King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 36:23 Mean?

Jeremiah 36:23 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 36:23 · KJV

Context

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.

25

Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.

Read Jeremiah 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet Jehoiakim the king of Judah 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. This verse records one of Scripture's most dramatic acts of defiance against God's word. The Hebrew ta'ar hasofer ("penknife" or "scribe's knife") was typically used for sharpening reed pens and cutting scrolls—tools meant for preserving God's word, now weaponized against it. The deliberate, methodical burning—column by column as it was read—reveals calculated contempt, not impulsive anger.

The striking contrast with Josiah's response to discovering Scripture (2 Kings 22:11-13) could not be sharper. Josiah tore his clothes in repentance; Jehoiakim tears the scroll in rebellion. Josiah trembled at God's word; Jehoiakim treats it with disdain. This illustrates Jesus' parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23)—the same word produces vastly different responses depending on the heart's condition.

Theologically, this passage teaches: (1) Human opposition cannot nullify God's word—God simply commands it rewritten (verse 28); (2) rejecting God's word brings inevitable judgment (verses 30-31); (3) the heart's disposition toward Scripture reveals one's true spiritual state; and (4) God's word outlasts all attempts to destroy it. Church history repeatedly demonstrates this pattern: from Diocletian's edict burning Bibles (303 CE) to modern persecution, God's word endures while its opponents perish.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jehoiakim's action occurred in the ninth month (verse 9), corresponding to December—hence the fire on the hearth for warmth. The king sat in his winter house (verse 22), the royal palace's seasonal quarters. The casual, comfortable setting makes the act more chilling—this wasn't mob violence but calculated contempt by Judah's highest authority in his own residence.

Archaeological parallel: The Qumran scrolls discovered at the Dead Sea show how carefully Jewish scribes treated Scripture centuries later, demonstrating the horror Jehoiakim's act would evoke in later Jewish consciousness. His burning of God's word epitomized the covenant apostasy that made exile necessary. Remarkably, the scroll's destruction didn't prevent its preservation—we possess Jeremiah's prophecies today because God commanded their rewriting, with additions (verse 32). God's word proves indestructible.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what subtle ways might we 'cut up' Scripture by selectively accepting only comfortable passages while rejecting challenging ones?
  2. How does Jehoiakim's and Josiah's contrasting responses to God's word challenge you to examine your own heart's receptivity?
  3. What does the indestructibility of God's word despite human opposition teach about engaging in Scripture translation and distribution today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיְהִ֣י׀1 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּקְר֣וֹא2 of 24

“had read”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

יְהוּדִ֗י3 of 24

“And it came to pass that when Jehudi”

H3065

jehudi, an israelite

שָׁלֹ֣שׁ4 of 24

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

דְּלָתוֹת֮5 of 24

“leaves”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

וְאַרְבָּעָה֒6 of 24

“or four”

H702

four

יִֽקְרָעֶ֙הָ֙7 of 24

“he cut”

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

בְּתַ֣עַר8 of 24

“it with the penknife”

H8593

a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)

הַסֹּפֵ֔ר9 of 24
H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

וְהַשְׁלֵ֕ךְ10 of 24

“and cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אֶל11 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאֵ֖שׁ12 of 24

“in the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶל14 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָֽח׃15 of 24

“that was on the hearth”

H254

a fire-pot or chafing dish

עַד16 of 24
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

תֹּם֙17 of 24

“was consumed”

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

כָּל18 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמְּגִלָּ֔ה19 of 24

“until all the roll”

H4039

a roll

עַל20 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאֵ֖שׁ21 of 24

“in the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר22 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל23 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָֽח׃24 of 24

“that was on the hearth”

H254

a fire-pot or chafing dish

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 36:23 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 36:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 22:8Proverbs 13:13Proverbs 21:301 Kings 22:27Isaiah 28:14-15Proverbs 19:21

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