Jeremiah 4:7

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 4:7

The lion is come up from his thicket ,.... Meaning Nebuchadnezzar F19 So T. Bab. Megilia, fol. 11. 1. & Sanhedrin. fol 94. 2. , from Babylon, who is compared to a lion for his strength, fierceness, and cruelty; see Jeremiah 50:17 so the Roman emperor is called a lion, 2 Timothy 4:17 , agreeably to this the Targum paraphrases it, "a king is gone from his fortress;' or tower; and the Syriac version, "a certain most powerful king is about to go up as a lion out of his wood:'... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:7

The lion is come up - Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. "The king (Nebuchadnezzar) is come up from his tower." - Targum. The destroyer of the Gentiles - Of the nations: of all the people who resisted his authority. He destroyed them all. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 4:7

Verse 7 The Prophet more fully declares the import of the threatening which we briefly considered yesterday; for God said in the former verse, that he would bring an evil from the north; and the kind of evil it was to be he now describes, and compares the king of Babylon to a lion; and afterwards, without a figure, he calls him the destroyer of nations By the similitude of lion he means that the Israelites would not be able to resist; and when he adds that he would be the desolator of nations,... 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 4:7

The lion ; the symbol of irresistible might and royalty ( Genesis 49:7 ; Revelation 5:5 ). Of the Gentiles ; rather, of the nations . There is no reference to the distinction between Jews and Gentiles; the Jews themselves are not allowed to escape. An ordinary lion attacks individual men; this lion destroys nations. Is on his way ; literally, has broken up his encampment—a phrase perhaps suggested by the nomad Scythiaus. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 4:7

Rather, A “lion”... a “destroyer” of nations: a metaphor descriptive of the impending calamity. A lion is just rousing himself from his lair, but no common one. It is destroyer, not of men, but of nations.Is on his way - literally, “has broken up his encampment.” Jeremiah uses a military term strictly referring to the striking of tents in preparation for the march.Without an inhabitant - The final stage of destruction, actually reached in the utter depopulation of Judaea consequent upon... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 4:7-8

Jeremiah 4:7-8. The lion is come up from his thicket Nebuchadnezzar, so called from his fierceness and strength, shall come up from Babylon, where his chief seat is, as lions are principally among the thickets of the forests, in coverts. Babylon being remote and little known to the Jews, they did not expect trouble to arise from thence. The destroyer of the Gentiles Or, rather, the nations; is on his way Is already on his march: another description of the same person, who is so called,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 4:5-31

The coming invasion (4:5-31)Jeremiah now pictures the terrible judgment that will fall on Judah if it does not repent. With the enemy army sweeping down upon Judah from the north, a trumpeter sounds the alarm and the people of Judah flee to their walled cities for safety (5-6). Like an enraged lion the enemy prepares to pounce upon its victim. God is about to pour out his anger on the unfaithful people (7-8).Judah’s leaders, both civil and religious, are shocked at the sudden catastrophe that... read more

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