Jeremiah 36:1

CHAPTER XXXVI

God commands Jeremiah to write down in one roll or volume all

the predictions he had uttered against Israel and Judah, and

all the surrounding nations, from the day of his vocation to

the prophetic office, that the house of Judah might have

abundant warning of the dreadful calamities with which their

country was about to be visited, if not prevented by a timely

repentance, 1-3.

The prophet employs Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, to

write from his mouth all the words of the Lord, and then to

read them publicly upon a fast day in the Lord's house, 4-8.

A general fast is proclaimed in the following year, viz., the

fifth year of the reign of Jeheiakim; upon which occasion

Baruch, in obedience to the prophet's command, reads the words

of Jeremiah to all the people at the entry of the new gate of

the temple, 9, 10.

The princes, hearing of this, send for Baruch, who reads the

roll to them; at the contents of which they are greatly

alarmed, and solemnly resolve to give information to the king,

at the same time advising both the prophet and his scribe to

hide themselves, 11-19.

Jehoiakim likewise having sent for the roll, Jehudi reads to

him a part; and then the king, though advised to the contrary

by some of has princes, having cut the leaves, throws the whole

into the fire, 20-25,

and orders Jeremiah and Baruch to be seized; but they could not

be found, because a special providence of God had concealed

them, 26.

Jeremiah is commanded to re-write his prophecies, and to

denounce the judgments of God against the king who had

destroyed the first roll, 27-31.

Baruch accordingly writes from the mouth of Jeremiah a new

copy, with numerous additions, 32.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXXVI

Verse Jeremiah 36:1. And it came to pass in the fourth year] About the end of this year, see Jeremiah 36:9. This discourse also bears its own date, and was probably delivered at a time when the people enjoyed peace, and were about to celebrate one of their annual fasts.