John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 49:31

"Arise, get you up unto a nation that is at ease, that dwelleth without care, saith Jehovah; that have neither gates nor bars, that dwell alone." — Jeremiah 49:31 (ASV)

He confirms the last verse, repeating what he had already said: Arise, ascend. But he adds, against a quiet nation. This was the deep dwelling of which he had spoken, for the Kedareans, thinking themselves to be, as it were, in another world, were secure. Therefore, he says, against a secure nation. The word שליו, sheliu, means delicate, as we have seen elsewhere, but in this place its meaning is secure. For though there might be no joys there, it is still said to be a secure nation, גוי שליו, gui sheliu—a nation that feared nothing. And then he explains himself: a dweller in confidence, one without fear and anxiety.

He gives the reason: because they had no need of gates and bars, and they dwelt alone. Some interpreters think that the pride of the Kedareans is indicated here, because they would not protect themselves in the usual way and regarded gates and bars as insignificant. But the Prophet’s meaning is different. He suggests that because they were barbarians and shepherds, beyond the reach of envy, they thought that no enemy would ever come to them.

For what are the causes of wars but avarice and ambition? Who would wish to rule over barbarous nations living on their mountains? And wealth cannot be found in a wild, uncultivated country.

Since the Kedareans were like this, the Prophet says that they dwelt securely, though they were not fortified by gates and bars, but lived alone.

He then explains that they lived alone, not because they thought highly of themselves for being solitary and regarded themselves as superior to kings—for solitude often produces pride and obstinacy. Rather, the Prophet’s meaning, as I have said, is quite different. It is because the Kedareans believed they had no need of friends or helpers, since they did not depend on their neighbors for aid but were content with their own isolated lands. At the same time, they did not think any enemy would disturb them, as there was no cause or occasion for it.

So now we perceive again why the Prophet says that they made deep to dwell—that is, they had their dwelling deep. This was because poverty and the absence of all riches were a kind of safe fortress to them. Since they had no splendor and no dignity, they thought themselves exempt from the common fate of other people. Nevertheless, he says that the Chaldeans would come and plunder them of what they had.