Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 22:6

"For thus saith Jehovah concerning the house of the king of Judah: Thou art Gilead unto me, [and] the head of Lebanon; [yet] surely I will make thee a wilderness, [and] cities which are not inhabited." — Jeremiah 22:6 (ASV)

Omit "and." Thou art a Gilead unto me, a summit of Lebanon.

Yet surely – literally, "if not," the form of an oath with the imprecation omitted. For the full form, see Numbers 14:23.

A wilderness, and cities – Omit "and." The meaning is: If the house of David does not hear God’s words, though it is now grand as Lebanon, God will make it a wilderness, even uninhabited cities; the house of David being regarded as equivalent to the kingdom of Judah.