John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 9:22

"Speak, Thus saith Jehovah, The dead bodies of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman; and none shall gather [them]." — Jeremiah 9:22 (ASV)

Although Jeremiah continues the same subject, he nevertheless introduces a preface—that he had been commanded to declare what he says here; for because of the strangeness of the event, the prophecy seemed unbelievable. He might, indeed, have proceeded with the subject, and omitted the words, “Thus saith Jehovah,” and have begun thus: “Fall shall the carcase of man,” etc. But, as I have said, this prophecy seemed to the majority as worthless, as though it were a fable. It was therefore necessary to introduce these words—that he came forth bearing God’s command; and he at the same time shows that he added nothing of his own, but that God Himself spoke. We now perceive why these few words were introduced.

He afterwards says that the carcases of men would be cast forth as dung. He speaks by way of reproach, as if he had said that all would without honor be laid prostrate by their enemies. And he adds a comparison: They shall fall, he says, on the face of the field; that is, everywhere throughout all the fields they shall fall as dung, which is cast forth and which causes nausea by its sight and by its smell.

Thus the Prophet here denotes stench and a repulsive sight by the comparison of dung; yet we know with what pride they were then filled. This threat, then, was very disagreeable to them; but since they flattered themselves in their vices, it was all the more necessary to treat them roughly. For this is how hypocrites ought to be dealt with, who indulge their own delusions: the more boldly they rise up against God, the more violently they ought to be cast down, so that they may at last humble themselves under the mighty hand of God.

He adds another comparison, As a handful, etc. Jerome renders it “hay.” If עמיד omid, were found elsewhere in this sense, I would willingly adopt this meaning; but I rather think that it means those ears of grain which are not gathered while the reapers collect their handfuls. They do not, indeed, leave complete handfuls, nor cast them away; but it happens, through carelessness, that a few ears escape them. Then the Prophet says that the Jews would be like those ears of grain which the reapers pass by and leave behind. There is no one afterwards to gather them, and these ears of grain which thus remain in the field either rot of themselves or are devoured by cattle or wild beasts. He then means that there would be no residue of the people, for all, from the least to the greatest, would be given up to destruction.

This is the meaning; and at the same time he expresses contempt. For when reapers do not collect the whole produce of the field, there are still the poor, who gather the ears of grain; but when they are trodden under foot, and when there is no one to gather them, it signifies contempt; and this is what the Prophet intended to express.