Jeremiah 36:23-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 36:23

Three or four leaves; rather, columns or compartments . "Leaves" would imply that it was a book out of which Jehudi read, Whereas it was a roll ( m'gillah never has any other meaning). But "books" were not yet known, nor would a knife have been necessary to separate the pages. He cut it. The subject may be either the king or Jehudi (at the bidding of the king). The term implies that the action of cutting was repeated several times; but we are not to suppose that each successive... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 36:23

The indestructible Word. The king's knife and fire did what they could to destroy the prophet's word, but with what result this chapter shows. The king was Jehoiakim; the prophet, Jeremiah; the word, his written prophecies. It was necessary that these should be written down. The army of Babylon was already in the land, and drawing near to the doomed city of Jerusalem, if they had not already captured it for the first time. There was no hope of successful resistance. Therefore, for a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 36:23

Burning the Word of the Lord. I. THE KING 'S MOTIVES IN THIS ACT . Perhaps he was not conscious of any distinct set of motives. He was but a despot, and despots are in many things like spoiled children; they act not from any clear reason, good or bad, so much as from the caprice of the moment. If this act had been a singularity of Jehoiakim's, there would have been less need to attend to it, but unhappily it only illustrates a whole series of acts by those occupying stations of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 36:24

Yet they were not afraid. Unlike Josiah ( 2 Kings 22:11 ), and even Ahab (1 Kings, 1 Kings 21:27 ). Nor any of his servants; i.e. the courtiers, as opposed to the "princes." read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 36:23

Leaves - Columns: literally folding-doors; the word exactly describes the shape of the columns of writing upon the scroll.Penknife - “Scribe’s knife;” used to shape the reed for writing, and to make erasures in the parchment.On the hearth - Or, in the fire-pan. The conduct of the king shows how violent was his temper. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 36:23

Jeremiah 36:23. When Jehudi had read three or four leaves Hebrew, דלתות , rolls, or scrolls, for their books, as we have observed, consisted of several pieces of parchment rolled upon each other. Dr. Waterland renders the word columns, and Blaney, sections, observing that to render it leaves, “seems rather to carry an eye to the books of modern times, than to suit that ancient mode of writing.” The word primarily signifies doors, that open and shut, and therefore is properly... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 36:24

Jeremiah 36:24. Yet they were not afraid No, not those princes that trembled at the word when they heard it the first time, Jeremiah 36:16. The fear with which they were then seized quickly wore off, or else they durst not discover it in the king’s presence, who showed no concern himself. Nor rent their garments A custom observed among the Jews at the hearing of any dreadful news; neither the king nor any of his servants that heard all these words How different was the spirit of this... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 36:1-32

Jehoiakim burn’s Jeremiah’s scroll (36:1-32)God commanded Jeremiah to write down all the prophecies he had given during the previous twenty years and announce them again to Judah. Perhaps even yet the nation would repent and so escape God’s judgment (36:1-3).Over the next year Jeremiah wrote down the messages, using Baruch as his scribe. Since Jeremiah was forbidden to enter the temple (see 20:1-2; 26:7-9), he arranged for Baruch to go on his behalf and read the scroll to the people (4-7).... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 36:23

leaves = columns. he: i.e. the king. cut it = cut it up into fragments. penknife = a scribe ' s knife. The words of Jehovah are cut up to-day, not with a scribe's knife, but with scribe's pens in the hands of the modern critics. Yet they are "not afraid". read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 36:24

not afraid. The courtiers were less open to holy fear than the People were. See note on Jeremiah 36:9 . Contrast Jehoiakim's father, king Josiah (2 Kings 22:11 ). Contrast also the sentence pronounced on them (2 Kings 22:18-20 with Jeremiah 36:30 , below on "him"). read more

Group of Brands