Jeremiah 36:16

16 When the officers heard all the words, they became afraid and looked at each other. They said to Baruch, "We must certainly tell the king about these words."

Jeremiah 36:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 36:16

Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words
In the roll or book read by Baruch; they heard them read patiently, which was what the king afterwards would not do: they were afraid both one and another;
both good and bad; for there were some of both sorts among them: or, "a man to his friend" ^F18; they looked at one another, and knew not what to say to each other, as men amazed and astonished; they trembled at what they heard, the threatenings were so terrible, and the calamity threatened so great; and they consulted together what they should do with this roll, or what course they should take to avert the threatened vengeance, and particularly whether they should acquaint the king with it or not; and which they thought the safest and most prudent part to do: and said unto Baruch, we will surely tell the king of all these words;
this they said, not to terrify Baruch, or out of any ill will to him; but partly for their own security, lest they should incur the king's displeasure, should he come to the knowledge of it any other way; and chiefly hoping it might have some effect upon him, to cause a reformation; though of this they were dubious, and rather feared it would exasperate him; and therefore desired that Baruch and Jeremiah would hide themselves, ( Jeremiah 36:19 ) ; this was the sense of some of them, of those that were good men among them, and wished things were otherwise than they were.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (wher la vya) "vir ad socium suum", Montanus; "ad proximum suum", Vatablus; "ad amicum suum", Pagninus; "erga socium suum", Schmidt.

Jeremiah 36:16 In-Context

14 Then the officers sent a man named Jehudi son of Nethaniah to Baruch. (Nethaniah was the son of Shelemiah, who was the son of Cushi.) Jehudi said to Baruch, "Bring the scroll that you read to the people and come with me." So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll and went with Jehudi to the officers.

15 Then the officers said to Baruch, "Please sit down and read the scroll to us." So Baruch read the scroll to them.

16 When the officers heard all the words, they became afraid and looked at each other. They said to Baruch, "We must certainly tell the king about these words."

17 Then the officers asked Baruch, "Tell us, please, where did you get all these words you wrote on the scroll? Did you write down what Jeremiah said to you?"

18 "Yes," Baruch answered. "Jeremiah spoke them all to me, and I wrote them down with ink on this scroll."