Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 4:11-12

"At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A hot wind from the bare heights in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to winnow, nor to cleanse; a full wind from these shall come for me: now will I also utter judgments against them." — Jeremiah 4:11-12 (ASV)

1. Here he describes their arrival with regard to their progress on the route: it will be said, their arrival, a burning wind, that is, the army of the Chaldeans, who will burn the whole land, is already on the roads, which are in the desert, which is between Chaldea and Judea. It is as though he were saying, “The army has already come to that place,” not to winnow, that is, not so that only some might be taken captive, as when grain is cleansed from the chaff—but all of you will be taken captive.

A full wind, that is, complete indignation will come upon you, from these, that is, from the enemy, to me, that is, for my honor. His breath is like a torrent flooding to the middle of the neck, to reduce the nations to nothing (Isaiah 30:28). And through them he threatens that he will execute judgment: and now I—as though I can no longer contain myself—but I will speak my judgments with them. Or: now I, will speak consoling things. As we saw above: I will speak my judgments with them upon all the evil of those who have abandoned me (Jeremiah 1:16).