Jeremiah 36:12
Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
Then he went down
H3381
וַיֵּ֤רֶד
Then he went down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 27
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
בֵּית
house
H1004
בֵּית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִשְׁכַּ֣ת
chamber
H3957
לִשְׁכַּ֣ת
chamber
Strong's:
H3957
Word #:
5 of 27
a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging)
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
into the scribe's
H5608
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
into the scribe's
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
6 of 27
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַשָּׂרִֽים׃
and all the princes
H8269
הַשָּׂרִֽים׃
and all the princes
Strong's:
H8269
Word #:
10 of 27
a head person (of any rank or class)
יֽוֹשְׁבִ֑ים
sat
H3427
יֽוֹשְׁבִ֑ים
sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֱלִישָׁמָ֣ע
there even Elishama
H476
אֱלִישָׁמָ֣ע
there even Elishama
Strong's:
H476
Word #:
12 of 27
elishama, the name of seven israelites
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
into the scribe's
H5608
הַסֹּפֵ֡ר
into the scribe's
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שְׁ֠מַעְיָהוּ
of Shemaiah
H8098
שְׁ֠מַעְיָהוּ
of Shemaiah
Strong's:
H8098
Word #:
16 of 27
shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
18 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַכְבּ֜וֹר
of Achbor
H5907
עַכְבּ֜וֹר
of Achbor
Strong's:
H5907
Word #:
19 of 27
akbor, the name of an idumaean and of two israelites
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
21 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שָׁפָ֛ן
of Shaphan
H8227
שָׁפָ֛ן
of Shaphan
Strong's:
H8227
Word #:
22 of 27
a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
24 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
חֲנַנְיָ֖הוּ
of Hananiah
H2608
חֲנַנְיָ֖הוּ
of Hananiah
Strong's:
H2608
Word #:
25 of 27
chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites
Cross References
Jeremiah 26:22And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.Jeremiah 36:25Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.2 Kings 22:12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,Jeremiah 41:1Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
Historical Context
The "king's house" (palace complex) was adjacent to the temple in Jerusalem. Scribes served as royal secretaries, record-keepers, and advisors. Cabinet meetings in the scribe's chamber suggest administrative rather than throne room setting. These princes wielded real power in Jehoiakim's government, making their response crucial for national policy.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you bring God's word into secular spheres of influence where you have access?
- What does the presence of both supporters (Gemariah) and opponents (Elnathan) of true prophecy teach about navigating mixed leadership contexts?
- How can you speak truth to power while maintaining wisdom and discretion like Michaiah?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber—The movement from temple (higher court) to palace (lower, literally) symbolizes bringing God's word to political power. And, lo, all the princes sat there—The Hebrew הִנֵּה (hinneh, behold) draws attention to the assembled cabinet meeting. Six officials are named, representing Jehoiakim's inner circle.
Gemariah's presence among the princes (his own chamber) shows the intermingling of faithful and faithless leadership. Elnathan son of Achbor had previously brought the prophet Urijah back from Egypt to be executed (26:22-23), yet here he hears Jeremiah's words. The specificity of names underscores historical reality: this is not myth but documented confrontation between divine word and human authority.