Jeremiah 6 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments
  • Jeremiah 6:1 open_in_new

    Benjamin] Jerusalem was within the territory assigned to this tribe. Tekoa] 11m. S. of Jerusalem, and in the line of flight for its inhabitants seeking to escape an enemy from the N. A sign of fire] a warning signal. Beth-hacoerem] probably a hill between Jerusalem and Tekoa, and thus suitable for a beacon station.

  • Jeremiah 6:2 open_in_new

    RV 'The comely and delicate one, the daughter of Zion will I cut off,' a tenderly worded lament over the ill-fated city. Daughter] is used for the inhabitants collectively.

  • Jeremiah 6:3 open_in_new

    A figure of the devastating enemy. Flocks eating the herbage on every side are a figure to express dévastation.

    4, 5. The invaders propose a determined and continuous attack.

  • Jeremiah 6:6 open_in_new

    Hew ye down trees] to clear the approaches to the city. Cast a mount] earth was carried in baskets and poured in a heap until it was on a level with the walls: cp. this method of assault in 2 Kings 19:32; Isaiah 29:3.

    To be visited] with punishment.

  • Jeremiah 6:9 open_in_new

    Into the baskets] RM 'upon the shoots.' As the grape-gatherer goes back over the tendrils, lest he should have missed any of the fruit, so the people shall be subject to sue-cessive gleanings at the hand of their conquerors, who are here addressed.

  • Jeremiah 6:14 open_in_new

    They] the leaders, prophets, and priests.

    The hurt] the sins and shortcomings. They are like physicians who for their own ease assure their patients that all is well.

  • Jeremiah 6:16 open_in_new

    God's appeal. 'A national calamity is at hand. As prudent men ye will desire to avoid it. Make enquiries what paths led your ancestors to prosperity. Were they those of idolatry or of true religion and purity?'

  • Jeremiah 6:20 open_in_new

    Sheba] in the S. of Arabia. The general sense of the v. is, 'To obey is better than sacrifice' (1 Samuel 15:22). Cane] i.e. calamus, a sweet-scented reed, used in making the anointing oil.

  • Jeremiah 6:21 open_in_new

    Stumblingblocks, etc.] the enemy's invasion, which would, as it were, trip them up in their easy-going ways.

    22-24. The approaching invader. These vv. are repeated with necessary changes in Jeremiah 50:41-43 where Babylon is the object of the threat.

  • Jeremiah 6:23 open_in_new

    The Assyrian monuments show us rows of impaled victims hanging round the walls of besieged towns, also men collecting in heaps hands cut off from the vanquished enemy.

  • Jeremiah 6:25 open_in_new

    Fear is on every side] a favourite expression with Jeremiah (20:3mg, 10; Jeremiah 46:5; Jeremiah 49:29).

    27-30. The nation incapable of reform. Jehovah reassures Jeremiah of his divine commission. The prophet appears under the figure of one testing metal by smelting. The result of the process is that no precious metal is found. All is dross.

  • Jeremiah 6:29 open_in_new

    All the prophet's fervour is without effect. Nothing of value rewards the long assay. Are burned] RV 'blow fiercely.'

    Plucked away] i.e. eliminated from the good.

  • Jeremiah 6:30 open_in_new

    Reprobate] RV 'refuse.'

    Jeremiah's Fourth Prophecy (or Group of Prophecies). God's Judgment upon the Unrepentant

    When the check which Josiah's personal character and influence put upon idolatry was removed, Jeremiah foresaw that the condition of the nation would become well-nigh desperate.

    The Prophet Sets Forth the Sin of the Nation and Points Out the Inevitable Result (Reign of Josiah, and Probably Before the Reforms of that King: cp. Jeremiah 3:6)

    This section furnishes us with the gist of the prophet's testimony during the early years of his ministry, and doubtless represents the commencement of the roll written by Baruch at Jeremiah's dictation. In these five Chapter s he lays before his hearers the grossness of their conduct in deserting Jehovah, and urges repentance and amendment while yet the impending judgment is delayed. For the idolatrous and 'high place' worship of the period see Intro., and cp. Intro, to Hosea.