So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.

JEREMIAH 36:21KJV
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Jeremiah 36:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:21 mean?

Jeremiah 36:21 describes how King Jehoiakim ordered Jehudi to bring the scroll containing Jeremiah’s words, and Jehudi read it aloud to the king and his officials. This moment shows the king and his advisors directly hearing the prophetic message that had been written down.

The scene takes place in the royal palace, where Jeremiah’s scroll—written by his scribe Baruch—has been kept in the chamber of Elishama the scribe. The king’s command to fetch (bring) the scroll and have it read out loud signals a formal, public hearing of Jeremiah’s message, not just for the king but also for the princes (royal officials) standing by. This sets up the king’s response to God’s warning, which unfolds in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:21

  • roll (מְגִלָּה, megillah): This word means a scroll or rolled-up writing. In this context, it refers to the physical document containing Jeremiah’s prophecies, emphasizing that God’s message was preserved and presented in written form.
  • read (קָרָא, qara’): The verb here means to read aloud or proclaim. The act of reading the scroll in the king’s presence highlights the seriousness and public nature of the message.
  • princes (שַׂר, sar): This word refers to the king’s officials or leaders. Their presence shows that the message was not just for the king but for the broader leadership of Judah.

Why Jeremiah 36:21 matters

  • Jeremiah 36:21 clarifies that the king and his officials were given a fair opportunity to hear God’s warning directly, making their later rejection of the message more significant.
  • The verse highlights the importance of the written word in conveying prophecy, showing that God’s message was not only spoken but also carefully recorded and preserved.
  • This verse connects to the larger narrative, where the king’s reaction to the scroll (which follows in the next verses) becomes a turning point in how the nation responds to God’s call for repentance.

Where else these words appear

“Jehudi” Hebrew H3065 · used in 3 verses

  • Jeremiah 36:14 Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.
  • Jeremiah 36:23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.

“Elishama” Hebrew H476 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 1:10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • 2 Samuel 5:16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:26 Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,

“roll” Hebrew H4039 · used in 19 verses

  • Psalms 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
  • Jeremiah 36:23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
  • Ezekiel 2:9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;

“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.