1Čtvrtého roku judského krále, Josiášova syna Jojakima, se Jeremiášovi ozvalo od Jahva toto slovo: 2Vezmi si svitek a napiš na něj všechna slova, která se ti ode mne ozvala o Izraelovi, Judovi a všech národech ode dne, kdy jsem k tobě - v Josiášově době - začal mluvit, až podnes. 3Možná, že až uslyší o všem zlém, co jim zamýšlím udělat, odvrátí se každý z Judova domu od své špatné cesty; pak jim budu moci odpustit jejich nepravost a jejich hřích. 4Jeremiáš zavolal Nerijova syna Barucha a ten napsal na svitek, jak mu to říkal do pera, všechna slova, jež se prorokovi ozvala od Jahva. 5Tehdy dal Jeremiáš Baruchovi tento příkaz: „Já už nemohu vstoupit do Jahvova Chrámu, mně se v tom brání. 6Ale ty půjdeš a přečteš lidu v postní den ze svitku, který jsi napsal, jak jsem ti říkal do pera, všechna Jahvova slova v jeho Chrámě. Stejně tak je přečteš všem Judovcům, kteří přijdou ze svých měst. 7Snad jejich úpěnlivá prosba Jahva obměkčí a každý z nich se odvrátí od své špatné cesty; neboť veliký je hněv a rozlícenost, jimiž Jahve tomuto lidu pohrozil.“ 8Nerijův syn Baruch se zachoval přesně podle příkazu, který mu dal prorok Jeremiáš, že má přečíst z té knihy Jahvova slova v jeho Chrámě. 9Pátého roku judského krále, Josiášova syna Jojakima, v devátém měsíci, byl před Jahva k postu svolán všechen jeruzalémský lid a veškerý lid, který tam mohl přijít, ze všech judských měst. 10Tehdy Baruch přečetl z knihy Jeremiášova slova; byli v Jahvově Chrámě, v síni Gemarjahua, syna písaře Šafana, na horním dvoře, u vchodu do Nové brány Jahvova Chrámu: slyšet mohl všechen lid. 11Když Mikajehu, syn Šafanova syna Gemarjahua, vyslechl Jahvova slova z té knihy, 12sešel do královského paláce, do písařovy síně. Tam zasedala všechna knížata: písař Elišama; Šemajahuův syn Delajahu; Akborův syn Elnatan; Šafanův syn Gemarjahu; Chananjahuův syn Sidkijahu a všechna ostatní knížata. 13Mikajehu jim vypravoval o všech slovech, která uslyšel, když je Baruch předčítal lidu do uší. 14Tehdy knížata jednomyslně vypravila k Baruchovi Netanjahuova syna Jehudiho a Kušiho syna Šelemjahua se vzkazem: „Vezmi ten svitek, z něhož jsi předčítal lidu, a přijď.“ Nerijův syn Baruch tedy svitek vzal a přišel za nimi. 15Řekli mu: „Sedni si a předčítej nám to.“ A Baruch jim to přečetl. 16Když uslyšeli všechna ta slova, zděšeně se obrátili jeden na druhého a řekli Baruchovi: „O tom všem nutně musíme zpravit krále.“ 17A vyptávali se 18Barucha: „Pověz nám, jak jsi všechna ta slova napsal.“ Baruch jim odpověděl: „Jeremiáš mi je všechna říkal do pera a já jsem je inkoustem psal do této knihy.“ 19Tu řekla knížata Baruchovi: „Odejdi, ukryj se, a Jeremiáš také, ať nikdo neví, kde jste.“ 20Potom se odebrali ke králi do dvora paláce a svitek uložili v síni písaře Elišamy. A o celé té věci zpravili krále. 21Král poslal Jehudiho pro svitek; on jej přinesl ze síně písaře Elišamy a předčítal ho před králem a přede všemi knížaty, jež stála kolem krále. 22Král seděl ve svých zimních komnatách - bylo to v devátém měsíci - a před ním hořel v ohřívadle oheň. 23Pokaždé, když Jehudi přečetl tři nebo čtyři sloupce, rozřezal je král písařovým nožíkem a házel je na oheň v ohřívadle, až celý svitek shořel v ohni ohřívadla. 24Ale ani král, ani žádný z jeho služebníků nebyli zděšeni, když slyšeli všechna ta slova, ani si neroztrhli svůj šat; 25a přece Elnatan, Delajahu a Gemarjahu na krále naléhali, aby svitek nepálil; ale on je neposlouchal. 26A přikázal královu synovi Jerachmeelovi, Azrielovu synovi Serajahuovi a Abdeelovu synovi Šelemjahuovi, aby se chopili písaře Barucha a proroka Jeremiáše. Ale Jahve je ukryl. 27Tehdy, poté co král spálil svitek se slovy, která napsal Baruch, jak mu je Jeremiáš říkal do pera, se Jeremiášovi ozvalo Jahvovo slovo: 28„Vezmi si jiný svitek, napiš na něj všechna slova, která stála už v prvním svitku, jejž judský král Jojakim spálil. 29A proti judskému králi Jojakimovi řekneš: Takto mluví Jahve. Ty jsi spálil ten svitek a přitom jsi řekl: ‘Proč se tam psalo: Je jisté, že přijde babylonský král, vyplení tuto zemi a vyhubí v ní lidi i zvířata?’ 30Proto mluví Jahve proti judskému králi Jojakimovi takto. Už nebude mít nikoho, kdo by zasedl na Davidův trůn, a jeho mrtvola bude vydána žáru dne i chladu noci. 31Jeho samého, jeho potomky i jeho služebníky potrestám za jejich provinění; přivedu na ně, na obyvatele Jeruzaléma a na muže z Judy veškeré neštěstí, jímž jsem jim hrozil, aniž mě oni poslouchali.“ 32Jeremiáš vzal jiný svitek a předal jej Nerijovu synovi, písaři Baruchovi, který tam napsal, jak mu Jeremiáš říkal do pera, všechna slova knihy, kterou judský král Jojakim spálil. Navíc tam byla přidána mnohá slova jim podobná.
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).