Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

JEREMIAH 36:6KJV
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Jeremiah 36:6 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:6 mean?

Jeremiah 36:6 instructs Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, to go to the temple and read aloud the words that Jeremiah dictated, which are written on a scroll, so that all the people gathered for a special fasting day—and anyone from Judah who comes—can hear them. This verse shows Jeremiah’s message being delivered publicly, even though Jeremiah himself cannot go.

Jeremiah is speaking to Baruch because Jeremiah is restricted from entering the temple. Baruch is told to read the scroll (the “roll”) containing the words Jeremiah spoke from God’s mouth. The setting is a public fast day at the temple, when many people from different cities of Judah would be present, making it a strategic moment to reach a wide audience with God’s message.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:6

  • “Roll” (מְגִלָּה, megillah): This word refers to a scroll, the common way of recording and reading texts in ancient Israel. The use of a scroll emphasizes the official and lasting nature of Jeremiah’s message.
  • “Written” (כָּתַב, kathav): This word highlights that Baruch is to read what has been carefully recorded, not just spoken, showing the importance of accuracy and preservation.
  • “Fasting” (צוֹם, tsom): The mention of a fasting day means the temple would be crowded with people seeking God, making it a significant time for the message to be heard by many.

Why Jeremiah 36:6 matters

  • Jeremiah 36:6 clarifies that Jeremiah’s words were not just spoken but written down and meant to be shared with a broad audience, showing the seriousness of the message.
  • The verse shows the cooperation between Jeremiah and Baruch, highlighting how God’s message can reach people even when the prophet himself is prevented from speaking directly.
  • By specifying the fasting day and the presence of people from all over Judah, the verse underscores the urgency and wide-reaching intent of the warning God is giving through Jeremiah.

Where else these words appear

“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;

“fasting” Hebrew H6685 · used in 22 verses

  • 2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
  • Esther 9:31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
  • Jeremiah 36:9 And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.