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 spoke unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
2. Take thee a roll of a book ] Several skins were stitched together and attached to a roller of wood at one or both ends. The writing was arranged in columns parallel to the rollers, so that as the parchment was gradually unrolled from one end to the other, the successive columns could be read. Our word volume (that which is rolled up) points by its derivation to this older form of book.
write therein all the words ] The prophet’s memory would supply him with the substance at any rate of the prophecies which he had uttered for the twenty-three years of his mission. But we may well believe, from the vivid style in which some of the earlier prophecies have come down to us, that he was able to draw upon some contemporary records of the exact language he had used, occasionally modifying it so as to adapt it to new circumstances.
Israel ] Jeremiah addresses the Northern kingdom with promises only (Jer 3:6 ff., Jer 31:2 ff.). Accordingly it is better to read, with considerable support from MSS. of LXX, Jerusalem.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A roll of a book – A parchment-scroll, consisting of several skins sewn together, and cut of an even breadth, with a piece of wood at one end (or, in case of larger volumes, at both ends) on which to roll them up.
Write therein all the words … – The phrase means that the roll was to contain all the counsel of God Act 20:27 upon the special point mentioned in Jer 36:3; and that the prophet was not to keep anything back.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. Take thee a roll of a book] Take a sufficient quantity of parchment; cut and stitch it together, that it may make a roll on which to write the words that I have already spoken, that they may serve for a testimony to future generations. The Jewish rolls, several of which now lie before me, were made of vellum, or of sheep-skins dressed in the half-tanned or Basil manner. These were cut into certain lengths, and those parts were all stitched together, and rolled upon a roller. The matter was written on these skins in columns or pages. Sometimes two rollers are used, that as the matter is read from the roll in the left hand, the reader may coil it on the roller in his right. In this form the Pentateuch is written which is read in the synagogues.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
By
a roll of a book is to be understood parchments, which anciently were their books, the art of binding books being not then known. The precept is for recording all the revelations he had from God for twenty-two years last past; for he began to prophesy in the thirteenth year of Josiah, who reigned one and thirty years, so as he prophesied eighteen years during Josiahs life, and this was the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim. God would have them recorded, that there might be a memorial of them, that so the truth of them might appear, when God should bring them to pass, the time of which now drew very near.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. roll of a booka bookformed of prepared skins made into a roll. Compare “volume ofthe book,” that is, the Pentateuch (Ps40:7). It does not follow that his prophecies were not beforecommitted to writing; what is implied is, they were now writtentogether in one volume, so as to be read continuously to theJews in the temple.
against . . . nations(Jer 25:15, &c.).
from . . . days of Josiah(Jer 25:3). From Josiah’sthirteenth year (Jer 1:2).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Take thee a roll of a book,…. A roll of parchment, which being wrote on, and rolled up, was called a book; but books, in those times, did not consist of leaves cut and stitched together, and bound up, as our books are, but sheets of parchments being written upon, were glued together, and then rolled up; hence such writings were called volumes; which name we still retain, and give to books, though the same practice is not used:
and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah; for though Israel was carried captive before the times of Jeremiah, and his prophecies were chiefly directed against Judah; yet as there were some of the ten tribes mixed with them, they were included in these prophecies, and therefore mentioned:
and against all the nations; such as Egypt, Edom, Ammon, and Moab, Jer 9:26;
from the day that I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day; that is, from the time the Lord called him to prophesy in his name, which was in, the thirteenth year of Josiah, who reigned one and thirty years; and this being the fourth year of Jehoiakim, it must be the three and twentieth year of his prophesying, and the a course of full two and twenty years; see Jer 1:2; now all the sermons, discourses, and prophecies, he had delivered out against one and another, during this time, must all be written in one roll or book, that that they might be read. Kimchi says their Rabbins n would have it that this roll was the book of the Lamentations, called by them “Megallah”, or roll.
n T. Bab. Moed Katon fol. 26. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The word of the Lord to Jeremiah was to this effect: “Take thee a book-roll, and write on it ( for ) all the words that I have spoken unto thee concerning Israel and Judah, and concerning all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah till this day. Jer 36:3. Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I meditate doing to them, that they may return every one from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” here means, to hear correctly and lay to heart; cf. Jer 26:3. Hitzig views the command as meaning, not that Jeremiah is now for the first time to write down his addresses (which would be an impossibility for the most faithful memory), but that he is merely to write them down together in one book, out of the several scattered leaves and scraps. Graf has already refuted this view, though more fully than was necessary. It is not a copying, word for word, of every separate address that is meant, but merely a writing down of the essential contents of all his oral discourses. This is quite clear, not merely from what is stated in Jer 36:3 as the object of this command, but also from the character of these collected addresses, as they are preserved to us. That the expression “all the words” is not to be understood in the most rigid sense, follows from the very fact that, when Jeremiah anew wrote down his prophecies, Jer 36:32, he further added “many similar words” to what had been contained in the first book-roll, which was burned by Jehoiakim. But Jeremiah might perhaps be able to retain in his memory the substance of all the addresses he had delivered during the twenty-three years, since all of them treated of the same subjects – reproof of prevailing sins, threat of punishment, and promises.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
The Prophet then says at the beginning, that the word of Jehovah came, by which he was ordered to write in a volume of a book whatever he had previously spoken By the volume of a book he means the volume in which he was to write; for ספר sepher, does not here mean a written book, for the volume was without any writing. Then the Prophet must have dictated to his servant Baruch. And this mode of speaking occurs also elsewhere, as in Psa 40:7. But the Hebrews, according to an ancient custom, called a volume מגלה , megele; for they had no books in a compact form, such as we have in the present day, but had volumes or rolls; and the same word, volume, is also used in Latin. For as the Hebrews called what is folded up מגלה , megele, which comes from גלל , gelal, to fold up, or to roll; so the Latins also have derived it from a verb (volvo) which means to roll, and we call it rolle; and in Gaul they used the same form of writing; for all ancient documents and also judicial proceedings were wont formerly to be written on rolls, and in the old archieves there is nothing found but what is so written. God then ordered his Prophet to take a roll, and then he commanded him to write all the words which he had heard from the mouth of God, and which he had pronounced against Israel, and against Judah, and against all other nations.
We see here, in the first place, what is the benefit of having the Scripture, even that what would otherwise vanish away or escape the memory of man, may remain and be handed down from one to another, and also that it may be read; for what is written can be better weighed during leisure time. When one speaks only, every one takes in something according to his capacity and his attention; but as words from man’s mouth glide away, the utility of Scripture does hence appear more evident; for when what is not immediately understood is repeated, it brings more light, and then what one reads to-day he may read tomorrow, and next year, and many years after. As then God saw that he had been, as it were, beating the air when he had spoken by his Prophet, his purpose was that those things which Jeremiah had in vain spoken, should be written down. In this manner he, no doubt, intended to condemn both the king and his counsellors, and also the whole people, not only for their idleness, but also for their insensibility, even because all his teaching had been without fruit, though Jeremiah had labored much among them, and had been assiduous and faithful in the discharge of his office as a teacher.
We now perceive the design of God in saying, Take a volume and write in it; and he says, all the words which I have spoken to thee This was said in order that the Jews might understand that Jeremiah did not bring forward his own fictions, but faithfully delivered what he had heard from God’s mouth. He adds, against Israel and affainst Judah For Jeremiah at the beginning had prophesied against the ten tribes; but after the kingdom of Israel was cut off, he performed his office only towards the remaining people, so that his doctrine referred especially to the Jews. It is added, against all nations; and this we shall presently see; and it hence appears that his prophecies were not written according to the order of time, as I have before reminded you, but that the volume was written without regard to order. It was yet so far preserved that this book contains a summary of all the doctrine taught by Jeremiah during the whole course of his ministry. He says, from the day in which he began to speak, even from the days of Josiah, he says, to this day And the Prophet had been performing his duty as a teacher, not for ten, or twenty, or thirty, but for forty years. It follows, —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) Take thee a roll of a book.The same phrase meets us in Psa. 40:7 (ascribed by some critics to Jeremiah), but does not occur in any earlier prophet or historical book. It is found in later prophets (Eze. 2:9; Eze. 3:1; Zec. 5:1-2). It probably followed on the introduction of parchment as a material for writing on, and the consequent substitution of the roll for the papyrus books, for which, from their fragile fabric, a different form was necessary. The command thus given to Baruch is interesting as letting us, so to speak, into the workshop of the prophet. He speaks probably without premeditation, as the word of the Lord comes to him (Mat. 10:19). A disciple acts as reporter, and preserves the utterance in writing. It is interesting in this respect to note the parallelism between Jeremiahs modus operandi and St. Pauls (Rom. 16:22; Gal. 6:11; 2Th. 3:17). From time to time the prophet collects, repeats, revises, and, in modern phrase, edits what he has uttered. We have here accordingly what may be described as the history of the first volume of his discoursesa volume which perished, as the chapter records, but of which the earlier chapters of the present book are substantially a reproduction.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. A roll of a book A book-roll; that is, a roll properly prepared for writing.
And write Not copy as if into one volume what already existed in a written form but detached, but reduce to writing the things which had, from time to time, been spoken. There is nothing in the form of language, either excluding or including written aids to the memory, in doing this work. The purpose of this writing, as shown in Jer 36:3, was to influence the people by means of it. A writing is something more staid and impressive than the fleeting utterances of oral discourse can be.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 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.
Ver. 2. Take thee a roll a of a book,] i.e., A volume. as Isa 8:1 See Trapp on “ Isa 8:1 “
And write therein.
All the words that I have spoken unto thee.
a Olim liber erat instar mappae geographicae.
b Pineda.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
roll = a writing scroll. Hebrew. megillah. Occurs twenty-one times (fourteen times in this chapter. Psa 40:7. Eze 2:9; Eze 3:1, Eze 3:2, Eze 3:3. Zec 5:1, Zec 5:2). The name given to the five books called the megilloth (Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther).
words. Plural Compare “word” (singular) (Jer 36:1).
Israel. These words were now to be written because Israel had been already in dispersion 114 years, and could not be spoken, as they were when Judah alone was concerned. Compare Jer 25:2.
from the days of Josiah. See Jer 1:1-3. Not only what is recorded in Jer 25, but what Jehovah had spoken to him for the past twenty-three years.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
a roll: Jer 36:6, Jer 36:23, Jer 36:29, Jer 30:2, Jer 45:1, Jer 51:60, Exo 17:14, Deu 31:24, Ezr 6:2, Job 31:35, Psa 40:7, Isa 8:1, Isa 30:8, Isa 30:9, Eze 2:9, Eze 3:1-3, Hab 2:2, Hab 2:3, Zec 5:1-4, Rev 5:1-9
write: Jer 30:2, Hos 8:12
against Israel: Jer 2:4, Jer 3:3-10, Jer 23:13, Jer 23:14, Jer 32:30-35, 2Ki 17:18-20
against all: Jer 1:5, Jer 1:10, Jer 25:9-29, Jer 47:1 – Jer 51:64
from the day: Jer 1:2, Jer 1:3, Jer 25:3
Reciprocal: 2Ch 21:12 – a writing Ezr 6:1 – rolls Jer 36:14 – took Jer 36:18 – He Eze 2:3 – I send Zec 1:4 – unto Zec 7:7 – cried
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 36:2. The difference between a roll and a booh; is in the fact that after a roil has been written upon it is called a book. The clause means as if it said: Take a roll and make a book out of the. things 1 have said to you by word of mouth. The subject matter of the book was to cover the whole time since the days of Josiah. it would be impossible for a man to write all of that from memory unless he had the inspiration of God to guide him. such as the Spirit did for the apostles (Joh 14:12).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 36:2. Take thee a roll of a book Compare Isa 8:1; Eze 2:9; Zec 5:1. The ancient manner of writing was upon long scrolls of parchment, which they afterward rolled upon sticks. On these words it is remarked by Harmer, (vol. 4. chap. 7, obs. 122,) Many things were rolled up, much in the shape of an ancient Jewish manuscript, which yet were not fit to write upon; the words then in this, and some other similar cases, may be understood to mean, Take thee a roll, or volume, fit to be made a book of, fit to be written on. And write therein all the words that I have spoken against Israel and Judah Jeremiah prophesied against Israel as well as against Judah, Jer 2:4; Jer 3:12; Jer 3:14; Jer 23:13; Jer 32:30. The kingdom of Israel was indeed destroyed by Shalmaneser, before the time of Jeremiah; but yet the prophet was ordered to reprove their sins, both to make the justice of God appear in punishing them so severely, and withal to warn the Jews by their example. Besides, there were some remains of these tribes still left, who joined themselves to the tribe of Judah. And against all the nations See Jer 25:15-16. From the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah Namely, all the revelations which he had had from God for twenty-two years last past; for he began to prophesy in the thirteenth year of Josiah, who reigned thirty-one years, so that he prophesied eighteen years during Josiahs life, and this was the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, his successor. God would have his prophecies recorded, that there might be a memorial of them, that so the truth of them might appear when God should bring them to pass; the time of which now drew near.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
36:2 Take thee a scroll of a book, and write in it all the words that I have spoken to thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to thee, {b} from the days of Josiah, even to this day.
(b) Which were twenty and three years, as in Jer 25:3 counting from the thirteenth year of Josiah’s reign.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jeremiah was to write on a scroll (Heb. megillath sepher) all the prophecies that he had delivered concerning Israel, Judah, and the other nations since he began prophesying in the reign of Josiah (627 B.C.; cf. Jer 1:2; Jer 25:3). Most of the prophecies in the present Book of Jeremiah that date from this period are in chapters 1-25 and 46-51, but they were probably not in the same order on this scroll. Since Baruch and Jehudi read them on three separate occasions in one day (Jer 36:8; Jer 36:15; Jer 36:21), perhaps Baruch did not read the whole scroll on the first two of these occasions.
Perhaps the Babylonians’ victory over the Assyrians and Egyptians at Carchemish in 605 B.C. provided the impetus for this project. With the Babylonians in power, Judah was one giant step closer to invasion.