Jeremiah 36:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:15 mean?

Jeremiah 36:15 describes how officials asked Baruch to sit down and read aloud the scroll he had written at Jeremiah’s dictation, so they could hear its contents directly. The verse shows Baruch obeying their request and reading the scroll to them.

The setting is a group of Judean officials who have just heard about the scroll containing Jeremiah’s words. They want to hear exactly what is written, so they invite Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, to read it in their presence. This moment highlights the seriousness with which the officials treat the message and their desire to understand it firsthand.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:15

• "Sit down" comes from יָשַׁב (yashav), which often means to sit or dwell. Here, it shows the officials’ respect, inviting Baruch to take a formal seat as he reads, not just stand and recite.
• "Read" is from קָרָא (qara), meaning to call out or proclaim. The officials want Baruch to read aloud so everyone present can hear clearly.
• "Ears" is from אֹזֶן (ozen), which literally means ears but often refers to attentive listening. The phrase "in our ears" emphasizes that they want to listen carefully and directly to the message.

Why Jeremiah 36:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that the officials wanted to hear Jeremiah’s words exactly as written, showing their concern for accuracy and seriousness about the message.
• The invitation to sit and read signals a formal, respectful setting, not a casual encounter, which highlights the importance of the scroll’s contents.
• This moment sets up the officials’ later reactions and decisions, connecting to the larger story of how Jeremiah’s prophecies were received by Judah’s leaders.