When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,
11. when Micaiah had heard ] As it was in the chamber of Micaiah’s father that Baruch had been allowed to read the roll, Gemariah, engaged at the moment at a council of the princes in another room, would naturally be desirous of learning as soon as might be the particulars of what had occurred.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Probably as his father had lent Jeremiah the hall, Michaiah had been commanded to bring Gemariah Jer 36:12 tidings, as soon as the reading was over, of the nature of the prophets words, and the effect produced by them upon the people.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
When Micaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan,…. Who was present when Baruch read in the roll to the people in his father’s chamber; but his father was absent, and was with the princes in the secretary’s office at the same time, as Jer 36:12 shows: the son seems to be a more religious man than the father, unless he was placed as a spy, to hear and see what he could: however, when he
had heard out of the book all the words of the Lord: which were spoken by the Lord to Jeremiah, and which Baruch read out of the book he had written in his hearing; for it is a vain conceit of Abarbinel, that Micaiah did not hear these words from the mouth of Baruch reading, but out of the book which he looked into; for then it would have been said, which he had “seen” or “read” out of the book, and not “heard”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Vs. 11-19: THE MESSAGES READ BEFORE THE PRINCES OF JUDAH
1. Having heard Baruch read the words of Jeremiah in the temple, Micaiah, the son of Gemariah, hastened to the king’s palace (where the princes were assembled in the Secretary’s chamber) and reported all that he had heard, (vs.11-13).
2. Jehudi, the son of Nethaniah (a descendant of Cushi, and possibly an Ethiopian), was dispatched to bring Baruch, and the scroll from which he had read, to them, (vs. 14).
3. Upon his arrival Baruch was invited to sit down and read the scroll in their hearing, (vs. 15).
4. These officials were greatly frightened by the judgments threatened in the scroll, and assured Baruch that they would certainly report the warning to the king, (vs. 16; contrast vs. 24).
5. Questioning Baruch as to how he came into possession of the scroll, they learned that the words had been dictated to him by Jeremiah, the prophet, (vs. 17-18).
6. The princes then warned Baruch to hide both himself and Jeremiah – not letting anyone know where they might be found, (vs. 19; comp. Jer 26:20-24; 1Ki 17:1-6; 1Ki 18:4; 1Ki 18:7-14); they probably feared that the king might be so enraged that he would, irrationally, order their execution!
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
3. The reaction of the Princes (Jer. 36:11-19)
TRANSLATION
(11) When Micaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the LORD as they were read from the book, (12) he went down to the house of the king, to the chamber of the scribe. And, behold, all the princes were sitting thereElishama the scribe, Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, Elnathan the son of Achbor, Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes. (13) And Micaiah declared to them the words which he had heard Baruch reading from the book in the presence of the people. (14) Then all the princes sent unto Baruch Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, saying, The scroll from which you read in the presence of the peopletake it in your hand and come. And Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hands and went unto them. (15) And they said unto him, Sit please, and read in our presence. And Baruch read it in their presence. (16) And it came to pass when they heard all the words, they looked in fear one to another, and they said unto Baruch, We must surely declare all these things to the king. (17) And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us please how you wrote all these things from his mouth. (18) And Baruch said unto them, He personally dictated unto me all these words while I wrote in the book with ink. (19) And the princes said unto Baruch, Go and hide yourself, you and Jeremiah, and let no man know your whereabouts.
COMMENTS
One person who heard Baruch read the scroll that day was particularly touched. His name was Michaiah and he was the son of Gemariah whose office Baruch was wing to proclaim the word. He was anxious to report to his father what had transpired in the Temple that day. It so happened that Gemariah was engaged at that moment in a council of the princes in the office of Elishama. Michaiah declared to the princes the message which Baruch had been reading to the people in the Temple court (Jer. 36:13). The princes were so impressed that they dispatched Jehudi[314] to summon Baruch to appear before them with the scroll (Jer. 36:14). Since Baruch belonged to a family of distinction (see on Jer. 36:4) the princes received him respectfully and cordially. In the light of Jer. 36:19; Jer. 36:25 it would appear that these particular princes were favorably disposed towards Baruch and his master.
[314] The name of his ancestor leads one to suspect that Jehudi was of Cushite or Ethiopian descent.
When the princes heard the words of the scroll they looked at each other and trembled (Jer. 36:16). Why were they afraid? Had the scroll made them aware of their own personal guilt? Did the bold, prophetic announcement of imminent destruction strike terror in their hearts? Were they afraid of the reaction of the king? Perhaps all of these factors mingled together to make these princes afraid. At any rate they were convinced that it was their responsibility as first officers of the realm to report the incident to the king (Jer. 36:16). Before doing so however they inquired more precisely about the scroll as to how it came into being and who was responsible for it (Jer. 36:17). Baruch honestly answered the question: Jeremiah clearly and distinctly pronounced with his mouth while I was writing them with ink upon the scroll. Thus Baruch takes no credit (or blame as the case might be) for the scroll. He attributes all these words to his master. Baruch had neither added to nor taken away from the words of the prophet. Anticipating the reaction of the king to the scroll the friendly princes urged Baruch and Jeremiah to immediately hide themselves and to reveal to no one their whereabouts (Jer. 36:19).
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(11) When Michaiah the son of Gemariah . . .Gemariah himself was, as we find in the next verse, not one of the listeners, but took his place with the other princes, in the scribes chamber, probably used as a council-room, in the kings palace. It seems obvious from Michaiahs relation to him that his purpose in reporting Baruchs discourse was not unfriendly. Probably it was part of a preconcerted plan, arranged between the prophet and his friends, that he should report it, and so give an opening for bringing Baruch into the presence of the king and his counsellors, as they sat in what we may call their council-chamber.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 36:11 When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,
Ver. 11. When Micaiah the son of Gemariah had heard. ] With what affection he heard the book read by Baruch is uncertain. We have many Herodian hearers before us a second time – such, I mean, as have a Herod’s heart toward the preacher, and little do we know who they are that sit before us; those precious balms we bring break their heads with a witness, and make the blood run about their ears.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jer 36:11-19
11Now when Micaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard all the words of the LORD from the book, 12he went down to the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber. And behold, all the officials were sitting there-Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the other officials. 13Micaiah declared to them all the words that he had heard when Baruch read from the book to the people. 14Then all the officials sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, Take in your hand the scroll from which you have read to the people and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and went to them. 15They said to him, Sit down, please, and read it to us. So Baruch read it to them. 16When they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one to another and said to Baruch, We will surely report all these words to the king. 17And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us, please, how did you write all these words? Was it at his dictation? 18Then Baruch said to them, He dictated all these words to me, and I wrote them with ink on the book. 19Then the officials said to Baruch, Go, hide yourself, you and Jeremiah, and do not let anyone know where you are.
Jer 36:12 all the officials were sitting there This was an official meeting of the leaders of both the Temple and the royal court (cf. Jer 26:20-23).
Jer 36:14 Jehudi His name means man of Judah (BDB 397 II). His lineage is listed to the third generation because
1. he was a man of some renown
2. he was of the royal line (cf. Zep 1:1)
3. he had an ancestor name Cush (i.e., black or from Cush, cf. Gen 10:6-8)
Jer 36:15 Sit down, please, and read it to us Apparently these leaders were very cordial to both Baruch and to Jeremiah. This shows that at some level the leadership recognized the truthfulness of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
The LXX and Aramaic Targums change the vowels to read read it again. They had heard it before but wanted to hear the message of doom again (cf. Jer 36:10-11). They were hoping and praying for royal repentance (cf. Jer 36:24-25).
Jer 36:16 Notice the reaction of these leaders to Jeremiah’s message they turned in fear (BDB 808, KB 922, Qal PERFECT) one to another.
We will surely report all these words to the king The INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 616, KB 665) are used to denote the urgency and intensity of their feelings about Jeremiah’s prophecy.
Jer 36:17-18 Apparently these leaders wanted to know how Baruch received this message. Baruch assures them that these are exactly the words Jeremiah spoke to him with the implication that these are the very words YHWH spoke to Jeremiah. See Special Topic at Jer 23:21-22.
Jer 36:19 Go, hide yourself, you and Jeremiah, and do not let anyone know where you are Go (BDB 229, KB 246,Qal IMPERATIVE) and hide (BDB 711, KB 771, Niphal IMPERATIVE) are their strong suggestions because they feared the King’s reaction (i.e., Jer 36:26; Jer 26:23) and wanted to protect Jeremiah and Baruch.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
of = from.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jer 36:11-19
Jer 36:11-19
READING OF THE ROLL TO ALL THE PRINCES
And when Micaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of Jehovah, he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber: and, lo, all the princes were sitting there, [to wit], Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes. Then Micaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people. Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thy hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them. And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears. Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one toward another, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words. And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth? Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book. Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye are.
All the princes…
(Jer 36:14; Jer 36:14). Apparently all of these princes had an impressive pedigree and were doubtless some of the most important people in the city.
They turned in fear one toward another…
(Jer 36:16) All of them were afraid, and they demonstrated by looks, gestures, and words their fear and concern. Why were they afraid? The words of the prophet alone were enough to strike fear into the heart of every believer; but there was also another reason. The king, upon hearing that these princes had listened to the words of Jeremiah, might have been expected to react violently. They promptly informed Baruch that they would indeed tell the king all about it. There was, in fact, no way whatever by which such a report could have been avoided. The words of the book had already been read publicly!
They immediately requested that Baruch would explain to them just how the dictation took place, and Baruch promptly answered. It is evident that: (1) God’s Word was transmitted accurately, and (2) that it was not edited or changed in any manner by Baruch.
The sympathy of these mighty princes toward Baruch and Jeremiah is evident in a number of incidentals: (1) they invited him to “sit,” thus assuming the position of a teacher; (2) they questioned him about the manner of the dictation; and (3) they warned him to hide both himself and Jeremiah from the wrath of the king, which they had every right to anticipate. The implication in this is that, they would not have rushed their appearance before Jehoiachim, but would, in all probability, have allowed a reasonable time to pass in order to facilitate the hiding of Baruch and the prophet.
The king’s lust for blood had already been demonstrated to those princes, when he extradited Uriah from Egypt and murdered him, casting the prophet’s body into the common graveyard (Jer 26:23).
3. The reaction of the Princes (Jer 36:11-19)
One person who heard Baruch read the scroll that day was particularly touched. His name was Michaiah and he was the son of Gemariah whose office Baruch was wing to proclaim the word. He was anxious to report to his father what had transpired in the Temple that day. It so happened that Gemariah was engaged at that moment in a council of the princes in the office of Elishama. Michaiah declared to the princes the message which Baruch had been reading to the people in the Temple court (Jer 36:13). The princes were so impressed that they dispatched Jehudi[314] to summon Baruch to appear before them with the scroll (Jer 36:14). The name of his ancestor leads one to suspect that Jehudi was of Cushite or Ethiopian descent. Since Baruch belonged to a family of distinction (see on Jer 36:4) the princes received him respectfully and cordially. In the light of Jer 36:19; Jer 36:25 it would appear that these particular princes were favorably disposed towards Baruch and his master.
When the princes heard the words of the scroll they looked at each other and trembled (Jer 36:16). Why were they afraid? Had the scroll made them aware of their own personal guilt? Did the bold, prophetic announcement of imminent destruction strike terror in their hearts? Were they afraid of the reaction of the king? Perhaps all of these factors mingled together to make these princes afraid. At any rate they were convinced that it was their responsibility as first officers of the realm to report the incident to the king (Jer 36:16). Before doing so however they inquired more precisely about the scroll as to how it came into being and who was responsible for it (Jer 36:17). Baruch honestly answered the question: Jeremiah clearly and distinctly pronounced with his mouth while I was writing them with ink upon the scroll. Thus Baruch takes no credit (or blame as the case might be) for the scroll. He attributes all these words to his master. Baruch had neither added to nor taken away from the words of the prophet. Anticipating the reaction of the king to the scroll the friendly princes urged Baruch and Jeremiah to immediately hide themselves and to reveal to no one their whereabouts (Jer 36:19).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Shaphan: Jer 36:10, 2Ki 22:12-14, 2Ki 25:22, 2Ch 34:20
Reciprocal: Jer 36:12 – Gemariah
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 36:11. Michalahs grandfather was a scribe and be doubtless knew something of the importance of an inspired document.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 36:11-15. When Michaiah, the son of Shaphan, had heard, &c. Shaphans family were all great men at court: see note on Jer 26:24; he went down into the kings house, &c. It is uncertain whether this Michaiah went to make this relation to the princes, who sat in the secretarys chamber, as a piece of news only, or out of a malicious design to accuse the prophet and Baruch, as persons guilty of a seditious practice, in what they had done. Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard That is, the substance of all the words, &c.; for none can imagine that a hearer could remember every word. Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi, &c. That is, all the princes who at that time sat there in council sent a messenger with a command to Baruch to appear before them, and to bring the roll which he had read in the ears of the people. And they said, Sit down now and read it. So Baruch read it The courage of Baruch is admirable; he was now before the council, in the kings house; the substance of the prophecies was, to threaten heavy judgments to the king, and court, and all the people; and the king, as appears by all history, was of a vindictive spirit, and a persecutor of Gods prophets; and yet Baruch is not afraid, but reads the prophecy in their ears.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
When Micaiah, Gemariah’s son, heard the scroll read, he went into the scribe’s room in the palace, where all the king’s officials had gathered, and told them what he had heard. Achbor, the father of Elnathan, had been present at the reading of the law scroll in Josiah’s day (2Ki 22:12).