King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:22 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:22 in the King James Version says “Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.”

Jeremiah 36:22 · KJV

Context

20

And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.

21

So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.

22

Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.

23

And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife , and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.

24

Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. The winterhouse (bet hachoref, בֵּית הַחֹרֶף) was a separate palace structure designed for cold weather, featuring thick walls and small windows to retain heat. The ninth month (Kislev, כִּסְלֵו, November-December) was indeed winter in Judah's hill country, requiring fires for comfort. The fire on the hearth (ha'ach lifanav, הָאָח לְפָנָיו, literally "the brazier before him") becomes a weapon in the next verses.

This domestic detail is theologically loaded. The king sits in warmth, comfort, and security—physically and politically insulated—while Jeremiah's scroll warns of fire coming to consume Jerusalem. The irony is devastating: Jehoiakim uses fire for comfort and soon will use it to destroy God's word, but God's word declares that fire will destroy Jehoiakim's kingdom (21:14, 34:22). The scene evokes Amos's condemnation of those "who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches" (Amos 6:4) while ignoring coming judgment. The king's luxury contrasts with the urgent warning in the scroll.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The winterhouse indicates Jehoiakim's wealth and building projects. According to Jeremiah 22:13-14, Jehoiakim built "a wide house and large chambers" with "windows, ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion," using forced labor and refusing to pay wages. While his people suffered under heavy taxation and Babylonian threats, the king enjoyed palatial comfort. This ninth month (Kislev) of his fifth year would have been late 604 BC, after Nebuchadnezzar's victory at Carchemish but before Babylon's full siege of Jerusalem. The political situation was precarious—Jehoiakim had shifted allegiance from Egypt to Babylon and would soon rebel again (2 Kings 24:1), bringing catastrophe. The winter setting emphasizes the king's false sense of security, warming himself while judgment approached.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the contrast between Jehoiakim's comfort and the scroll's warning illustrate the danger of physical security blinding us to spiritual peril?
  2. What does the detail of the winterhouse and fire reveal about the king's priorities and self-perception?
  3. In what ways might material comfort and security hinder our ability to hear and respond to God's warnings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְהַמֶּ֗לֶךְ1 of 10

“Now the king”

H4428

a king

יוֹשֵׁב֙2 of 10

“sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בֵּ֣ית3 of 10

“in the winterhouse”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַחֹ֔רֶף4 of 10
H2779

properly, the crop gathered, i.e., (by implication) the autumn (and winter) season; figuratively, ripeness of age

בַּחֹ֖דֶשׁ5 of 10

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַתְּשִׁיעִ֑י6 of 10

“in the ninth”

H8671

ninth

וְאֶת7 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֖ח8 of 10

“and there was a fire on the hearth”

H254

a fire-pot or chafing dish

לְפָנָ֥יו9 of 10

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מְבֹעָֽרֶת׃10 of 10

“burning”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 36:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 36:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 3:15Jeremiah 3:20Jeremiah 36:9Jeremiah 22:14-16

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