The Bible Says
Jeremiah 36:9-10 Meaning

In Jeremiah 36:9 we see a pivotal moment during the reign of Jehoiakim, who ruled from 609 to 598 BC: the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem and all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem (v. 9). By this time, the nation of Judah stood at a critical juncture, threatened by foreign powers and internal spiritual decline. The fast that was proclaimed was most likely a collective call to humble themselves before God amidst growing calamities, focusing the entire community on repentance and the renewal of their covenantal relationship with the LORD.

The mention of the fifth year of Jehoiakim (v. 9) places this event well into Jehoiakim’s reign, highlighting a period in which Jeremiah’s preaching called the people to turn away from disobedience. Although Jehoiakim was the son of Josiah––a righteous king who reigned from 640 to 609 BC and walked in the ways of the LORD––Jehoiakim often defied God’s warnings. Jeremiah 36:9 underscores how urgent it was for Judah to seek divine mercy, as the looming threat of Babylonian conquest was becoming increasingly real (Jeremiah’s prophecies later confirm this judgment against the land).

Jerusalem itself, where all the people…came from the cities of Judah (v. 9), was the central hub of worship. Located in the rugged hills of Judah, it was not only the political capital but also the spiritual heart of the nation, as the Temple of the LORD stood within its walls. Gathering in this sacred city for a fast would have united the people in both place and purpose, urging them to return wholeheartedly to their covenant God.

Next, Baruch read from the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the upper court, at the entry of the New Gate of the LORD’s house, to all the people (v. 10). Baruch served as Jeremiah’s faithful scribe and messenger, entrusted with proclaiming the Prophet’s words to listeners who needed to hear and heed God's counsel. Through reading aloud in the Temple precincts, Baruch allowed these words to echo among worshipers, ensuring that no one could claim ignorance of God’s warnings or promises.

The chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan (v. 10) is notable because Shaphan served as a scribe during King Josiah’s reforms, discovered in earlier biblical accounts (2 Kings 22). Gemariah’s own chamber was close to the Temple’s New Gate, emphasizing that these spiritually urgent words were being sounded in a place of high visibility and importance. The New Gate was likely a significant checkpoint into the Temple complex, so Baruch’s choice of location indicates a desire to reach the widest audience possible.

In reading all the words of Jeremiah (v. 10), Baruch underscores the continuity of the prophetic message. This was not merely a random sermon but a guided call from God, warning of impending judgment if the people persisted in their ways and urging them to repent. The Temple setting also symbolized a direct appeal to the hearts of Judah’s worshipers, bridging the gap between formal religion and heartfelt obedience––an echo of the greater transformation God desires for His people.