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.

JEREMIAH 36:10KJV
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Jeremiah 36:10 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:10 mean?

Jeremiah 36:10 describes Baruch reading aloud the words of Jeremiah from a scroll in the temple, specifically in the chamber of Gemariah, so that all the people present could hear. This public reading took place at the entrance of the new gate of the LORD’s house, making Jeremiah’s message accessible to everyone gathered there.

Baruch, acting as Jeremiah’s scribe, is reading Jeremiah’s dictated words during a significant religious gathering. The verse highlights the specific location—the chamber of Gemariah son of Shaphan, a scribe, in the higher court near the new gate of the temple—showing the message was delivered in a prominent, official setting. This event sets the stage for the wider spread of Jeremiah’s warning to the people of Judah.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:10

  • "read" (קָרָא, qara): This word means to call out or proclaim, emphasizing that Baruch was not just reading quietly but making a public declaration.
  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): Refers to a scroll or written document, highlighting that Jeremiah’s words were carefully recorded and preserved for public reading.
  • "chamber" (לִשְׁכָּה, lishkah): Indicates a specific room or space within the temple complex, suggesting an official or respected setting for the reading.
  • "ears" (אָזֶן, ozen): This word is often used to mean “hearing” or “attention,” underlining that the message was meant for everyone present to listen and take seriously.

Why Jeremiah 36:10 matters

  • Jeremiah 36:10 shows that Jeremiah’s message was not kept private but was shared publicly in a way that could reach many people, including leaders and ordinary worshippers.
  • The verse highlights the use of written words (the scroll) and a trusted scribe (Baruch), showing the care taken to preserve and accurately deliver Jeremiah’s prophecy.
  • By naming Gemariah and the specific location, the verse connects the event to known figures and places in Jerusalem, grounding the story in real history and making the message harder to ignore or dismiss.

Where else these words appear

“Gemariah” Hebrew H1587 · used in 5 verses

  • Jeremiah 29:3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah,(whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
  • Jeremiah 36:11 When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,
  • Jeremiah 36:12 Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

“Baruch” Hebrew H1263 · used in 24 verses

  • Nehemiah 3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
  • Jeremiah 36:5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:
  • Jeremiah 36:19 Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.

“Shaphan” Hebrew H8227 · used in 28 verses

  • Leviticus 11:5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.
  • Jeremiah 36:11 When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,

“chamber” Hebrew H3957 · used in 41 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
  • Nehemiah 13:5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
  • Ezekiel 41:10 And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.