Jeremiah 36:1-10

Why is the warning written and read publicly?

Berean Standard Bible

1 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you during the reign of Josiah until today. 3 Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the calamity I plan to bring upon them, each of them will turn from his wicked way. Then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.” 4 So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and at the dictation of Jeremiah, Baruch wrote on a scroll all the words that the LORD had spoken to Jeremiah. 5 Then Jeremiah commanded Baruch, “I am restricted; I cannot enter the house of the LORD; 6 so you are to go to the house of the LORD on a day of fasting, and in the hearing of the people you are to read the words of the LORD from the scroll you have written at my dictation. Read them in the hearing of all the people of Judah who are coming from their cities. 7 Perhaps they will bring their petition before the LORD, and each one will turn from his wicked way; for great are the anger and fury that the LORD has pronounced against this people.” 8 So Baruch son of Neriah did everything that Jeremiah the prophet had commanded him. In the house of the LORD he read the words of the LORD from the scroll. 9 Now in the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, a fast before the LORD was proclaimed to all the people of Jerusalem and all who had come there from the cities of Judah. 10 From the chamber of Gemariah son of Shaphan the scribe, which was in the upper courtyard at the opening of the New Gate of the house of the LORD, Baruch read from the scroll the words of Jeremiah in the hearing of all the people.

What is the context?

The Lord commands Jeremiah to record His words from Josiah’s reign onward, including words about Judah, Israel, and the nations. The stated hope is that hearing the threatened disaster will lead to turning and forgiveness.

Baruch writes at Jeremiah’s dictation. Because Jeremiah cannot enter the temple, Baruch is to read the scroll where the fasting crowd can hear it.

The narration moves from the fourth year’s command to a public reading in the fifth year. The words are meant to reach people from Judah’s towns as well as Jerusalem.

Written preservation serves public hearing and response. Merely possessing the scroll is not the desired end.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley emphasizes recording the earlier revelations and choosing a crowded day for the reading. His proposed balcony or window is a possible arrangement, not a detail the narrative explicitly gives.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

2 Timothy 3:14–17 describes the sacred writings as making people wise for salvation through faith in Christ and equipping them for good work. This is a wider connection with Scripture’s purpose in forming a response to God. It does not make every dictated text inspired or claim that Timothy directly quotes this event.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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