And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.

JEREMIAH 36:20KJV
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Jeremiah 36:20 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:20 mean?

Jeremiah 36:20 describes how officials went to the king’s court to report what they had heard from a scroll, but first they stored the scroll safely in the room of Elishama the scribe. The verse shows that the officials took care to protect the scroll before telling the king all the words they had heard.

The setting is during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. Jeremiah had dictated God’s message to Baruch, who wrote it on a scroll and read it to the officials. After hearing the message, the officials decided to inform the king but made sure to leave the scroll in a secure place, possibly to keep it safe from destruction or tampering. This moment highlights their caution and the seriousness with which they treated Jeremiah’s prophetic message.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:20

  • "roll" (מְגִלָּה, megillah): This word refers to a scroll, the common format for written documents in ancient Israel. The use of "megillah" emphasizes the physical object containing Jeremiah’s prophecy, not just spoken words.
  • "chamber" (לִשְׁכָּה, lishkah): This means a room or chamber, here specifically the office or storage area of Elishama the scribe. The mention of this location shows the officials intentionally placed the scroll in a trusted, official space.
  • "scribe" (סֹפֵר, sofer): The scribe was an important official responsible for recording and preserving documents. Naming Elishama as the scribe underlines the scroll’s official handling and the seriousness of the situation.

Why Jeremiah 36:20 matters

  • Jeremiah 36:20 clarifies that the officials did not immediately bring the scroll to the king, but instead protected it, suggesting they anticipated possible danger or destruction.
  • The verse highlights the respected role of scribes and the careful handling of prophetic writings in ancient Judah, showing these messages were not treated lightly.
  • This detail connects to the wider story, where King Jehoiakim later destroys the scroll, making the officials’ initial caution significant in understanding the tension and risks surrounding Jeremiah’s message.