Jeremiah 13:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 13:12-21

Here is, I. A judgment threatened against this people that would quite intoxicate them. This doom is pronounced against them in a figure, to make it the more taken notice of and the more affecting (Jer. 13:12): Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, every bottle shall be filled with wine; that is, those that by their sins have made themselves vessels of wrath fitted to destruction shall be filled with the wrath of God as a bottle is with wine; and, as every vessel of mercy prepared for glory shall... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 13:20

Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north ,.... There are a Keri and a Cetib of the words "lift up" and "behold"; they are written in the singular number, and may be considered as directed to the king, as the words following are; and they are read in the plural number, the state and whole body of the people being called upon to observe the Chaldean army, which came from the north; and is represented as on the march, just at hand to invade, besiege, take, and carry them... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 13:20

Where is the flock - thy beautiful flock? - Jerusalem is addressed. Where are the prosperous multitudes of men, women, and children? Alas! are they not driven before the Babylonians, who have taken them captive? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 13:20

Verse 20 We here see that Egypt and Chaldea are set in opposition, the one to the other; as though the Prophet had said, “Whenever anything is said to you about the Chaldeans, ye turn your eyes to Egypt, as though that would be a quiet residence for you; but God will prevent you from having any escape there. Now see, see your enemies who are coming from another quarter, even from Chaldea. Lift up then your eyes.” As they were so very intent on their present ease, he bids them to lift up their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:1-27

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:20

Lift up your eyes . The verb is fern. sing; the pronoun (in suffix form) masc. plu,—a clear indication that the person addressed is a collective. Probably the "daughter of Zion" is intended, which, in a certain sense, might be called the "shepherd" or leader of the rest of the nation. From the north . Again this horror of the north as the source of calamity (see on Jeremiah 14:1-22 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:20

The neglected trust demanded. "Where is the flock that was given thee," etc.? This word is addressed to the rulers of Judah and Jerusalem. Their people, the nation over whom they ruled, were God's flock, his "beautiful flock." That flock had been entrusted to the rulers' care. The influence of those in power was very great. As were the leaders of the people—especially the king—so were the people themselves. They could be led like a flock, and were so. Tremendous, therefore, was the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:20

A searching question to the shepherd. The position of a king towards his people wag illustrated by the position of a shepherd towards his flock. Hence the question here was doubtless meant for the special attention of the king. The nation was largely in the hands of the king for the time being. Formal authority belonged to him, and it was generally joined with corresponding power; hence the responsibility by which he was justly held for the exercise of his authority, and yet it is plain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 13:20-21

The captivity being still (in spite of the perfect tense) a thing of the future, the prophet can seek to awaken the conscience of the careless under-shepherd by showing how serf-caused is his (or rather her) punishment. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 13:20

Jerusalem is asked where the cities, which once lay grouped round her, like a goodly flock of sheep, are gone? The question implies blame. read more

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