Jeremiah 36:22 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. Winterhouse - A warm apartment suited to the season of the year, (December), when in Palestine there is often snow upon the ground, though it does not last long. A fire on the hearth - a pan or brazier of burning coals. This is the case to the present day. In cold weather the rich burn wood in brass or earthen pans, placed in any part of the room; the indigent burn sticks on the floor.