Go not forth into the field,.... Either for pleasure, or for business; to take a walk in it for the air, or to till it, plough, sow, or reap; but keep within the city and its walls, there being danger:
nor walk by the way; in the high road from Jerusalem, to any town or village near it:
for the sword of the enemy: or, "because there is a sword for the enemy" b; or, "the enemy has a sword"; and that drawn; the enemy is in the field, and in the ways, and there is no escaping him:
and fear is on every side; all round the city, being encompassed by the Assyrian army: or, the enemy's sword "is fear on every side" c; causes fear in all parts round the city. The Targum is,
"because the sword of the enemy kills those who are gathered round about;''
or on every side.
b כי חרב לאיוב "quoniam gladius est inimico", Munster, Vatablus, Junius Tremellius "quia (ibi) gladius (qui) hosti", Schmidt. c Gataker.