1Stalo se pak léta čtvrtého Joakima syna Joziášova, krále Judského, stalo se slovo toto k Jeremiášovi od Hospodina, řkoucí: 2Vezmi sobě knihu, a zapiš do ní všecka slova, kteráž jsem mluvil tobě proti Izraelovi, a proti Judovi, i všechněm národům od toho dne, jakž jsem mluvíval s tebou, ode dnů Joziášových, až do dne tohoto, 3Zdali aspoň uslyšíce dům Judský o všem tom zlém, kteréž já myslím učiniti jim, navrátí se jeden každý z cesty své zlé, abych odpustil nepravost jejich a hřích jejich. 4Protož zavolal Jeremiáš Bárucha syna Neriášova, i sepsal Báruch do knihy z úst Jeremiášových všecka slova Hospodinova, kteráž mluvil jemu. 5Potom přikázal Jeremiáš Báruchovi, řka: Já zápověd maje, nemohu jíti do domu Hospodinova. 6Protož jdi ty, a čti v knize této, což jsi napsal z úst mých, slova Hospodinova, při přítomnosti lidu v domě Hospodinově, v den postu, též také při přítomnosti všech Judských, kteříž by se z měst svých sešli, čti je, 7Zda by snad poníženě a pokorně modléce se před Hospodinem, i navrátili by se jeden každý z cesty své zlé; neboť jest veliký hněv a prchlivost, v níž mluvil Hospodin proti lidu tomuto. 8I učinil Báruch syn Neriášův všecko, jakž přikázal jemu Jeremiáš prorok, čta v knize té slova Hospodinova v domě Hospodinově. 9Stalo se pak léta pátého za Joakima syna Joziášova, krále Judského, měsíce devátého, že vyhlásili půst před Hospodinem všemu lidu v Jeruzalémě, a všemu lidu, kteříž se byli sešli z měst Judských do Jeruzaléma. 10I četl Báruch z knihy slova Jeremiášova v domě Hospodinově, v pokoji Gemariáše syna Safanova, písaře, na síni hořejší, u dveří brány domu Hospodinova nové, při přítomnosti všeho lidu. 11Když pak vyslyšel Micheáš syn Gemariášův, syna Safanova, všecka slova Hospodinova z té knihy, 12Hned šel do domu královského, do pokoje kancléřova, a aj, tam všecka knížata seděla: Elisama ten kancléř, a Delaiáš syn Semaiášův, a Elnatan syn Achborův, a Gemariáš syn Safanův, a Sedechiáš syn Chananiášův, i všecka knížata. 13A oznámil jim Micheáš všecka slova, kteráž slyšel, když četl Báruch v knize při přítomnosti lidu. 14Protož poslala všecka knížata k Báruchovi Judu syna Netaniášova, syna Selemiášova, syna Chuzova, aby řekl: Tu knihu, v níž jsi četl při přítomnosti lidu, vezmi do ruky své a poď. I vzal Báruch syn Neriášův tu knihu do ruky své, a přišel k nim. 15Kteříž řekli jemu: Seď medle a čti ji před námi. I četl Báruch před nimi. 16Stalo se pak, když uslyšeli všecka slova ta, že předěšeni byli všickni, a řekli Báruchovi: Jistotně oznámíme králi všecka slova tato. 17Potom otázali se Bárucha, řkouce: Oznam již nám, jak jsi všecka slova ta sepsal z úst jeho? 18Jimž řekl Báruch: Z úst svých pravil mi všecka slova tato, a já psal jsem na knihách černidlem. 19Tedy řekla ta knížata Báruchovi: Jdi schovej se ty i Jeremiáš, ať žádný neví, kde jste. 20Potom vešli k králi na síň, když tu knihu schovati dali v pokoji Elisama kancléře, a oznámili králi všecka slova ta. 21I poslal král Judu, aby vzal tu knihu. Kterýžto vzal ji z pokoje Elisama kancléře, a četl ji Juda při přítomnosti krále, a při přítomnosti všech knížat stojících před králem. 22Král pak seděl v domě, v němž v zimě býval, měsíce devátého, a na ohništi před ním hořelo. 23Tedy stalo se, jakž jen přečtl Juda tři listy neb čtyři, že pořezal ji škriptorálem, a házel na oheň, kterýž byl na ohništi, až shořela všecka kniha ta ohněm tím, kterýž byl na ohništi. 24Ale neulekli se, aniž roztrhl roucha svá král a všickni služebníci jeho, kteříž slyšeli všecka slova ta. 25Nýbrž ještě když Elnatan a Delaiáš a Gemariáš přimlouvali se k králi, aby nepálil té knihy, tedy neuposlechl jich. 26Ale přikázal král Jerachmeelovi synu královu, a Saraiášovi synu Azrielovu, a Selemiášovi synu Abdeelovu, aby jali Bárucha písaře a Jeremiáše proroka. Ale skryl je Hospodin. 27Stalo se pak slovo Hospodinovo k Jeremiášovi, když spálil král tu knihu a slova, kteráž byl sepsal Báruch z úst Jeremiášových, řkoucí: 28Vezmi sobě zase knihu jinou, a napiš na ní všecka slova první, kteráž byla v té knize prvnější, kterouž spálil Joakim král Judský. 29O Joakimovi pak králi Judském rci: Takto praví Hospodin: Ty jsi spálil knihu tuto, pravě: Proč jsi psal v ní, řka: Jistotně přitáhne král Babylonský, a zkazí zemi tuto, a vyhladí z ní lidi i hovada? 30Protož takto praví Hospodin o Joakimovi králi Judském: Nebude míti, kdo by seděl na stolici Davidově, a tělo jeho mrtvé bude vyvrženo na horko ve dne a na mráz v noci. 31Nebo trestati budu na něm, a na semeni jeho, i na služebnících jeho nepravost jejich, a uvedu na ně, a na obyvatele Jeruzalémské, i na muže Judské všecko to zlé, o kterémž jsem mluvíval jim, a neposlouchali. 32I vzal Jeremiáš knihu jinou, a dal ji Báruchovi synu Neriášovu, písaři, kterýž sepsal do ní z úst Jeremiášových všecka slova té knihy, kterouž byl spálil Joakim král Judský ohněm. A ještě přidáno jest k těm slovům mnoho těm podobných.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 BARUCH WRITES, AND READS PUBLICLY JEREMIAH'S PROPHECIES COLLECTED IN A VOLUME. THE ROLL IS BURNT BY JEHOIAKIM, AND WRITTEN AGAIN BY BARUCH AT JEREMIAH'S DICTATION. (Jer. 36:1-32)
fourth year--The command to write the roll was given in the fourth year, but it was not read publicly till the fifth year. As Isaiah subjoined to his predictions a history of events confirming his prophecies (Isa. 36:1-22; Isa. 37:1-38; Isa. 38:1-22;
Isa 39:1-
Isa 39:8), so Jeremiah also in the thirty-seventh through forty-third chapters; but he prefaces his history with the narrative of an incident that occurred some time ago, showing that he, not only by word, but in writing, and that twice, had testified all that he about to state as having subsequently come to pass [GROTIUS]. At the end of Jehoiakim's third year, Nebuchadnezzar enrolled an army against Jerusalem and took it in the end of the fifth or beginning of the sixth year, carrying away captive Jehoiakim, Daniel, &c. Jehoiakim returned the same year, and for three years was tributary: then he withheld tribute. Nebuchadnezzar returned and took Jerusalem, and carried off Jehoiakim, who died on the road. This harmonizes this chapter with 2Ki. 24:1-20 and Dan. 1:1-21. See on
Jer 22:19.
2 roll of a book--a book formed of prepared skins made into a roll. Compare "volume of the book," that is, the Pentateuch (
Ps 40:7). It does not follow that his prophecies were not before committed to writing; what is implied is, they were now written together in one volume, so as to be read continuously to the Jews in the temple.
against . . . nations-- (
Jer 25:15, &c.).
from . . . days of Josiah-- (
Jer 25:3). From Josiah's thirteenth year (
Jer 1:2).
3 hear--consider seriously.
return . . . from . . . evil way-- (
Jonah 3:8).
4 all . . . words of . . . Lord--God specially suggesting what might otherwise have escaped his memory, and directing the choice of words, as well as the substance (
John 14:26;
John 16:13).
5 I am shut up--not in prison, for there is no account of his imprisonment under Jehoiakim, and
Jer 36:19,
Jer 36:26 are inconsistent with it: but, "I am prevented," namely, by some hindrance; or, through fear of the king, to whose anger Baruch was less exposed, as not being the author of the prophecy.
6 go--on the following year (
Jer 36:9).
fasting day--(See
Jer 36:9). An extraordinary fast, in the ninth month (whereas the fast on the great day of atonement was on the tenth day of the seventh month,
Lev 16:29;
Lev 23:27-
Lev 23:32), appointed to avert the impending calamity, when it was feared Nebuchadnezzar, having in the year before (that is, the fourth of Jehoiakim), smitten Pharaoh-necho at Carchemish, would attack Judea, as the ally of Egypt (
2Kgs 23:34-35). The fast was likely to be an occasion on which Jeremiah would find the Jews more softened, as well as a larger number of them met together.
7 present . . . supplication--literally, "supplication shall fall"; alluding to the prostrate attitude of the supplicants (
Deut 9:25;
Matt 26:39), as petitioners fall at the feet of a king in the East. So Hebrew,
Jer 38:26;
Dan 9:18, Margin.
9 they proclaimed . . . to all the people . . . to all, &c.--rather, "all the people . . . all the people proclaimed a fast" [MICHAELIS]. The chiefs appointed the fast by the wish of the people. In either version the ungodly king had no share in appointing the fast.
10 chamber--Baruch read from the window or balcony of the chamber looking into the court where the people were assembled. However, some of the chambers were large enough to contain a considerable number (
Neh 13:5).
Gemariah--distinct from the Gemariah, son of Hilkiah, in
Jer 29:3.
Shaphan--the same person as in
2Kgs 22:3.
scribe--secretary of state, or he who presided over the public records.
higher court--that of the priests, the court of the people being lower (
2Chr 4:9).
new gate-- (
Jer 26:10). The east gate.
12 scribe's chamber--an apartment in the palace occupied by the secretary of state.
princes--holding a counsel of state at the time.
Elnathan--who had already been an instrument of evil in Jehoiakim's hand (
Jer 26:22-
Jer 26:23).
Hananiah--the false prophet (
Jer 28:10-
Jer 28:17).
14 Jehudi--of a good family, as appears from his pedigree being given so fully, but in a subordinate position.
come--Instead of requiring Baruch to come to them, they ought to have gone to the temple, and there professed their penitence. But pride forbade it [CALVIN].
16 afraid, both one and other--Hebrew, "fear-stricken," they turned to one another (compare
Gen 42:28). This showed, on their part, hesitancy, and 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--not the language of threatening but implying that the matter is of such moment that the king ought to be made acquainted with it, so as to seek some remedy against the divine anger.
17 What they wished to know was, whether what Baruch had read to them was written by him from memory after hearing Jeremiah repeating his prophecies continuously, or accurately from the prophet's own dictation.
18 his mouth--Baruch replies it was by the oral dictation of the prophet;
Jer 36:2 accords with this view, rather than with the notion that Jeremiah repeated his prophecies from manuscripts.
ink--his specification of the "ink" implies: I added nothing save the hand, pen, and ink.
19 Showing that they were not altogether without better feelings (compare
Jer 36:16,
Jer 36:25).
20 chamber--There were chambers in the king's palace round the court or great hall, as in the temple (
Jer 36:10). The roll was "laid up" there for safekeeping, with other public records.
21 sent Jehudi--Note how unbelievers flee from God, and yet seek Him through some kind of involuntary impulse [CALVIN]. Jehudi seems to have been the king's ready tool for evil.
22 winter house-- (
Amos 3:15).
ninth month--namely, of the religious year, that is, November or December.
fire on . . . hearth--rather, the stove was burning before him. In the East neither chimneys nor ovens are used, but, in cold weather, a brazen vessel containing burning charcoal; when the wood has burned to embers, a cover is placed over the pot to make it retain the heat.
23 three or four leaves--not distinct leaves as in a book, but the consecutive spaces on the long roll in the shape of doors (whence the Hebrew name is derived), into which the writing is divided: as the books of Moses in the synagogue in the present day are written in a long parchment rolled round a stick, the writing divided into columns, like pages.
pen-knife--the writer's knife with which the reed, used as a pen, was mended. "He" refers to the king (
Jer 36:22). As often as Jehudi read three or four columns, the king cut asunder the part of the roll read; and so he treated the whole, until all the parts read consecutively were cut and burnt;
Jer 36:24, "all these words," implies that the whole volume was read through, not merely the first three or four columns (
1Kgs 22:8).
24 The king and his "servants" were more hardened than the "princes" and councillors (see on
Jer 36:12;
Jer 36:14;
Jer 36:16). Contrast the humble fear exhibited by Josiah at the reading of the law (
2Kgs 22:11).
25 (See on
Jer 36:16). The "nevertheless" aggravates the king's sin; though God would have drawn him back through their intercession, he persisted: judicial blindness and reprobation!
26 Hammelech--not as Margin, "of the king." Jehoiakim at this time (the fifth year of his reign) had no grown-up son: Jeconiah, his successor, was then a boy of eleven (compare
2Kgs 23:36, with
2Kgs 24:8).
hid them-- (
Ps 31:20;
Ps 83:3;
Isa 26:20).
27 roll, and . . . words--that is, the roll of words.
28 all the former words--It is in vain that the ungodly resist the power of Jehovah: not one of His words shall fall to the ground (
Matt 5:18;
Acts 9:5;
Acts 5:39).
29 say to Jehoiakim--not in person, as Jeremiah was "hidden" (
Jer 36:26), but by the written word of prophecy.
saying, Why--This is what the king had desired to be said to Jeremiah if he should be found; kings often dislike the truth to be told them.
30 He shall have none to sit upon the throne--fulfilled (
2Kgs 24:8, &c.; 2Ki. 25:1-30). He had successors, but not directly of his posterity, except his son Jeconiah, whose three months' reign is counted as nothing. Zedekiah was not the son, but the uncle of Jeconiah, and was raised to the throne in contempt of him and his father Jehoiakim (
Jer 22:30).
dead body . . . cast out-- (
Jer 22:18-
Jer 22:19).
day . . . heat . . . night . . . frost--There are often these variations of temperature in the East between night and day (
Gen 31:40).
32 added besides . . . many like words--Sinners gain nothing but additional punishment by setting aside the word of Jehovah. The law was similarly rewritten after the first tables had been broken owing to Israel's idolatry (
Exod 32:19,
Exod 34:1).