Jeremiah 36:23

23 And when Jehudi had read three pages, either four, he cutted it with the knife of a scribe, and casted into the fire (he cut it with a writer's knife, and threw it into the fire), that was in the pan, till all the book was wasted by the fire, that was in the pan.

Jeremiah 36:23 Meaning and 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

---

FOOTNOTES:

F19 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 his hand, or lay near him. It is difficult to say who it was that did this; whether Jehudi that read the roll, or Jehoiakim the king that heard it; most interpreters understand it of the latter; but the connection of the words carries it to the former; for the nearest antecedent to the relative he is Jehudi; though it is highly probable he did it at the king's command; or, however, saw by his countenance and behaviour that such an action would be grateful to him; and that he was highly displeased with what had been read, and could not hear any longer with patience: 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;
that is, he cast it into the fire, and there let it lie, until it was wholly consumed; a very impious action, to burn the word of God; a full evidence of an ungodly mind; a clear proof of the enmity of the heart against God, and of its indignation against his word and servants; and yet a vain attempt to frustrate the divine predictions in it, or avert the judgments threatened; but the ready way to bring them on.
F19 T. Hieros. Moed Katon, fol. 83. 2.

Jeremiah 36:23 In-Context

21 Therefore the king sent Jehudi, that he should take the book. Which took the book from the treasury of Elishama, the scribe, and read in audience of the king, and of all the princes that stood about the king. (And so the king sent Jehudi, to get the book. Who brought the book from the chamber of Elishama, the writer, or the court secretary, and then he read it before the king, and before all the officers who stood about the king.)

22 Forsooth the king sat in the winter house, in the ninth month; and a pan full of coals was set before him.

23 And when Jehudi had read three pages, either four, he cutted it with the knife of a scribe, and casted into the fire (he cut it with a writer's knife, and threw it into the fire), that was in the pan, till all the book was wasted by the fire, that was in the pan.

24 And the king, and all his servants, that heard all these words, dreaded not, neither rent their clothes. (And the king, and all his officers, who heard all these words, did not fear, nor tore their clothes.)

25 Nevertheless Elnathan, and Delaiah, and Gemariah against-said [to] the king, that he should not burn the book; and he heard not them (but he would not listen to them).