John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 6:1

"Flee for safety, ye children of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth-haccherem; for evil looketh forth from the north, and a great destruction." — Jeremiah 6:1 (ASV)

We have already seen that often punishment is not only mentioned by this Prophet as being near, but is also set, as it were, before our eyes. We have shown the reason for this—because men are not only deaf but wholly thoughtless whenever God threatens them. As reproofs make no impression, and even threats are not sufficient to arouse and awaken them, it is necessary to set before them vivid descriptions and to represent the event as present.

Jeremiah continues this mode of teaching. He addresses the tribe of Benjamin, for one half of Jerusalem was in the territory of that tribe. As he was from Anathoth, he addresses his own people and relatives rather than others, as he could use greater freedom. Had he directly reproved the Jews, they might not have tolerated him so well; but as he begins with his neighbors, the tribe of Benjamin, it became easier to bear his reproofs.

Some understand the words as Be ye assembled, and flee; others read, Go ye in haste, but for what reason I do not know. I do not think that flight is meant here; I rather regard the Prophet as ironically encouraging the citizens of Jerusalem and their neighbors to go forth, as is usual, to meet their enemies. This we may easily learn from the context: Be ye assembled, he says, from the midst of Jerusalem; that is, be aroused and go forth. He indirectly condemns their indulgences, for they had been lying, as it were, in the bosom of their mother. Like infants in the womb, the Jews were not apprehensive of any danger; they indulged themselves and were wholly secure and thoughtless. Hence he says, From the midst of Jerusalem be ye assembled.

Then he says, Blow ye the trumpet in Tekoa. They were accustomed, no doubt, when any danger was near, to blow the trumpet in that town. Then the citizens of Jerusalem went forth in large bodies to resist their enemies, for the Prophet follows the usual custom and speaks as of things well-known.

And set up a sign on the house of Haccerem, הכרם. No doubt this place was so called because many forces were planted there. It means literally “the house of the vineyard.” It is, indeed, a proper name, but its etymology ought to be kept in mind, for as vines were usually planted on hills, it is probable that this place stood high, and a sign might have been given from there to many around.

He therefore says, Set up a sign, משאת, meshat, a word derived from נשא, nesha, which is also found here. But some interpreters render it “fire” or “bonfire”; others “banner”; and others “tower.” Those who render it “tower” or “citadel” have no reason in their favor, for towers could not have been suddenly raised up. But it is probable, as I have already said, that a sign was given from there to those around, as from a watchtower, whenever there was any cause of fear. I am therefore inclined to take the word as meaning a sign, for the word “banner” would have been too restricted. Literally it is, “Elevate an elevation.” The word “sign,” then, is the most suitable.

For an evil, he says, from the north has appeared. The Prophet points out from where ruin would soon come, even from the Chaldeans, for God had appointed them as the ministers and the executioners of his vengeance in destroying Jerusalem and the whole tribe of Judah.

Hence we see what the Prophet means: he ridicules the Jews, who were asleep in their vices, promising themselves impunity and despising all the judgments of God. Be now assembled from the midst of Jerusalem, he says, as though he said that they could not be safe in the city without going forth to meet their enemies. Blow ye the trumpet in Tekoa. And then he adds, Let the inhabitants of Bethhaccerem (that is, of the house of the vineyard) set up signals; for an evil is near and a great distress—from whom? From the Chaldeans. The prediction was more likely to be believed when he thus pointed out their enemies, as it were, with his finger.