Jeremiah 36:23

“And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, etc.] 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 Rabbinsf692 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…”

“three or four leaves--not distinct leaves as in a book, but the consecutive spaces on the long roll in the shape of doors (whence the Hebrew name is derived), into which the writing is divided: as the books of Moses in the synagogue in the present day are written in a long parchment rolled round a stick, the writing divided into columns, like pages. pen-knife--the writer's knife with which the reed, used as a pen, was mended. "He" refers to the king (Jer 36:22). As often as Jehudi read three or four columns, the king cut asunder the part of the roll read; and so he treated the whole, until all the parts read consecutively were cut and burnt; Jer 36:24, "all these words," implies that the…”

“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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“He - The king not having patience to hear above three or four columns, or periods, cut it in pieces and burned it in the fire. Jeremiah 36:25”

“36:23-24 Jehoiakim was so antagonistic and hardened that after three or four columns of the scroll were read, he cut off the section with a sharp knife and threw it into the fire. Jehoiakim’s father, Josiah, had responded very differently when the newly discovered Book of the Law was read to him (2 Kgs 22:11).”

“he cut: Jer 36:29-31; Deu 29:19-21; Kg1 22:8, Kg1 22:27; Psa 50:17; Pro 1:30, Pro 5:12, Pro 13:13; Pro 19:21, Pro 21:30, Pro 29:1; Isa 5:18, Isa 5:19, Isa 28:14, Isa 28:15, Isa 28:17-22; Rev 22:19 Jeremiah 36:24”