Baruch reads Jeremiah's scroll; Jehoiakim burns it
About this date: Jeremiah 36 gives Jehoiakim's fourth year for dictation and fifth year for the public reading; conversion to BCE is approximate.
Jeremiah dictates a scroll to Baruch, who reads it publicly. When it reaches the palace, the king destroys it; Jeremiah dictates a replacement with further material.
Historical context
The account shows prophecy moving through dictation, writing, oral performance, officials, and royal reaction. It also portrays the preservation and expansion of a prophetic text.
Key points
- Baruch serves as writer and reader.
- Some officials protect the speakers and object to burning the text.
- The replacement is described as containing additional words.
People
- Jeremiah
- Baruch
- Jehoiakim
- Jehudi
Scripture
- Jeremiah 36 — The narrative traces the production and reception of Jeremiah's written warning.
Sources and further reading
- Jeremiah 36
Dictation, reading, destruction, and rewriting of the scroll.