But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.

JEREMIAH 36:26KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 36:26 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:26 mean?

Jeremiah 36:26 describes how King Jehoiakim ordered several of his officials to arrest Baruch, the scribe, and Jeremiah, the prophet, but the LORD protected them by hiding them. The verse shows that even though the king tried to stop Jeremiah and Baruch, God intervened to keep them safe.

In this scene, the king is angry after hearing the words Jeremiah dictated to Baruch and wants to silence both men. The officials named—Jerahmeel, Seraiah, and Shelemiah—are sent to capture them, but their mission fails because God actively shields Jeremiah and Baruch from harm. This moment highlights the real danger Jeremiah and Baruch faced for delivering God’s message and the way God’s protection can override royal authority.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:26

  • The word for "hid" is הִסְתִּיר (histir), which means to conceal or keep out of sight. This word emphasizes that God's protection was not just passive but involved actively making Jeremiah and Baruch unfindable.
  • The word for "take" is לָקַח (laqach), which means to seize or capture. The officials were not just to summon Jeremiah and Baruch, but to physically apprehend them, showing the seriousness of the king’s intent.
  • The title "the LORD" is יְהוָה (YHWH, often pronounced Yahweh), the personal name of Israel’s God, highlighting that it was specifically Israel’s God who intervened, not just a general sense of divine help.

Why Jeremiah 36:26 matters

  • Jeremiah 36:26 clarifies that the threat against Jeremiah and Baruch was real and immediate, not just a vague opposition, which helps readers understand the courage involved in their actions.
  • The verse shows a direct contrast between human authority (the king’s command) and divine authority (the LORD’s protection), underlining a theme that runs throughout Jeremiah’s ministry.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing that God’s message will not be silenced, even when powerful people try to suppress it, setting up the continuation of Jeremiah’s prophetic work despite opposition.

Where else these words appear

“Hammelech” Hebrew H4429 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 8:35 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:41 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz.

“Azriel” Hebrew H5837 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 5:24 And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:

“Jerahmeel” Hebrew H3396 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him; Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:26 Jerahmeel had also another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:33 And the sons of Jonathan; Peleth, and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.

“Shelemiah” Hebrew H8018 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Nehemiah 3:30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
  • Jeremiah 37:3 And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.