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 36:8KJV
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Jeremiah 36:8 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:8 mean?

Jeremiah 36:8 describes how Baruch, the son of Neriah, faithfully carried out everything the prophet Jeremiah told him to do by reading aloud the words of the LORD, as written in the scroll, in the LORD’s temple. This verse shows Baruch acting as Jeremiah’s messenger, making sure God’s message was heard in a public and sacred place.

In this setting, Jeremiah is unable to go to the temple himself, so he instructs Baruch to read the words he dictated. Baruch obeys completely, reading the scroll in the temple where people gathered to worship. The verse highlights Baruch’s trustworthiness and the seriousness with which both men treat the words they believe come from God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:8

  • בָּרוּךְ (Baruch): This name means "blessed," and he is identified here as the son of נֵרִיָּה (Neriah). The verse emphasizes Baruch’s role as a faithful assistant, not just a scribe but an active participant in delivering God’s message.
  • קָרָא (qara’, “reading”): This word often means to call out or proclaim. Here, it stresses that Baruch did not just read silently but proclaimed the message aloud for all present in the temple to hear.
  • בֵּית (beit, “house”): Refers to the temple, the central place of worship. The public setting underlines the importance and intended audience of the message—this was not a private reading but a public declaration.

Why Jeremiah 36:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jeremiah’s message was not kept private but was meant to be heard by the people gathered at the temple, showing the public nature of prophetic warnings.
  • It highlights Baruch’s obedience and reliability, showing that he did exactly as Jeremiah commanded, which is important for understanding the chain of communication in this chapter.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the events that follow, where the reading of the scroll in the temple leads to further reactions from the leaders and the people.

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.

“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 36:5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:
  • 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.