Jeremiah 36:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:13 mean?

Jeremiah 36:13 describes how Michaiah went and reported everything he had heard when Baruch read Jeremiah’s scroll aloud to the people. Michaiah did not keep what he heard to himself but shared all the words with others in authority.

In this scene, Michaiah is a witness to Baruch’s public reading of Jeremiah’s message—a message written down at Jeremiah’s instruction. After hearing Baruch read the scroll, Michaiah goes to the officials to tell them exactly what was said. This verse shows the message moving from the public square to the leaders, setting up the next steps in the story.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:13

• "Declared" (נָגַד, nagad): This word often means to make something known clearly or to report. Michaiah is not just chatting; he is formally and carefully relaying what he heard, which adds weight to his testimony.
• "Words" (דָּבָר, davar): This term can mean "words," "matters," or "things." Here, it emphasizes that Michaiah is passing on the exact content of Baruch’s reading, not just a summary.
• "Heard" (שָׁמַע, shama): This word means to hear or listen, but it can also imply paying close attention. Michaiah is not a casual listener; he is someone who has taken in the message seriously.
• "Read" (קָרָא, qara): This verb means to read aloud or proclaim. Baruch’s act is public and intentional, meant for everyone present to hear.

Why Jeremiah 36:13 matters

• Jeremiah 36:13 highlights the careful transmission of Jeremiah’s message, showing that it was not just spoken once but deliberately passed along to those in power.
• The verse shows the chain of communication: from God to Jeremiah, to Baruch, to the people, and then to the officials, emphasizing the seriousness and reach of the message.
• This moment sets up the officials’ involvement, which becomes crucial in the following verses as they decide how to respond to Jeremiah’s warning.