Jeremiah 36:19

Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

36:9-19 Shows of piety and devotion may be found even among those, who, though they keep up forms of godliness, are strangers and enemies to the power of it. The princes patiently attended the reading of the whole book. They were in great fear. But even those who are convinced to the truth and importance of what they hear, and are disposed to favour those who preach it, often have difficulties and reserves about their safety, interest, or preferment, so that they do not act according to their convictions, and try to get rid of what they find troublesome.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

He pronounced - He used to say aloud, he dictated. Baruch's office was merely mechanical. He contributed nothing but hand, pen, and ink.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19. Showing that they were not altogether without better feelings (compare Jer 36:16, 25).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

This speaketh these princes to have been men of a much gentler temper and better disposition than those who succeeded them in Zedekiah’s time; they were not willing that any harm should come to the prophet, nor to Baruch, and knew the fierce temper of Jehoiakim, and therefore advised Baruch that both he and the prophet should hide. themselves.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then said the princes unto Baruch,.... Being satisfied with his answer:

go hide thee, thou and Jeremiah, and let no man know where ye be. Some of these princes at least seem to be good men, and believed what was read to them, and had a value for the prophet and his scribe, and were concerned for their welfare; and knowing the furious temper of the king, and his little regard to the prophets; and fearing he would resent what had been so publicly read to the people, provided against the worst; and in point of prudence advised Baruch and his master to abscond, and not let anyone know, no, not their nearest friends, where they were, lest they should be betrayed; nor did they, the princes, desire to know themselves. Jeremiah might be in prison, as some have thought, at the first reading of the roll, which was in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, and be at liberty now, which was in the fifth year; see Jeremiah 36:1.

Geneva Study Bible

Then said the princes to Baruch, Go, {k} hide thyself, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye are.

(k) They who were godly among the princes gave this counsel by whose means it is like that Jeremiah was delivered for they knew the rage of the king and of the wicked to be such that they could not escape without danger of their lives.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

19. Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah] See on Jeremiah 36:5. The princes doubtless had before their minds the fate of Uriah (Jeremiah 26:23). The so-called “Grotto of Jeremiah” near the “Quarries of Solomon” outside the Damascus Gate has been conjectured, owing to its traditional association with his name, to have been their hiding-place. See Pal. Explor. F. Quart. Statement, Jan. 1912, p. 27.

Jeremiah 36:19

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Thereupon the princes advised Baruch to hide himself and Jeremiah; for they know beforehand that Jehoiakim would put to death the witnesses of the truth.