Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.

JEREMIAH 36:4KJV
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Jeremiah 36:4 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:4 mean?

Jeremiah 36:4 describes how the prophet Jeremiah called for Baruch, the son of Neriah, to write down all the words that Jeremiah spoke from the LORD onto a scroll. This verse shows the process by which Jeremiah’s prophecies were recorded, with Baruch serving as his scribe.

In this scene, Jeremiah is not writing himself but dictating God’s messages to Baruch, who carefully writes them on a scroll (an early form of a book). This act is important because it preserves Jeremiah’s prophecies in written form, making sure that what God had spoken to Jeremiah could be shared, read aloud, and remembered by others. The verse highlights the teamwork between the prophet and his scribe during a time when Jeremiah was not free to go to the temple himself.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:4

  • “Roll” (מְגִלָּה, megillah): This word means a scroll, which was the common way to record lengthy texts before books as we know them. The use of a scroll emphasizes the care and formality in preserving these words.
  • “Book” (סֵפֶר, sefer): While translated as “book,” this word often refers to any written document or scroll. Here, it shows that Jeremiah’s words were being formally documented, not just spoken.
  • “Wrote” (כָּתַב, kathav): This verb makes clear that Baruch was not just listening but actively writing down every word Jeremiah dictated, underlining the accuracy and seriousness of the task.

Why Jeremiah 36:4 matters

  • Jeremiah 36:4 clears up that the book of Jeremiah was not written by Jeremiah alone but involved Baruch as a faithful scribe, which helps explain the structure and style of the book.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of preserving God’s words in writing, showing that spoken prophecy was meant to be remembered and shared with future generations.
  • This verse sets the stage for the events that follow in the chapter, where the written scroll plays a central role in delivering God’s message to the people and leaders of Judah.

Where else these words appear

“Neriah” Hebrew H5374 · used in 10 verses

  • Jeremiah 32:12 And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
  • 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 43:6 Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.

“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;

“Baruch” Hebrew H1263 · used in 24 verses

  • Nehemiah 3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
  • Jeremiah 36:8 And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house.
  • Jeremiah 36:19 Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.