Jeremiah 4:16-18 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-18

God's usual method is to warn before he wounds. In these verses, accordingly, God gives notice to the Jews of the general desolation that would shortly be brought upon them by a foreign invasion. This must be declared and published in all the cities of Judah and streets of Jerusalem, that all might hear and fear, and by this loud alarm be either brought to repentance or left inexcusable. The prediction of this calamity is here given very largely, and in lively expressions, which one would... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:16

Make ye mention to the nations ,.... This, according to Kimchi, is the sum and substance of the voice from Dan. It seems to be a summons to the nations to gather together to join the king of Babylon in his enterprise against Jerusalem; see 2 Kings 24:2 , publish against Jerusalem ; what follows: that watchers come from afar country ; from Babylon, which is said to be a far country, Isaiah 39:3 , these are the soldiers of the king of Babylon; they are called Notzerim; which word... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:17

As keepers of a field, are they against her round about ,.... As those that are set to watch a field, in which are fruit and corn of any sort, that thieves and robbers, and wild beasts, may not enter to waste and destroy, and are placed on all sides for that purpose; so the Chaldeans were round about Jerusalem, that none could make their escape out of it; see 2 Kings 25:4 , because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the Lord ; it was not without reason that the Lord suffered... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:18

Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee ,.... The way in which they walked, which was an evil one; and the actions which they committed; their idolatries, backslidings, and rebellions, before spoken of in this and the preceding chapter, were the cause of this siege, and those calamities coming upon them; they had none to blame but themselves; it was their own sinful ways and works which brought this ruin and destruction on them: this is thy wickedness ; the fruit of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:16

Watchers come from a far country - Persons to besiege fortified places. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:17

As keepers of a field - In the eastern countries grain is often sown in the open country; and, when nearly ripe, guards are placed at different distances round about it to preserve it from being plundered. Jerusalem was watched, like one of these fields, by guards all round about it; so that none could enter to give assistance, and none who wished to escape were permitted to go out. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:16

Verse 16 The beginning of this verse is variously explained. Some read, “Remember ye the nations, “and think that the Prophet says this, because many of the nations were heralds of that vengeance of God, which the Jews despised, as they thought that what the true heralds of God declared were mere fables. They therefore take the meaning of this passage, as though Jeremiah sent the Jews to the nations, intimating that they were unworthy that God should send them his usual teachers. But as the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:17

Verse 17 He intimates here that there would be no escape to the Jews when God brought the Chaldeans, for every egress, all the ways, would be closed up, so that they could not migrate to another land. It is the same as though he had said, that such a calamity was nigh them that they could not escape it by exile, it is indeed a sad thing when men flee away naked as from the fire, and seek a place among strangers, and live there in misery and want; but the Prophet declares here, that so grievous... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:18

Verse 18 As I have just said, the Prophet confirms what he had declared, — that the Jews would not have to suffer, according to what is commonly said, an adverse fortune, but would be summoned by God to judgment, in order that being touched with the fear of God, they might repent, or at least, though destroyed as to the flesh, they might yet, being humbled, obtain pardon and be saved as to the Spirit. He therefore says, that their deeds had done this for them; as though he had said, “There is... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-31

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