Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.

JEREMIAH 36:32KJV
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Jeremiah 36:32 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:32 mean?

Jeremiah 36:32 describes how Jeremiah dictated God’s words again to his scribe Baruch after King Jehoiakim had burned the first scroll, and Baruch wrote down all the original words along with many similar additional words. This shows that the message was not lost, but instead, it was preserved and even expanded.

Jeremiah, the prophet, is speaking to Baruch, his scribe, in a time when King Jehoiakim of Judah had destroyed the first scroll containing God’s warnings and messages. In response, Jeremiah tells Baruch to write a new scroll, repeating everything that had been burned and adding more words like them. The verse highlights the determination to keep God’s message alive despite opposition from the king.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:32

  • "roll" (מְגִלָּה, megillah): This word refers to a scroll, the common form for written documents in ancient Israel. The use of "another roll" shows a deliberate act of replacing what was lost.
  • "wrote" (וַיִּכְתֹּב, vayyiktov): This verb makes clear that Baruch is physically writing down Jeremiah’s words, emphasizing the process of careful recording.
  • "added" (וַיּוֹסֶף, vayyōsef): This word means to increase or add more, showing that the second scroll contained not only the original content but also additional words, making the new scroll even fuller than the first.

Why Jeremiah 36:32 matters

  • Jeremiah 36:32 clarifies that destroying God’s message does not erase it; instead, it can lead to its preservation and even expansion.
  • The verse emphasizes the faithfulness of Jeremiah and Baruch in recording God’s words, even when faced with royal opposition.
  • This moment connects to the wider chapter, showing a pattern of resistance to God’s warnings and the persistence required to keep those warnings available for the people.