Jeremiah 36:29
And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
Jeremiah 36:29 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the Book of Jeremiah, the prophet is instructed to deliver a message to King Jehoiakim of Judah from the Lord. The verse addresses Jehoiakim's reaction to a scroll containing prophecies of the coming destruction of Judah by the king of Babylon. Instead of heeding the warning and repenting, Jehoiakim burns the scroll in a fit of rage and disbelief. The verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's word and refusing to acknowledge the impending judgment. By destroying the scroll, Jehoiakim not only demonstrates his defiance against the prophecy itself but also his rebellion against the authority of God. The verse highlights the importance of obedience and humility before the Lord, as well as the consequences of disregarding His messages and warnings. It serves as a cautionary tale for those who choose to ignore the word of God and the consequences of disobedience.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse is that it illustrates the consequences of disobedience to God's word. Jehoiakim, king of Judah, chose to burn a scroll containing prophecies from the prophet Jeremiah, refusing to acknowledge the truth of God's message. By doing so, he symbolically rejected God's warnings of the impending destruction by the Babylonian king. This act of defiance ultimately led to further calamity and judgment upon the land of Judah. It serves as a cautionary tale of the danger of disregarding the word of the Lord and the importance of heeding His warnings.
Word studies on this verse can shed light on the significance of certain terms used. For example, the word "roll" can refer to a scroll containing written messages, indicating the importance and authority of the words it contains. Additionally, the phrase "Thou hast burned this roll" emphasizes the deliberate and defiant act of destruction carried out by Jehoiakim. The language used in this verse underscores the gravity of his disobedience and the severity of the consequences that follow. Through a closer examination of the words and phrases in this verse, we gain a deeper understanding of the themes of judgment, defiance, and the power of God's prophetic word.
Jeremiah 36:29 in other translations
American Standard Version
And concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
World English Bible
Concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah you shall say, Thus says Yahweh: You have burned this scroll, saying, Why have you written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from there man and animal?
Douay-Rheims
And thou shalt say to Joakim the king of Juda: Thus saith the Lord: Thou hast burnt that volume, saying: Why hast thou written therein, and said: The king of Babylon shall come speedily, and shall lay waste this land: and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou shalt say to Iehoiakim King of Iudah, Thus saith the Lord, Thou hast burnt this roule, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, that the King of Babel shall certainly come and destroye this land, and shall take thence both man and beast?