King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:9 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they procla...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.”

Jeremiah 36:9 · KJV

Context

7

It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people. they: Heb. their supplication shall fail

8

And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house.

9

And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.

10

Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house, in the ears of all the people. entry: or, door

11

When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the fifth year of Jehoiakim...in the ninth month—This dates the event to December 604 BC, approximately nine months after the initial dictation (v.1, fourth year). They proclaimed a fast before the LORD (קָרְאוּ־צוֹם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, qar'u-tzom lifnei YHWH)—A national fast suggested crisis, likely fear of Babylonian invasion after Nebuchadnezzar's recent victories. Fasting without repentance, however, is religious theater.

The irony is profound: the people gather for a solemn assembly seeking God's favor while actively rejecting His word through Jeremiah. The ninth month (Kislev) was winter, when travel was difficult—suggesting genuine alarm. Yet outward religiosity divorced from covenant faithfulness is the essence of hypocrisy that prophets consistently condemned.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This fast occurred just months after Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt at Carchemish (605 BC), establishing Babylon as the dominant power. Jehoiakim had become Babylon's vassal but would foolishly rebel three years later. Fasts in Israel were called during national emergencies, military threats, or seeking divine guidance in crisis.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you engaged in religious activities while refusing to obey God's clear commands?
  2. How does this passage expose the danger of substituting ritual observance for genuine repentance?
  3. What modern equivalents exist to Judah's "fasting without listening" to God's prophetic word?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 23
H1961

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

בַשָּׁנָ֣ה2 of 23

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַ֠חֲמִשִׁית3 of 23

“And it came to pass in the fifth”

H2549

fifth; also a fifth

לִיהוֹיָקִ֨ים4 of 23

“of Jehoiakim”

H3079

jehojakim, a jewish king

בֶּן5 of 23

“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

יֹאשִׁיָּ֤הוּ6 of 23

“of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 23

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֖ה8 of 23

“of Judah”

H3063

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

בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ9 of 23

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַתְּשִׁעִ֔י10 of 23

“in the ninth”

H8671

ninth

קָרְא֨וּ11 of 23

“that they proclaimed”

H7121

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

צ֜וֹם12 of 23

“a fast”

H6685

a fast

לִפְנֵ֧י13 of 23

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֛ה14 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

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

כָּל15 of 23
H3605

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

הָעָ֗ם16 of 23

“and to all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃17 of 23

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְכָל18 of 23
H3605

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

הָעָ֗ם19 of 23

“and to all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַבָּאִ֛ים20 of 23

“that came”

H935

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

מֵעָרֵ֥י21 of 23

“from the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֖ה22 of 23

“of Judah”

H3063

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

בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃23 of 23

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 36:9 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 36:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 20:3Esther 4:16Jonah 3:5Jeremiah 36:22Joel 2:12-17Jeremiah 36:1

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 36 →

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