Jeremiah 36:14 - Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, “Take in your hand the scroll in which you have read in the ears of the people, and come.” So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand, and came to them.

Generated Verse: Jeremiah 36:14

What does "Jeremiah 36:14" mean?


This verse from Jeremiah 36:14 describes a specific action taken by the princes of Judah after hearing a scroll read aloud. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch..." This establishes that the princes of Judah, likely officials in the royal court, were concerned or curious about something they had heard. They sent Jehudi, identified with his lineage (son of Nethaniah, grandson of Shelemiah, great-grandson of Cushi), as their messenger to find Baruch. The genealogy is included likely to add weight/importance to Jehudi's position and the seriousness of the errand.

"...saying, “Take in your hand the scroll in which you have read in the ears of the people, and come.” This is the message the princes sent through Jehudi. They wanted Baruch to bring the very scroll that he had used to read to the people. They specify that it is the scroll that he read from, not a copy or another one.

"So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand, and came to them." This describes Baruch's obedience to the princes' request. He immediately took the scroll and went to meet them. This shows Baruch's willingness to comply with the authorities, or perhaps his understanding of the importance of the situation.

In summary, the verse describes:

The princes' reaction to hearing the content of a scroll read aloud by Baruch.
Their request, delivered by Jehudi, for Baruch to bring the original scroll to them.
Baruch's immediate compliance with their request.

Context and Significance:

To fully understand the meaning, it's essential to consider the broader context of Jeremiah 36.

Jeremiah's Prophecies: Jeremiah was a prophet who warned the people of Judah about impending doom due to their disobedience to God.
Dictation and Reading: Jeremiah dictated his prophecies to Baruch, who wrote them down on a scroll. This scroll was then read aloud to the people in the temple.
The Princes' Interest: The princes, hearing the scroll, likely recognized the gravity of Jeremiah's message and wanted to examine the original source to understand it better and determine how to respond. They may have been curious, skeptical, or concerned about the potential repercussions.

The verse sets the stage for the subsequent events in the chapter, where the princes read the scroll themselves and then report its contents to King Jehoiakim, ultimately leading to the king's act of defiance and the scroll's destruction. This verse highlights the importance of the written word and the immediate impact Jeremiah's prophecies had on the leaders of Judah. The princes' desire to see the original scroll underscores the authority associated with the written word and the significance of verifying the source of the message.

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