John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 25:35

"And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape." — Jeremiah 25:35 (ASV)

He explains what we have now observed. He had commanded the pastors to howl and the choicest of the flock to roll or prostrate themselves in the dust. He now gives the reason: because they could not preserve their lives, not even by a shameful flight.

It is indeed very miserable when anyone cannot secure his life except by seeking exile, where he must be poor, needy, and despised. But the Prophet denies even this to the king and his counselors, as well as to the rich throughout the whole city and the entire land: Perish, he says, shall flight from them.

This mode of speaking is common in Hebrew. For instance, David says, “Flight has perished from me,” (Psalms 142:5) which means, 'I find no way of escape.'

So here, Perish shall flight; that is, while looking here and there to escape danger, they will be so trapped on every side that they will inevitably fall prey to their enemies.