Introduction:
Jehudi is a minor yet significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, specifically mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah. His role is primarily associated with the reading of the prophet Jeremiah's scroll to King Jehoiakim of Judah. The account of Jehudi provides insight into the political and religious climate of Judah during the late 7th century BC, a period marked by impending Babylonian conquest and internal strife.

Biblical References:
Jehudi is mentioned in Jeremiah 36, where he is tasked with reading the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecies. The relevant passage is Jeremiah 36:14-23. The Berean Standard Bible provides the following account:

"Then all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, 'Bring the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people and come here.' So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll and went to them. 'Sit down,' they said, 'and read it to us.' So Baruch read it in their hearing. When they heard all these words, they turned to one another in fear and said to Baruch, 'We must surely report all these words to the king.' Then they asked Baruch, 'Tell us, how did you write all these words? Was it at Jeremiah’s dictation?' 'It was at his dictation,' Baruch replied. 'He recited all these words to me, and I wrote them in ink on the scroll.' Then the officials said to Baruch, 'You and Jeremiah must hide yourselves and let no one know where you are.' So they went to the king in the courtyard and stored the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe. Then they reported all these words to the king. 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. Since it was the ninth month, the king was sitting in his winter quarters with a fire burning before him. And as soon as Jehudi had read three or four columns, Jehoiakim would cut them off with a scribe’s knife and throw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was consumed by the fire."

Role and Significance:
Jehudi's role as a reader of the scroll is pivotal in the narrative of Jeremiah 36. His actions serve as a conduit between the prophetic message of Jeremiah and the royal court of Judah. Jehudi's reading of the scroll to King Jehoiakim and the officials underscores the tension between the prophetic warnings of impending judgment and the king's dismissive and rebellious response.

Genealogy and Background:
Jehudi is identified as the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi. This lineage suggests that Jehudi may have been of a mixed heritage, as the name "Cushi" often denotes an Ethiopian or Cushite origin. This detail, while minor, adds a layer of complexity to Jehudi's identity and his role within the Judean court.

Theological Implications:
The account of Jehudi highlights the theme of divine communication and human response. The scroll, representing God's word through the prophet Jeremiah, is met with contempt and destruction by King Jehoiakim. Jehudi's involvement in the reading of the scroll places him at the intersection of divine revelation and human authority, illustrating the broader biblical theme of the rejection of God's word by those in power.

Historical Context:
The events involving Jehudi occur during the reign of King Jehoiakim, a time of political instability and looming Babylonian threat. Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 BC) was marked by his allegiance to Egypt and subsequent subjugation by Babylon. The destruction of the scroll by Jehoiakim symbolizes his resistance to the prophetic message and foreshadows the eventual downfall of Jerusalem.

Conclusion:
While Jehudi is a relatively obscure figure, his role in the narrative of Jeremiah 36 is crucial for understanding the dynamics of prophetic ministry and royal authority in ancient Judah. His actions, though seemingly minor, contribute to the unfolding drama of divine judgment and human defiance that characterizes the prophetic literature of the Old Testament.Jehudi

(a Jew), son of Nethaniah, a man employed by the princes of Jehoiakim's court to fetch Baruch to read Jeremiah's denunciation, (Jeremiah 36:14) and then by the king to fetch the volume itself and read it to him. vs. (Jeremiah 36:21,23) (B.C. 605.)

A Jew, son of Nethaniah. He was sent by the princes to invite Baruch to read Jeremiah's roll to them (Jeremiah 36:14, 21). JEHUDI

je-hu'-di (yehudhi, properly "a Jew"): An officer of King Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:14, 21, 23). He was sent by the princes to summon Baruch to read the roll containing Jeremiah's prophecies to them; he afterward read them to the king, who destroyed them. His name is noteworthy, as also is that of his grandfather Cushi (i.e. "Ethiopian"), and the two are said to point to a foreign origin.

3065. Yehudi -- "Jewish," an officer of Jehoiakim
... 3064, 3065. Yehudi. 3066 . "Jewish," an officer of Jehoiakim. Transliteration:
Yehudi Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-hoo-dee') Short Definition: Jehudi. ... Jehudi. ...
/hebrew/3065.htm - 6k

The Writing of an Ancient Book
... Then all the nobles sent Jehudi, the son of Nethaniah, to Baruch to say: "Take the
roll from which you have read to all the people and come here." So Baruch ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the writing of an ancient.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... He sent one of his attendants, named Jehudi, to bring the roll. When it
came, the king directed Jehudi to read it. Jehudi did so ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

Approaching Doom
... his hearing. One of the royal attendants, Jehudi by name, fetched the roll
and began reading the words of reproof and warning. It ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

Election
... Canst thou, O rejector! cast it out of the Bible? Canst thou take the penknife
of Jehudi and cut it out of the Word of God? Wouldst ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/election.htm

Jehudi (3 Occurrences)
...JEHUDI. je-hu'-di (yehudhi, properly "a Jew"): An officer of King Jehoiakim (Jeremiah
36:14, 21, 23). ... Multi-Version Concordance Jehudi (3 Occurrences). ...
/j/jehudi.htm - 8k

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 ...
/j/jehu'di.htm - 7k

Readeth (19 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/r/readeth.htm - 12k

Cushi (7 Occurrences)
... (2) The great-grandfather of Jehudi, a contemporary of Jeremiah (Jeremiah
36:14). The name Jehudi itself ("a man of Judah") is sufficient ...
/c/cushi.htm - 10k

Scribe's (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS). Jeremiah 36:21 So the king sent Jehudi to fetch
the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. ...
/s/scribe's.htm - 8k

Reading (58 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:14 So all the rulers sent Jehudi, the son of Nethaniah, the son of
Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, Take in your hand the book from ...
/r/reading.htm - 27k

Nethaniah (20 Occurrences)
... (2) A Levite who accompanied the princes sent by Jehoshaphat to teach in the cities
of Judah (2 Chronicles 17:8). (3) The father of Jehudi (Jeremiah 36:14). ...
/n/nethaniah.htm - 15k

Eli'shama (17 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/e/eli'shama.htm - 10k

Shelemiah (10 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:26, namely, Seraiah, Azriel, Shelemiah. (8) Ancestor of Jehudi
(Jeremiah 36:14). (9) Septuagint omits.) Son of Abdeel ...
/s/shelemiah.htm - 12k

Elishama (17 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Jeremiah 36:21 So the king sent Jehudi
to get the scroll; and he took it out of the chamber of Elishama the scribe. ...
/e/elishama.htm - 13k

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