Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 4:15

"For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth evil from the hills of Ephraim:" — Jeremiah 4:15 (ASV)

Dan - The border town of Palestine on the north (Deuteronomy 34:1).

Mount Ephraim - The northern boundary of Judea itself. The invading army presses on so rapidly that news of its appearance at Dan has scarcely arrived when fresh messengers announce that it has traversed the whole length of Galilee and is now defiling through the mountains of Samaria.

Affliction - The same word, aven, occurs in (Jeremiah 4:14), and apparently there is a play upon its double meaning: for from a root signifying worthlessness, it is used for both wickedness and misery. Thus, the “iniquity” of Judah also proves to be her “affliction,” as it is the cause of the ruin inflicted by the enemy.