John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 49:17

"And Edom shall become an astonishment: every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof." — Jeremiah 49:17 (ASV)

Here again, the Prophet confirms what he had said. We have previously stated how necessary such a repetition was, because no one could have thought that destruction was so near the Idumeans. He did not then repeat what he had said in order to explain more clearly what might have been otherwise obscure, but to fix more fully in the hearts of the faithful what appeared incredible.

He then says that Edom would become a waste; and then, that everyone passing by it would be astonished and hiss on account of all her wounds, or strokes. Hissing may refer to derision, or to astonishment, or, at least, to wonder: for many hiss or shake the head through mockery; and others hiss through wonder, when any unusual thing happens. And as he had said before, Whosoever shall pass through it shall be astonished, I am disposed to refer this also to what is produced by wonder or amazement.