Edom shall be a desolation; every one shall hiss, &c. See note on Jeremiah 18:16. As in the overthrow of Sodom, &c. A proverbial expression, denoting an utter destruction. Behold, he shall come up like a lion, &c. This is a description of Nebuchadnezzar's marching with his army against Idumea, whom the prophet compares to a lion coming out of his den near Jordan. When that river swells, in the time of harvest, the lions, that lie in the thickets on the river side, are raised out of their coverts, and infest the country: see note on Jeremiah 12:5, and Maundrell's Travels, pp. 81, 82. Against the habitation of the strong Hebrew, אל נוה איתן, the strong folds, or rough pastures. The LXX. read εις τοπον Αιθαμ, to the place Aitham, considering the word which we render strong as a proper name. But I will suddenly make him run away from her This clause should rather be rendered, I will rouse him up and make him, run upon her, the preposition מעל, here rendered from likewise signifying upon, and being so rendered by our translators, 1 Kings 9:5. To this purpose the Vulgate, quia subito currere faciam eum ad illam, because I will cause him to run suddenly against her. And who is a chosen man that I may appoint over her? Namely, to spoil and destroy her. What select man shall I employ for this purpose? for it must be one who will do it effectually. Nebuchadnezzar, or his captain-general Nebuzar- adan, seems to be here meant. For who is like me? Who is able, like me, to prepare instruments to perform his work? And who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd? &c. Who will challenge me to meet him in the field, as if we were upon equal terms? or what leader or general can enter the lists with me? “The word shepherd often signifies a prince, or commander. But here it is used in opposition to the lion mentioned before; as if he had said, A shepherd may as well encounter a lion as the best appointed warrior contend with the Almighty, or those whom he makes the instruments of his vengeance.” Lowth.
Related Commentaries of Jeremiah 49:17
Jeremiah 49:17-19
17 Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.
18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?