John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 49:5

"Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, from all that are round about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth, and there shall be none to gather together the fugitives." — Jeremiah 49:5 (ASV)

Jeremiah finally concludes his prophecy by saying that God would dissipate the foolish confidence with which the Ammonites were filled with pride, because he would bring a terror on them. He sets terror in opposition to the security in which the Ammonites lay dormant, for they were intoxicated, as it were, with their pleasures. And then the strongholds by which they thought themselves protected so hardened their hearts that they feared no danger.

God then sets this terror in opposition to the false arrogance by which they were inflated: I bring, then, a terror from all around thee. This was not added without reason, for the Ammonites thought that they could escape from some side if enemies pressed hard on them. And, as there were many outlets, they thought it impossible that they would fall into the hands of enemies. But God declares that they would be in every way full of fear, for terror would surround and besiege them, so that they could not escape.

He then adds, Ye shall be driven out, every one to his face, or, before his face. This would be the effect of terror, because God would deprive them of all thought, for when we flee in haste and only pay attention to any opening that may present itself, it is evident that we are driven by terror.

As we say in French, Il court devant soi; so the Prophet says here, Ye shall be driven out, every one before his face, that is, “you shall flee wherever a place may be open to you.” He shows that they would be so full of fear that they would not consider which would be the best way, nor think of a safe retreat; they would, in short, think of nothing but flight.

To the same purpose is what follows: There will be none to gather the dispersed. For when trembling seizes the hearts of the multitude, they can still be recalled if one who has more courage than the rest encourages them to stop. We know that many armies have been saved in this way; for regarding soldiers, when suddenly seized with fear, a leader has often been able to gather them again. But the Prophet, when he says that there would be none to call them back from flight, intimates their destruction. He finally adds—