Jeremiah 36:17
And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶ֨ת
H853
וְאֶ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שָׁאֲל֖וּ
And they asked
H7592
שָׁאֲל֖וּ
And they asked
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
3 of 14
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
הַגֶּד
Tell
H5046
הַגֶּד
Tell
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
6 of 14
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
כָּתַ֛בְתָּ
us now How didst thou write
H3789
כָּתַ֛בְתָּ
us now How didst thou write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
9 of 14
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Scribal practices in ancient Israel involved careful dictation and copying. The question about composition addresses potential charges of forgery or unauthorized prophecy. False prophecy was a capital offense (Deuteronomy 18:20), so verification was crucial. The princes' care in investigating suggests they took prophetic claims seriously, unlike the cynical dismissal characteristic of later leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- How important is the doctrine of biblical inspiration (God's word through human authors) to your confidence in Scripture?
- What does Baruch's role as faithful scribe teach about preserving and transmitting God's word accurately?
- How do you verify that what you're hearing or reading is authentic biblical truth rather than human invention?
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Analysis & Commentary
And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?—The question probes the scroll's origin and authenticity. At his mouth (מִפִּיו, mipiv) emphasizes direct dictation. The princes need to verify this is genuinely Jeremiah's prophecy, not Baruch's invention or interpretation.
Their investigation is procedurally sound: authenticating the source before presenting it to the king. The question also reflects ancient understanding of prophetic inspiration—the prophet speaks what God reveals, the scribe records what the prophet speaks. This chain of transmission (God → Jeremiah → Baruch → scroll) establishes authority while acknowledging human instrumentality in Scripture's production.