Verse 1
children = sons.
Benjamin. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), for the whole of Judah, on account of their close connection with the Gibeathites (Judges 19:16. Hosea 9:9; Hosea 10:9).
flee out. In Jeremiah 4:6 it was "flee to". Now Jerusalem itself is to be taken.
blow . . . Tekoa. Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6), for emphasis. Hebrew. bithko"ah . . . tik"u.
Tekoa. Now Khan Teku"a, five miles south of Bethlehem, ten from Jerusalem.
a sign of Are = a fire-signal.
Beth-haccerem = house of the vineyards. Not identified. Conder suggests such a house at "Ain Karim.
evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.
north. Because the armies from Assyria entered the land from the north. See note on Jeremiah 3:12.
destruction = fracture, or damage, as in Jeremiah 6:14.
Verse 2
daughter. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the helpless inhabitants.
woman. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:56). App-92.
Verse 3
shepherds: i.e. the Chaldean armies. See Jeremiah 3:15,
Verse 4
Prepare, &c. = Prosecute a holy war.
at noon. In the heat of the day, when most are resting. Compare Jeremiah 15:8. Song of Solomon 1:7. Isaiah 32:2. See 2 Samuel 4:5.
Woe unto us, &c. See note on Jeremiah 15:8.
Verse 6
the LORD of hosts = Jehovah Zebbaioth, the first of thirtynine occurrences of this title in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 6:6, Jeremiah 6:9; Jeremiah 8:3; Jeremiah 9:7, Jeremiah 9:17; Jeremiah 10:16; Jeremiah 11:17, Jeremiah 11:20, Jeremiah 11:22; Jeremiah 19:11; Jeremiah 20:12; Jeremiah 23:15, &c.)
cast a mount = pour out: i.e. the earth from baskets to make a mount.
Verse 7
fountain. Hebrew. bor = a well, bored or hewn out. Compare 2 Samuel 23:15, 2 Samuel 23:16. 1 Chronicles 11:17. See note on Genesis 21:19.
Verse 8
My soul = I myself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
Verse 9
as a vine. Here, and in Jeremiah 8:13, one Codex (Harley, 5720, B. M., Lond.) reads, "on the vine".
Verse 10
give warning = testify.
ear is uncircumcised. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:12, Exodus 6:30. Leviticus 26:41). Figure of speech Catachresis (App-6). An ear not brought into the covenant.
a reproach. Note the fate of Jehovah"s word in the down-grade of Jeremiah"s days. in Jeremiah 6:10 a reproach; in Jeremiah 8:9, rejected; in Jeremiah 17:15, scoffed at; in Jeremiah 23:36, perverted.
they. So the Mugah Codex quoted in the Massorah. But other codices, with three early printed editions, read "and they".
Verse 11
children = a young child. Hebrew. "ul.
Verse 12
turned unto others. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:30).
saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah"s oracle.
Verse 13
covetousness. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 18:21). App-92.
Verse 14
hurt. Same word as "destruction" (Jeremiah 6:1).
of the daughter. Some codices, with four early printed editions, read these words in the text.
Peace, peace. Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for emphasis. See note on Isaiah 26:3.
Verse 15
could they = knew they how to.
Verse 16
Stand ye, &c. A gracious appeal to avoid the threatened calamity, as in Jeremiah 2:2.
old paths. Compare Jeremiah 18:15.
good = right.
find rest. Compare Matthew 11:29, Matthew 11:30; where a like invitation and promise is given to those who will "learn". Following likewise on a preceding threatening of judgment. Compare Deuteronomy 28:65.
your souls = yourselves (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh.
Verse 17
Hearken = Give ye heed. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "And (therefore) give ye heed".
Verse 18
congregation = assembly (in its civil aspect). Hebrew. "edah, a technical Pentateuchal word. First occurrence in Exodus 12:3, Exodus 12:6, Exodus 12:19, Exodus 12:47. Used technically of Israel, fifteen times in Exodus; twelve in Leviticus; eighty-three times in Numbers. Found in the prophets only here; Jeremiah 30:20; and Hosea 7:12 (reference to Pentateuch) App-92.
Verse 19
evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra"a".
My law. Reference to Pentateuch. Note that "words" and "law" are put alternatively.
Verse 20
incense = frankincense. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, ror the whole incense of which it was an ingredient.
Sheba. In the south of Arabia.
not acceptable. Compare Isaiah 1:11-15.
Verse 21
tower = watchtower; or, an assayer.
try = assay (as an assayer of metals).
way. Some codices read "heart".
Verse 22
the sides, &c. Idiom for a great distance.
Verse 23
roareth = will roar. Compare Isaiah 5:29, Isaiah 5:30. Compare Isaiah 5:29-30.
men. Hebrew. "ish. App-14
Verse 25
fear is on every side = terror is round about. Compare Jeremiah 20:3, Jeremiah 20:10; Jeremiah 46:5; Jeremiah 49:29. Lamentations 2:22.
Verse 26
and. Some codices, with five early printed editions, omit this "and".
Verse 28
brass and iron. Not silver and gold. Compare Ezekiel 22:18.
Verse 29
founder melteth = refiner refineth.
Verse 30
Reprobate . . . rejected. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6). Hebrew. nim"as . . . ma"as: i.e. rejected (silver) . . . rejected (them). Compare Isaiah 1:22. Ezekiel 22:18.