Jeremiah 36:16

16 and it cometh to pass, when they hear all the words, they have been afraid one at another, and say unto Baruch, `We do surely declare to the king all 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.


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 and all the heads send unto Baruch, Jehudi son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi, saying, `The roll in which thou hast read in the ears of the people take in thy hand, and come.' And Baruch son of Neriah taketh the roll in his hand and cometh in unto them,
15 and they say unto him, `Sit down, we pray thee, and read it in our ears,' and Baruch readeth in their ears,
16 and it cometh to pass, when they hear all the words, they have been afraid one at another, and say unto Baruch, `We do surely declare to the king all these words.'
17 And they asked Baruch, saying, `Declare, we pray thee, to us, how didst thou write all these words -- from his mouth?'
18 And Baruch saith to them, `From his mouth, he pronounceth unto me all these words, and I am writing on the book with ink.'
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.