of 30

Then took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מְגִלָּ֣ה3 of 30

roll

H4039

a roll

אַחֶ֗רֶת4 of 30

another

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַֽיִּתְּנָהּ֮5 of 30

and gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶל6 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּר֣וּךְ7 of 30

it to Baruch

H1263

baruk, the name of three israelites

בֶּן8 of 30

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נֵרִיָּהוּ֮9 of 30

of Neriah

H5374

nerijah, an israelite

הַסֹּפֵר֒10 of 30

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

וַיִּכְתֹּ֤ב11 of 30

who wrote

H3789

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

עָלֶ֙יהָ֙12 of 30
H5921

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

מִפִּ֣י13 of 30

therein from the mouth

H6310

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

יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ14 of 30

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

אֵ֚ת15 of 30
H853

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

כָּל16 of 30
H3605

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

דְּבָרִ֥ים17 of 30

all the words

H1697

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

הַסֵּ֔פֶר18 of 30

of the book

H5612

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 30
H834

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

שָׂרַ֛ף20 of 30

had burned

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

יְהוֹיָקִ֥ים21 of 30

which Jehoiakim

H3079

jehojakim, a jewish king

מֶֽלֶךְ22 of 30

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֖ה23 of 30

of Judah

H3063

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

בָּאֵ֑שׁ24 of 30

in the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְע֨וֹד25 of 30
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

נוֹסַ֧ף26 of 30

and there were added

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם27 of 30
H5921

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

דְּבָרִ֥ים28 of 30

all the words

H1697

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

רַבִּ֖ים29 of 30

besides unto them many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

כָּהֵֽמָּה׃30 of 30

like

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)


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 36:32 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 36:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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