Jeremiah 36:22-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 36:20-32

We have traced the roll to the people, and to the princes, and here we are to follow it to the king; and we find, I. That, upon notice given him concerning it, he sent for it, and ordered it to be read to him, Jer. 36:20, 21. He did not desire that Baruch would come and read it himself, who could read it more intelligently and with more authority and affection than any one else; nor did he order one of his princes to do it (though it would have been no disparagement to the greatest of them),... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 36:22

Now the king sat in the winter house, in the ninth month ,.... The month Cisleu, which answers to part of November, and part of December; and so was the midst of winter, and a proper time for the king to be in his winter house; though, as this was a fast day, it would have been more proper for him to have been at the worship of God in the temple, Jeremiah 36:9 . This winter house probably was a winter parlour, as distinguished from a summer parlour, Judges 3:20 ; and both might be under... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 36:23

And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves ,.... Either three or four of the breadths of parchment, which were glued together, and rolled up; or three or four of the columns in those breadths. The meaning is, he had read a few of them. The Rabbins F19 T. Hieros. Moed Katon, fol. 83. 2. would have it, that three or four verses in the book of the Lamentations are meant: he cut it with the penknife ; that is, he cut the roll to pieces with a penknife he had in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 36:22

Winterhouse - A warm apartment suited to the season of the year, (December), when in Palestine there is often snow upon the ground, though it does not last long. A fire on the hearth - a pan or brazier of burning coals. This is the case to the present day. In cold weather the rich burn wood in brass or earthen pans, placed in any part of the room; the indigent burn sticks on the floor. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 36:23

When Jehudi had read three or four leaves - Rather columns; for the law, and the sacred Hebrew Books, are written in columns of a certain breadth. דלתות delathoth , signifies gates or openings between column and column, or between section and section. He cut it with the penknife - הספר בתער bethaar hassopher , "the knife of the scribe," properly enough penknife. And cast it into the fire - To show his contempt for God's words. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 36:23

Verse 23 Here Jeremiah shews how little he had effected; for the king not only cast aside but tore the roll into pieces, and after having torn it, he wished its memory to perish, for he cast it into the fire. This trial must have grievously affected the mind of the Prophet; he had dictated that roll by God’s command; he saw now that all his labor had been in vain. He might then have complained to God that so much labor had been spent without fruit. For why had God bidden the roll to be written,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 36:1-32

CHAPTERS 36-38. NARRATIVE OF EVENTS PRECEDING THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM . Jeremiah 36:1-32 . THE ROLL OF PROPHECY DESTROYED BY JEHOIAKIM . Now, it is remarkable, and points the way to a solution of the problem, that Jeremiah 25:1-38 . is said ( Jeremiah 25:1 ) to have been written in the very same year to which the narrative before us refers, and that it is mainly concerned with the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar and its consequences (indeed, entirely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 36:1-32

Hearers of God's Word. This chapter brings before us an instructive variety of these hearers. I. SUCH AS THE PROPHET . To him and such as he the Word of God came, and was received with reverent submission and diligently obeyed at all costs. They could say, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." II. SUCH AS THE PEOPLE GENERALLY . ( Jeremiah 36:10 .) The mass seemed unaffected. We do not read of their being in any wise wrought upon by what they had heard. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 36:20-26

Jehoiakim's penknife, This became a proverbial phrase for religious indifference of the most callous description. Not that Jehoiakim actually cut the roll himself; but Jehudi, who did it, was evidently under his orders. It is a little uncertain as to whether the whole of the manuscript, or a part only, was read; but as "had read" represents an imperfect tease, and the words "till all the roll was consumed" imply a gradual process, it seems more probable that the former was the ease. There... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 36:22

In the winter house; i.e. that part of the royal palace which was arranged for a winter habitation (comp. Amos 3:15 ). According to Dr. Thomson, the more airy part of a house is called "summerhouse," and the more sheltered room "winter house." The ninth month, in which the events now being related took place, corresponded approximately to our December. It was, therefore, the cold and rainy season; December is a stormy month in Palestine. A fire on the hearth; rather, in the chafing... read more

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