Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 6
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 6
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 6
"Flee for safety, ye children of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth-haccherem; for evil looketh forth from the north, and a great destruction." — Jeremiah 6:1 (ASV)
Jeremiah addresses the men of Benjamin, either as being his own tribesmen or as a name appropriate to the people of Jerusalem, which also was situated in the tribe of Benjamin.
Gather yourselves to flee – Gather your goods together to remove them to a place of safety.
Blow the trumpet in Tekoa – The name of Tekoa is almost identical with the verb “to blow”; but it was not chosen merely for the alliteration, but because it was the last town in Judea (about 11 miles south of Jerusalem), upon the very border of the desert, where the fugitives would halt.
A sign – Rather, a signal.
Beth-haccerem – Or, the “Vineyard-House,” which was situated halfway between Jerusalem and Tekoa.
Appeareth – “Is bending over;” is bending forward in eagerness to seize its prey.
"The comely and delicate one, the daughter of Zion, will I cut off." — Jeremiah 6:2 (ASV)
The whole verse is difficult, but should probably be translated: to a pasturage, even a luxuriant pasturage, have I likened (or, have reduced to silence, that is, destroyed) the daughter of Zion.
"Shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place." — Jeremiah 6:3 (ASV)
To it shall come shepherds with their flocks:
They have pitched upon it their tents round about:
They have pastured each his hand, that is, side.
The pasture is so abundant that each feeds his flock, that is, plunders Jerusalem, at the side of his own tent.
"Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day declineth, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out." — Jeremiah 6:4 (ASV)
Prepare ye war - Rather, Sanctify war against her. War in ancient times was never undertaken without religious solemnities (see Deuteronomy 20:2 note). For some of these, compare to Ezekiel 21:21-23.
At noon - The mid-day heat is so great in the East as to be usually passed under shelter (2 Samuel 4:5; Song of Solomon 1:7). The morning-march of an army was made fasting, and was usually over by eight or nine. But so great is the impatience of the Chaldeans for the assault that they cry, “We will make the assault at noon!”
Woe unto us! - Or,
Alas for us! “for the day” has turned
For the evening shadows are lengthening!
"Arise, and let us go up by night, and let us destroy her palaces." — Jeremiah 6:5 (ASV)
Up! and we will make the assault by night!
And destroy her palaces.
The generals delay the assault until the next morning. The soldiers consider themselves aggrieved at this, and clamor for a night attack.
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