Jeremiah 36:24
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Even though they had just heard terrifying prophecies of God's judgment, the king and his inner circle showed absolutely no outward sign of fear or remorse, completely disregarding the deep cultural custom of tearing garments to express grief and shock at such dire news. This complete lack of reaction reveals a profound spiritual deadness and defiance against God's message, a stark contrast to the humility of King Josiah.
Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Baruch reads Jeremiah's scroll to the people and then to the princes, some of the princes are terrified and inform King Jehoiakim, who orders the scroll brought to him. Jehoiakim listens to a portion and then defiantly cuts it up and burns it in the fire, despite the pleas of some of his officials. This verse highlights the king and his courtiers' utter lack of fear or remorse in response to God's fiery message, a stark contrast to the genuine contrition shown by his father Josiah when he heard God's law.
Some heard God's message and trembled, but their fear faded. What makes spiritual alarm disappear?
Jeremiah's scroll was read, and some princes initially showed fear and distress. They even asked to stop the king from burning it. This shows that the message did have an impact; it pierced through some of the hardness. Yet, by the time the king and his immediate servants hear it, that initial alarm is gone. The text notes, 'Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments.' This stark contrast highlights how quickly conviction can be brushed aside, especially when the king's rebellious spirit sets the tone. Their previous fear, though real, proved temporary and insufficient.
Burning a scroll with God's message seems extreme. What does this act reveal about King Jehoiakim's heart?
King Jehoiakim’s response to the scroll is one of utter contempt. He doesn't just ignore the message; he actively tries to destroy it. The tearing of garments was a traditional sign of deep sorrow, mourning, or horror in the face of profound offense or impending disaster. By refusing to do this, Jehoiakim declares his utter lack of respect for God's authority and His warnings. He’s not just unafraid; he’s defiant. His servants, mirroring his attitude, also show no remorse or fear. This is a chilling picture of hardened rebellion against God, choosing defiance over repentance.
Understand the original words
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pachad · Hebrew Verb
A state of reverential awe, trembling, or holy dread before God. It implies an acknowledgment of His sovereignty, holiness, and the consequences of disobedience, leading to repentance and obedience.
qara' simlah · Hebrew Phrase (Verb + Noun)
A traditional, outward manifestation of intense inward grief, repentance, or distress. Tearing garments was a culturally recognized physical act signifying mourning or brokenness before God.
The defiant reaction of King Jehoiakim and his court, who showed no fear or remorse after hearing God's message and even burning the scroll, starkly contrasts with the deep reverence shown by his father, Josiah, when confronted with God's Word. This highlights a profound spiritual hardening and a dangerous hardening of hearts against divine truth and judgment.
c. 628 BC
Josiah's Reforms Begin
King Josiah initiates major religious reforms in Judah, including the rediscovery and reading of the Book of the Law. This event sets a standard of reverence for God's Word.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo, a significant blow to Judah's spiritual and political stability. His successors are less faithful.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a number of its elite, including the prophet Daniel. This marks the beginning of Judah's decline towards exile.
c. 604 BC
Jeremiah Dictates Baruch's Scroll
Jeremiah, under divine inspiration, dictates his prophecies of judgment to his scribe Baruch. These warnings have been accumulating over many years.
c. 604 BC— this verse
The Scroll is Read to the King
Baruch reads the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecies aloud in the king's court, including to King Jehoiakim and his officials. The king's reaction is defiant.
c. 604 BC
Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll
King Jehoiakim defiantly cuts up and burns the scroll, showing contempt for God's message and prophet, despite warnings from some officials.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
After further rebellion, Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, fulfilling the prophecies previously read and burned, leading to the main exile.
Like King Jehoiakim in Jeremiah, King Ahab also showed a hardened heart and lack of genuine repentance when confronted with God's word, refusing to tear his garments despite a prophet's denunciation.
2 Kings 22:11This passage starkly contrasts with Jeremiah 36:24, highlighting King Josiah's profound fear and sorrow, evidenced by his tearing of garments, upon hearing God's law, showing a heart receptive to divine warning.
Matthew 26:65The high priest tore his garments in feigned outrage when Jesus claimed divinity, demonstrating how tearing garments could be a performative act rather than a genuine expression of fear or remorse, similar to the indifference of Jehoiakim's court.
Acts 14:14When Paul and Barnabas tore their garments, it was an act of genuine distress and protest against being worshipped as gods, emphasizing that the tearing of garments was a culturally understood sign of deep emotion that was absent in Jehoiakim's reaction.
Romans 2:5The text in Romans speaks of a hardened heart treasuring up wrath by refusing to repent, mirroring the behavior of King Jehoiakim and his servants who, despite hearing God's severe warnings, remained unmoved and unafraid.
pooleJeremiah 36:24: "Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words."
So hardened were this people’s hearts, that though they knew that Jeremiah was a prophet of the Lord, upon the experience now of more than twenty years, and the whole scope of his prophecies had been to denounce the just judgments of God that now were coming upon this people, and they could not but understand that God must be greatly assistant to Jeremiah in…
ellicottJeremiah 36:24: "Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words."
(24-25) Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments . . . —If we suppose that the “servants” are identical with the princes, these were the very men who, when they first heard the words, had been afraid, “both one and other.” Now the king’s presence restrains them, and they dare not show their alarm at the contents of the scroll, nor “rend their clothe…
Even though they had just heard terrifying prophecies of God's judgment, the king and his inner circle showed absolutely no outward sign of fear or remorse, completely disregarding the deep cultural custom of tearing garments to express grief and shock at such dire news. This complete lack of reaction reveals a profound spiritual deadness and defiance against God's message, a stark contrast to the humility of King Josiah.
After Baruch reads Jeremiah's scroll to the people and then to the princes, some of the princes are terrified and inform King Jehoiakim, who orders the scroll brought to him. Jehoiakim listens to a portion and then defiantly cuts it up and burns it in the fire, despite the pleas of some of his officials. This verse highlights the king and his courtiers' utter lack of fear or remorse in response to God's fiery message, a stark contrast to the genuine contrition shown by his father Josiah when he heard God's law.
After Baruch reads Jeremiah's scroll to the people and then to the princes, some of the princes are terrified and inform King Jehoiakim, who orders the scroll brought to him. Jehoiakim listens to a portion and then defiantly cuts it up and burns it in the fire, despite the pleas of some of his officials. This verse highlights the king and his courtiers' utter lack of fear or remorse in response to God's fiery message, a stark contrast to the genuine contrition shown by his father Josiah when he heard God's law.
"Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments." — Even though they had just heard terrifying prophecies of God's judgment, the king and his inner circle showed absolutely no outward sign of fear or remorse, completely disregarding the deep cultural…
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Last reviewed October 2026
