John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 15:3

"And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith Jehovah: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy." — Jeremiah 15:3 (ASV)

Jeremiah proceeds with the same subject. He said yesterday that the people were no longer cared for by God, and so nothing remained for them but to perish in various ways, and their final punishment would be exile. He now confirms the same thing, saying that God would prepare against them ravenous birds as well as wild beasts, the sword, and dogs—as if he had said that all animals would be hostile to them and be the executioners of God’s vengeance.

Some render the verb פקד, pekod, 'to visit,' but improperly, as I think; for they must give this version: “I will visit four families upon them;” but there is no sense in this, nor can any sense be elicited from it. The most suitable meaning here is 'to set over': “I will set over them four kinds,” which he calls “four families.” And a contrast is to be understood here: since they thought it hard to obey God, they were now to have over them dogs and wild beasts, and the birds of the air, and the sword.

The meaning is that there would be no end to God’s vengeance and various punishments until the Jews were wholly destroyed. He further intimates that he would have many ready to execute his wrath, as he had all creatures under his control. Since, then, he would employ in his service dogs, birds, and animals, as well as men, the Jews ought to have been assured that they resorted in vain to this or that refuge.

Indeed, we know that people impiously confine the power of God, both with regard to their salvation and the punishment of their sins. For when he passes by any evil, they think they have escaped and promise themselves impunity, as if God were not indeed able every moment to inflict many and various scourges. This, then, is the reason why the Prophet speaks here of four kinds of judgments.