Jeremiah 36:2
Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
Jeremiah 36:2 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is instructed by God to write down all the words that God has spoken to him against Israel, Judah, and all the nations. This command from God highlights the importance of documenting and preserving His words for future generations. By recording these prophecies, Jeremiah ensures that they will not be forgotten and that they will continue to be passed down through the ages. The mention of the days of Josiah, a righteous king of Judah, serves as a reference point for the timeframe of these prophecies, emphasizing their relevance and significance throughout history. By obeying God's command to write down His words, Jeremiah fulfills his role as a faithful servant and messenger of God, ensuring that his prophecies will continue to inspire and instruct readers for generations to come.
Theological Overview
In this verse from the book of Jeremiah, the prophet is commanded by God to write down all the words that have been spoken to him against Israel, Judah, and all the nations. This act of writing serves as a visual representation of the message that God wants to convey to His people through Jeremiah. The use of a "roll of a book" symbolizes the permanence and importance of the message being delivered. The word "roll" in Hebrew can also be translated as a scroll, which was a common form of writing in ancient times. By documenting the words spoken by God, Jeremiah is ensuring that they will be preserved for future generations to learn from. The mention of specific time periods, such as the days of Josiah, highlights the historical context and continuity of God's message throughout different eras. Through this command, God emphasizes the seriousness and urgency of the message that Jeremiah is to deliver to the people of Israel, Judah, and all the nations.
Jeremiah 36:2 in other translations
American Standard Version
Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
World English Bible
Take a scroll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day.
Douay-Rheims
Take thee a roll of a book, and thou shalt write in it all the words that I have spoken to thee against Israel and Juda, and against all the nations from the day that I spoke to thee, from the days of Josias even to this day.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Take thee a roule or booke, and write therein all the wordes that I haue spoken to thee against Israel, and against Iudah, and against all the nations, from the day that I spake vnto thee, euen from the dayes of Iosiah vnto this day.