John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 6:27

"I have made thee a trier [and] a fortress among my people; that thou mayest know and try their way." — Jeremiah 6:27 (ASV)

I have set you for a tower
Or "in" one ^F4 ; in a watch tower, to look about and observe the actions of the people, their sins and transgressions, and reprove them for them; as well as to descry the enemy, and give notice of danger; see (Habakkuk 2:1) or, "for a trier"; since the word used comes from one which signifies to "try" metals, as gold and silver; and the rather this may be thought to be the meaning here, since the verb is made use of in this sense in the text; and the metaphor is carried on in the following words; though the word is used for towers in (Isaiah 23:13) (32:14) and may well enough be understood of a watchtower, agreeably with the office of the prophet; who is here addressed as a watchman, and was one to the house of Israel: and as the faithful discharge of his work required courage, as well as diligence and faithfulness, it follows, and for a fortress among my people ;
not to defend them, but himself against them; or he was to consider himself as so under the divine protection, that he was as a fortress or strong tower, impregnable, and not to be dismayed and terrified with their calumnies and threatenings; see (Jeremiah 1:18) :

that you may know and try their way ;
their course and manner of life, whether good or bad; which he would be able to do, being in his watch tower, and in the discharge of his duty; for the ministry of a good man is as a touchstone, by which the principles and practices of men are tried and known; for if it is heard and attended to with pleasure, it shows that the principles and practices of men are good; but if despised and rejected, the contrary is evident, see (1 John 4:5 1 John 4:6) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F4: (Nwxb) "in exploratoria specula", Junius & Tremellius.