Jeremiah 8:14

"Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the fortified cities, and let us be silent there; for Jehovah our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against Jehovah. We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay! The snorting of the horses is heard from Dan; and the sound of the neighing of his strong ones the whole land trembleth; for they are come, and have devoured the land and all that is in it; the city and those that dwell therein. For, behold, I will send serpents, adders, among you, which will not be charmed; and they shall bite you, saith Jehovah."

Note that in Jeremiah 8:14, the outlying communities surrounding Jerusalem have decided to flee to the fortified cities, realizing that all hope is lost and thinking, perhaps, to survive a little longer there; but even there they expect only to be "put to silence," a euphemism for "put to death." Note too that in this verse the betrayal of the people by their false prophets was at last recognized by the people. What has opened the eyes of the people?

"The war horses of the Chaldeans can be heard snorting already in Dan!"[21]

"I will send serpents, adders among you ..." (Jeremiah 8:17). Jeremiah loved to change his metaphors; and here we have another example of it. The invading Babylonians are symbolized by poisonous serpents that could not be charmed. "The invading army, sent to execute God's sentence, is now compared to snakes, which no charming can soothe, and the bite of which is fatal."[22]