Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

36:1 fourth year. Probably in 605 b.c., prior to Babylon's forcing Judah to become its vassal (2 Kings 24:1) and also prior to Babylon taking captives from Judah (Dan. 1:1-4).

36:2 scroll. See 32:9-15. all the words . . . from the days of Josiah until today. From 627 to 605 b.c. (1:1-3).

36:3 God's merciful purpose in sending his written word was to lead Judah to repentance (35:12-15) so they could avoid the consequences of their covenant disobedience. On the wordplay with disaster and evil, see note on 1:13-14.

36:4 Baruch (see 32:12-16) was Jeremiah's friend and fellow servant of God (36:32; 45:1-5). Jeremiah dictated the words for the scroll to Baruch. A seal with the name "Berachyahu son of Neriyahu the scribe" has been found; this may be Jeremiah's Baruch.

36:5 banned from . . . the house of the Lord. For some unspecified reason, but perhaps for his preaching about the temple. See 7:1-8:3; 26:1-24.

36:6 you are to go. Evidence of Baruch's commitment to God and his word. day of fasting. Usually called in times of emergency (see Joel 2:15-17), perhaps on the occasion of the Babylonian invasion of 605 b.c. (Jer. 36:1). read the words. As Jeremiah's emissary, Baruch was to make a public proclamation of God's warning.

36:7 their plea for mercy. Prayers for deliverance from Babylon as part of Judah's day of fasting. turn from his evil way (cf. v. 3). It is vain to pray for deliverance unaccompanied by repentance (7:9-15).

36:8-10 Baruch obeyed Jeremiah's orders. fifth year . . . ninth month. December 604 b.c. a fast. See v. 6. chamber. See 35:2-4. upper court. Above the courtyards where the people gathered. New Gate. Where the officials gathered to decide cases. See 26:10. In one of the four-room domestic buildings from the seventh-sixth centuries b.c. a cache of 50 bullae (round seals, often made of clay) for sealing documents was found. One of the bullae included the seal impression of Gemaryahu (a variant spelling of Gemariah), the son of Shaphan.

36:11 Micaiah the son of Gemariah. Gemariah was probably the brother of Ahikam, who defended Jeremiah in 26:24, and the uncle of Gedaliah, who guarded Jeremiah in 39:14.

36:12-13 For reasons not mentioned, Micaiah was anxious for the king's officials to know Jeremiah's words.

36:14-16 Upon hearing the words, the officials want Jehoiakim to hear them as well. fear. Probably due to their fear of God's judgment, but possibly due to the appearance of treason.

36:17-19 Once again (cf. 26:16-24) the officials show concern for preserving the lives of Jeremiah and Baruch.

36:22 ninth month. See v. 9. winter house. Rooms set aside in the inner house that retained heat (it was December; cf. vv. 8-10). See Amos 3:15. fire pot. Either a portable fire pan or a fixed hearth.

36:23-24 The king and his servants show no regard for God's word. To them the scroll is merely fuel for the fire. To cut . . . off God's words with a knife and burn them showed foolish, haughty disregard for a message from their omnipotent Creator and Judge.

36:25 Elnathan. See 26:22-23. Gemariah. See 29:3.

36:26 king's son. Since Jehoiakim was only about 30 years old at this time (v. 1; 2 Kings 23:36), the phrase probably means a favored or special servant of the king (Jer. 36:8). the Lord hid them. Probably using human agents, as in 26:24.

36:29 Jehoiakim burned the scroll because he did not believe Babylon's invasion would succeed (7:1-15; 26:9).

36:30 Because of his disregard for God's word, Jehoiakim will have no heir to succeed him and will not receive a respectable burial (22:18-19). This judgment is fulfilled in 37:1.

36:31 would not hear. Would not obey (cf. Deut. 6:4-9).

36:32 Jeremiah obeys God's command to make a second papyrus scroll (vv. 27-28). many similar words. Jeremiah expanded his messages, but the manner in which he did so is unstated.