Overview
Gemariah was a royal scribe and son of Shaphan, a prominent official in Judah's government. When the prophet Jeremiah was prevented from entering the temple, he commissioned Baruch to read his written prophecies publicly in Gemariah's chamber on a fast day. Gemariah's room served as a venue for God's Word to reach the people of Jerusalem.
Key Scriptures
"So Baruch read it aloud to all the people who came to the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah son of Shaphan the secretary" (Jeremiah 36:10, NIV).
"When Micaiah son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the LORD from the scroll, he went down to the secretary's room in the royal palace" (Jeremiah 36:11-12, NIV).
Application
Gemariah's willingness to provide space for God's Word demonstrates how believers today can be instruments for sharing Scripture with others, even when direct proclamation faces obstacles.