Jehu'di is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah. His role is primarily associated with the reading of the scroll containing the words of the prophet Jeremiah, which was dictated to Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe. The account of Jehu'di is found in Jeremiah 36, where he is depicted as a messenger and reader of the prophetic scroll to King Jehoiakim of Judah.

Background and Lineage

Jehu'di is identified as the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi. This lineage suggests that Jehu'di was of some standing, as his genealogy is traced back through several generations. The mention of his ancestry indicates the importance of family heritage and status in the biblical narrative.

Role in the Narrative

In Jeremiah 36, the prophet Jeremiah is instructed by God to record all the words He has spoken against Israel, Judah, and the nations, from the time of Josiah until that day. Jeremiah dictates these words to Baruch, who writes them on a scroll. Due to Jeremiah's restricted movement, Baruch is tasked with reading the scroll in the Temple on a day of fasting, hoping that the people might turn from their wicked ways.

Jehu'di enters the narrative when the officials of Judah, having heard the words of the scroll, decide to inform King Jehoiakim. They send for Jehu'di to bring the scroll and read it to the king. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event:

"Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king and all the officials who were standing beside him." (Jeremiah 36:21)

Significance of Jehu'di's Actions

Jehu'di's actions are significant in the unfolding drama of Jeremiah 36. As he reads the scroll to King Jehoiakim, the king's response is one of disdain and rejection. Despite the gravity of the prophetic message, Jehoiakim cuts the scroll with a scribe's knife and throws it into the fire, showing a blatant disregard for the word of God. Jehu'di's role as the reader highlights the contrast between the faithful transmission of God's message and the king's irreverent reaction.

Implications for Judah

The incident involving Jehu'di and the burning of the scroll serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of Judah's impending judgment. It underscores the hardened hearts of the leadership and their refusal to heed divine warnings. Despite the king's actions, God commands Jeremiah to produce another scroll with the same words, demonstrating the indestructibility of His word and the certainty of His judgments.

Conclusion

Jehu'di's brief appearance in the biblical text serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfully conveying God's message, regardless of the audience's response. His role in the narrative of Jeremiah 36 highlights the tension between divine revelation and human resistance, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic literature of the Old Testament.Jehu'di (3 Occurrences)

Jeremiah 36:14
and all the heads send unto Baruch, Jehudi son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi, saying, 'The roll in which thou hast read in the ears of the people take in thy hand, and come.' And Baruch son of Neriah taketh the roll in his hand and cometh in unto them,
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 36:21
And the king sendeth Jehudi to take the roll, and he taketh it out of the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and Jehudi readeth it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the heads who are standing by the king;
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 36:23
and it cometh to pass, when Jehudi readeth three or four leaves, he cutteth it out with the scribe's knife, and hath cast unto the fire, that 'is' on the stove, till the consumption of all the roll by the fire that 'is' on the stove.
(See RSV)

Jehu'di (3 Occurrences)
Jehu'di. Jehudi, Jehu'di. Jehudijah . Multi-Version Concordance Jehu'di
(3 Occurrences). Jeremiah 36:14 and all the heads send unto ...
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Jehudi (3 Occurrences)

/j/jehudi.htm - 8k

Jehudijah

/j/jehudijah.htm - 6k

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