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

JEREMIAH 36:22KJV
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Jeremiah 36:22 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 36:22 mean?

Jeremiah 36:22 describes King Jehoiakim sitting in his winter house during the ninth month, with a fire burning on the hearth in front of him. The verse paints a clear picture of the king’s comfortable setting as he listens to the reading of Jeremiah’s scroll.

This scene takes place in the court of Judah’s king, Jehoiakim, during a cold time of year (the ninth month, roughly November–December). The “winterhouse” was a special part of the palace designed for warmth, and the fire on the hearth highlights the contrast between the king’s comfort and the serious message being delivered to him by Jeremiah’s scroll.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 36:22

  • “Winterhouse” (בֵּית הַחֹרֶף, beit hachoref): This word refers to a part of the palace built for use during the colder months, showing that the king had different living quarters for different seasons.
  • “Ninth month” (חֹדֶשׁ הַתְּשִׁעִי, chodesh hat’shi‘i): This is a specific reference to the Hebrew calendar, placing the event in late autumn or early winter, which explains the need for a fire.
  • “Hearth” (אַח, ach): This word points to a brazier or firepot, not a Western-style fireplace, indicating a portable source of heat typical for ancient Near Eastern homes.

Why Jeremiah 36:22 matters

  • The verse sets a vivid scene that contrasts the king’s physical comfort with the spiritual warning he is about to ignore, highlighting his indifference.
  • Understanding the “winterhouse” and the timing helps readers picture the historical setting and daily life in the royal court of ancient Judah.
  • This detail prepares the reader for the king’s dismissive reaction to Jeremiah’s message, emphasizing the seriousness of his response in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“hearth” Hebrew H254 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 36:23 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.

“winterhouse” Hebrew H2779 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
  • Psalms 74:17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
  • Amos 3:15 And I will smite the winter house with the summer house; and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the LORD.

“ninth” Hebrew H8671 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 25:22 And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:11 The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
  • Jeremiah 39:1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

“burning” Hebrew H1197 · used in 90 verses

  • Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
  • Isaiah 30:27 Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: