16. The neighboring foreign "nations" are summoned to witness Jehovah's judgments on His rebel people (Jeremiah 6:18; Jeremiah 6:19). watchers—that is, besiegers (compare 2 Samuel 11:16); observed or watched, that is, besieged. their voice—the war shout. read more
Yahweh’s declaration of divine judgment 4:5-6:30The Judahites-having sinned greatly (ch. 2)-failed to repent (Jeremiah 3:1 to Jeremiah 4:4). Consequently, judgment in the form of military invasion would overtake them. This whole section is an amplification and explanation of the overflowing cauldron vision in Jeremiah 1:13-16.This section provides a clear example of the mosaic structure of the Book of Jeremiah. It consists of 13 separate messages that all deal with the threat of approaching... read more
The intensity and severity of the coming judgment 4:11-18 read more
The Lord continued to instruct Jeremiah to announce to all nations, as well as to Jerusalem, that besiegers were coming from a distant country and would lift their battle cries against Jerusalem. read more
The Prophet Sets Forth the Sin of the Nation and Points Out the Inevitable Result (Reign of Josiah, and Probably Before the Reforms of that King: cp. Jer 3:6)This section furnishes us with the gist of the prophet's testimony during the early years of his ministry, and doubtless represents the commencement of the roll written by Baruch at Jeremiah's dictation. In these five chapters he lays before his hearers the grossness of their conduct in deserting Jehovah, and urges repentance and amendment... read more
Jeremiah’s Fourth Prophecy (or Group of Prophecies). God’s Judgment upon the UnrepentantWhen the check which Josiah’s personal character and influence put upon idolatry was removed, Jeremiah foresaw that the condition of the nation would become well-nigh desperate. read more
5-10. Destruction approaches Jerusalem.6. Set up the standard] to mark out the safest route to those who were seeking the shelter of the walls of Jerusalem. Evil from the north] The enemy (see Jeremiah 4:13) used chariots, and were therefore probably the Chaldeans, not (as some have supposed) Scythians. 7. The lion] i.e. the enemy. Of the Gentiles] RV ’of nations.’10. Jeremiah here struggles against the fate announced for the nation. After all its glorious history and the many promises of... read more
(16) Make ye mention.—Better, Proclaim ye to the nations; behold. Call them to gaze on the ruin of Jerusalem, then, Cry aloud as for Jerusalem, that watchers (i.e., the besieging armies) are coming from a far country, and that they will give out their voice (i.e. raise the cry of war) against the cities of Judah. read more
Plural, Yet Singular Jeremiah 4:2 I want to speak about the plural that runs itself up into the singular. 'Truth, judgment, righteousness.' We cannot get rid of the three; when we sometimes think we are farthest from it we are closest upon it. It is a mystery that is to be reckoned with. Indifference, worldliness, folly, may avoid all these subjects, and thus run a downward and self-extinguishing course. There remains the idea of the three. We cannot, let us say again and again to ourselves,... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Jeremiah 4:16
Jeremiah 4:16. Watchers come, &c.— By these watchers are meant, those who precede an army, and announce its approach, whom Caesar in his Commentaries calls antecessores, or antecursores. Houbigant renders the first clause of the next verse, Like the keepers of a field do they surround her: that is, "These couriers, or spies of the Chaldean army, are as diligent in their observation of Judah and Jerusalem, as the keepers of a field are of the cattle, vineyards, &c. under their care." read more