Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 25:30

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Jeremiah 25:30

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Jeremiah 25:30

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, Jehovah will roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he will mightily roar against his fold; he will give a shout, as they that tread [the grapes], against all the inhabitants of the earth." — Jeremiah 25:30 (ASV)

He shall mightily roar upon his habitation. —The use of the same English word for two Hebrew words of very different meaning is here remarkably unfortunate.

The first “habitation” is the dwelling-place of Jehovah, from which the thunders of His wrath are heard. The second is the “pasture” or dwelling-place of the flock and its shepherds, as in Jeremiah 6:2, Jeremiah 10:25, and Psalm 79:7, upon whom the storm falls.

Possibly, under its association with this new word, the roaring becomes to the prophet’s mind like that of the lion which attacks the flock. The same bold imagery for the Divine judgments is found in Joel 3:16, Amos 1:2, and Amos 3:8.

A shout, as they that tread the grapes. —The image is reproduced from Isaiah 63:3. The “shout” of those who tread the wine-press, crushing the grapes beneath their feet (Isaiah 16:10), is like the victorious war-cry of the Lord of Hosts, working through human conquerors, and crushing the nations of the earth in His avenging wrath.