Jeremiah 36:2
Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
סֵפֶר֒
of a book
H5612
סֵפֶר֒
of a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
4 of 27
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
וְכָתַבְתָּ֣
and write
H3789
וְכָתַבְתָּ֣
and write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
5 of 27
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 27
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 #:
8 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדְּבָרִ֞ים
therein all the words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֞ים
therein all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי
I spake
H1696
דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי
I spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 27
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל
unto thee against Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל
unto thee against Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוּדָ֖ה
and against Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
and against Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
16 of 27
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
and against all the nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
and against all the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
19 of 27
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
הַיּ֥וֹם
even unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
even unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
20 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי
I spake
H1696
דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי
I spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
21 of 27
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַיּ֥וֹם
even unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
even unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
23 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וְעַ֖ד
H5704
וְעַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
25 of 27
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Jeremiah 30:2Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.Jeremiah 25:3From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.Jeremiah 1:10See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.Exodus 17:14And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.Jeremiah 51:60So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon.Jeremiah 36:6Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.Jeremiah 36:23And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.Ezekiel 2:9And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;Isaiah 8:1Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.Psalms 40:7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Historical Context
The practice of writing prophetic oracles on scrolls was not unique to Jeremiah, but this passage provides rare insight into the process. Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe (verse 4), would use reed pens and iron-based ink on treated leather or papyrus. Archaeological discoveries of ostraca (pottery fragments with writing) and seals from Jeremiah's period confirm the literacy and writing practices described in the biblical text.
The command to compile twenty-three years of oracles suggests these messages had been preserved (likely through memorization and oral transmission) but now required permanent written form. This coincides with the crisis moment when Babylon's rise made exile imminent. The written word would accompany God's people into exile, sustaining them when temple worship ceased and prophetic voices fell silent. This foreshadows the central role of Scripture in forming Jewish and Christian identity during diaspora.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Scripture's divine origin (God's command to write His words) shape your approach to reading and applying the Bible?
- In what ways has written Scripture sustained God's people during times when other forms of religious expression were unavailable?
- How does the twenty-three-year span of Jeremiah's recorded ministry encourage patience in your own witness and ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. The Hebrew megillat-sefer ("roll of a book") refers to a leather or papyrus scroll, the standard writing medium of antiquity. God's command to write represents a pivotal moment in redemptive history—the transition from oral prophecy to written Scripture, ensuring the message's preservation beyond the prophet's lifetime.
The comprehensive scope is striking: "all the words... against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations." This encompasses twenty-three years of prophetic ministry (from Josiah's thirteenth year, 627 BCE, to Jehoiakim's fourth year, 605 BCE). The inclusion of both Israel (northern kingdom, already fallen to Assyria in 722 BCE) and Judah (southern kingdom, still standing) plus "all nations" reveals God's universal sovereignty. His word addresses not only covenant people but all humanity.
Theologically, this verse establishes:
The Reformed principle of sola Scriptura roots ultimately in moments like this, where God commands His word be written and preserved.