Jeremiah 36:14 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah.... — There must obviously have been some reason for the exceptionally long genealogy thus given. It is probably indicated by the first and last names on the list. Cushi (= Ethiopian) — the name appears, probably with this sense, as that of a courier of Joab’s in 2 Samuel 18:21 — was an alien by birth, who, like Ebed-melech the Ethiopian (Jeremiah 38:7), had gained the favour of one of Jehoiakim’s predecessors, and had become a proselyte. The rule of Deuteronomy 23:8 did not admit of the full incorporation of the descendants of such proselytes — Edomite or Egyptian, the latter term being taken probably as including Ethiopian — till the third generation, and the name Jehudi (= Jew) was naturally enough given to the child who first became entitled to that privilege. The part he takes in the proceedings, though not more than ministerial, indicates sympathy with the prophet, and we may perhaps connect this with the like sympathy shown by Ebed-melech in Jeremiah 38:7. In Psalms 87:4 (probably belonging to the reign of Hezekiah) we have, it may be noted, a record of the admission of such Ethiopian proselytes. The purpose of his mission was to bring Baruch to the council of princes, that they might judge, on hearing the contents of the roll, how far it corresponded with Michaiah’s report. He comes, the princes listen, and the impression made on them is given in Jeremiah 36:16. We note a tone of respect in the request that Baruch would “sit down” — i.e., take the attitude of a teacher (Luke 4:20).