Jeremiah 4:31 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 4:19-31

The prophet is here in an agony, and cries out like one upon the rack of pain with some acute distemper, or as a woman in travail. The expressions are very pathetic and moving, enough to melt a heart of stone into compassion: My bowels! my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; and yet well, and in health himself, and nothing ails him. Note, A good man, in such a bad world as this is, cannot but be a man of sorrows. My heart makes a noise in me, through the tumult of my spirits, and I cannot... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:31

For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail ,.... So the distress of the Jews, at the time of their destruction, is compared to the sorrows of a woman in travail; and a word, that signifies that is used to express it, Matthew 24:8 , and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child ; whose time is more difficult, her pains sharper, her anguish greater, and, having less experience, the more impatient: the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself ; her... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:31

Bringeth forth her first child - In such a case the fear, danger, and pain were naturally the greatest. Spreadeth her hands - The gesture indicated by nature to signify distress, and implore help. We have met with this figure in other parts, and among the classic writers it is frequent. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:31

Verse 31 By these words Jeremiah confirms what the latter part of the preceding verse contains: nor was it for the sake of elucidating his subject that he enlarged on it; but when he saw his own nation so hard and almost like stones, he employed many words and set forth in various ways what he might have expressed in one sentence: and what he taught would have been often coldly received, had he not added exhortations and threatenings. It was on this account that he now expresses in other words... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-31

A revelation of grievous purport has suddenly reached the prophet. See how the foe draws nearer and nearer, and how alarm drives the scattered population to seek for refuge in the fortified cities. Can such be the issue of the promises of peace with which Jehovah has encouraged his people? Such are the contents of the first paragraph ( Jeremiah 4:5-10 ). Next,-in short, detached figures the prophet sets forth the sin of the people and its punishment. Like a scorching simoom is the former;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-31

The proclamation of woe. Such is the character of this entire section, and we observe upon this proclamation— I. THAT , LIKE ALL SUCH , IT IS PROMPTED BY DIVINE LOVE . The most fearful judgments contained in the whole Bible are those denounced by our Lord Jesus Christ. The most awful words ever spoken are those which proceeded out of the mouth of him at whose graciousness all-men wondered. It is evident, therefore, that they were the utterances, as is this one here,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:30-31

Broken reeds, concerning which note— I. WHAT THEY ARE . They are the friends that are kept simply by either: 1. Wealth . "Though thou clothest thyself with crimson" ( Jeremiah 4:30 ). The garb of the rich, telling how Jerusalem had won some of her professed friends. 2. Splendor . "Deckest thee with ornaments of gold." Jerusalem could make a grand show, put on much pomp by which the eyes of men were dazzled and deceived. And outward show will deceive many men.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:31

For I have heard a voice , etc. This explains the preceding statement, "They will seek thy life." It is this murderous plot which calls forth the "cry as of a woman in pangs." Bewaileth herself; rather, sigheth deeply . Her hands; literally, her palms . Is wearied because of murderers; rather, fainteth into the hands of (literally, is treaty unto ) the murderers . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:31

There shall be weeping. The text is a solemn and awful declaration of the retribution of God upon impenitent men. I. NO TRUTH MORE DOUBTED OR DENIED THAN THIS . Lot was "to his sons in law as one that mocked." And so it is still; this truth scarce gains any hearing and yet less belief. Reasons of this are: the prevalent skepticism as to all religious belief; the special dislike to such a subject as this; false views as to the love of God; the busy energy of the evil... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 4:31

For a cry have I heard as of one writhing in vain:Anguish as of one that bringeth forth her first-born:The cry of the daughter of Zion.She gasps for breath: she stretches out her palms:Woe is me! for my soul faints before the murderers. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 4:19-31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:31

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:31

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:30-31

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:31

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:31

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 4:31

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