MPV Commentary

Collected in a Volume. The Roll Is Burned by Jehoiakim, and Written Again by Baruch at Jeremiah's Dictation.

The command to write the roll was given in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign, but it wasn't read publicly until the fifth year. Like Isaiah, who included historical accounts to confirm his prophecies (Isaiah 36:1-22; 37:1-38; 38:1-22; 39:1-8), Jeremiah also included a history of events that confirmed his prophecies in chapters 37-43. However, he prefaced this history with an account of an incident that occurred earlier, demonstrating that he had testified to these events not only through word but also in writing, and even twice (Grotius).

At the end of Jehoiakim's third year, Nebuchadnezzar assembled an army against Jerusalem and took it in the fifth or sixth year, carrying away captive Jehoiakim, Daniel, and others. Jehoiakim returned that same year and was a tributary for three years before withholding tribute. Nebuchadnezzar then returned and took Jerusalem, carrying off Jehoiakim, who died on the road. This account harmonizes with 2 Kings 24:1-20 and Daniel 1:1-21.

The roll of a book was a collection of prepared skins made into a single volume (compare "volume of the book," referring to the Pentateuch in Psalm 40:7). It doesn't imply that Jeremiah's prophecies weren't previously written down; rather, they were now compiled together in one continuous volume for public reading in the temple.

Hear and consider seriously these words. Return from your evil ways (compare Jonah 3:8).

All the words of the Lord are spoken by God himself, suggesting what might otherwise have escaped our memory and directing the choice of words (John 14:26; 16:13).

I am shut up – not in prison, as there is no account of Jeremiah's imprisonment under Jehoiakim. However, he was prevented from speaking due to some hindrance or fear of the king, who was less likely to anger Baruch, the author of the prophecy.

Go on and read this publicly next year (Jeremiah 36:9).

This was an extraordinary fast in the ninth month, appointed to avert the impending calamity. The Jews feared that Nebuchadnezzar, having defeated Pharaoh-necho at Carchemish the previous year, would attack Judea as Egypt's ally (2 Kings 23:34-35). This fast provided an opportunity for Jeremiah to reach more people and find them in a softened state.

Present your supplication – literally, "supplication shall fall" – alluding to the prostrate attitude of those petitioning God (Deuteronomy 9:25; Matthew 26:39).

They proclaimed a fast to all the people, with the chiefs appointing it at the people's request. The ungodly king had no part in this decision.

Baruch read from the window or balcony of the chamber overlooking the court where the people were assembled (compare Nehemiah 13:5). Some chambers were large enough to contain a considerable number of people.

Gemariah, Shaphan, and Elnathan were present, along with other officials. They were likely in the higher court, that of the priests, rather than the lower court of the people (2 Chronicles 4:9).

The princes, including Hananiah, the false prophet, held a counsel of state at this time.

Jehudi, from a good family but in a subordinate position, was sent to Jeremiah with a message. Instead of requiring Baruch to come to them, they should have gone to the temple and professed their penitence (compare Calvin).

They were afraid, turning to one another in fear-stricken terror (compare Genesis 42:28). This showed some degree of fear of God but not enough to make them willing to sacrifice the favor of an earthly king.

We will surely tell the king – implying that the matter is of such moment that the king should be made aware of it, so he can seek a remedy against divine anger.

They wanted to know whether Baruch had written from memory after hearing Jeremiah repeat his prophecies or accurately from the prophet's own dictation.

Baruch replied that it was by the oral dictation of the prophet (compare Jeremiah 36:2).

The roll was laid up in the chamber for safekeeping, along with other public records. Jehudi seems to have been the king's tool for evil.

Jehoiakim had no grown-up son at this time; Jeconiah, his successor, was a boy of eleven (compare 2 Kings 23:36 and 24:8).

The roll was burned in the winter house, with the stove burning before him. The king cut asunder three or four leaves of the roll each time Jehudi read them, until all the parts were cut and burnt.

The king and his servants were more hardened than the princes and counselors (compare Jeremiah 36:12; 14; 16). This contrasts with Josiah's humble fear when the law was read (2 Kings 22:11).

Though God would have drawn Jehoiakim back through their intercession, he persisted in his sin. This demonstrates judicial blindness and reprobation.

Jehoiakim hid the words of Jeremiah, but it is in vain for the ungodly to resist the power of Jehovah; not one of His words shall fall to the ground (Matthew 5:18; Acts 9:5; 5:39).

Say to Jehoiakim – not in person, as Jeremiah was hidden – that he shall have none to sit upon the throne. This prophecy was fulfilled (2 Kings 24:8 and following; 25:1-30). He had successors but not directly from his posterity.

His dead body will be cast out, and his descendants will face a similar fate (Jeremiah 22:18-19).

The variations of temperature in the East between night and day are often extreme (Genesis 31:40).

Sinners gain nothing but additional punishment by setting aside the word of Jehovah. The law was similarly rewritten after the first tables were broken due to Israel's idolatry (Exodus 32:19; 34:1).