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?
He shall come up - Nebuchadnezzar, or Nebuzaradan; the name would at once suggest itself to the minds of the hearers (Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 46:18).
From the swelling of Jordan - as a lion, which the overflow of the Jordan forced out of his lair on the banks to ascend the neighbouring heights (Calvin). See as to the other translation, 'pride of the Jordan,' note, Jeremiah 12:5. Against the habitation of the strong - the fastnesses of Idumea (cf. Numbers 24:21, "Strong is thy dwelling-place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock"). Literally, here, 'against the habitation of the rock' (Gesenius) ['eeytaan, from yaatan, to be perennial or durable, or a root, 'iyt, rough, strong]. Maurer translates, 'An ever-verdant (literally, perennial) pasturage' - i:e., Idumea heretofore having enjoyed uninterrupted tranquillity; so in Jeremiah 49:20 the image is retained, the Idumeans being compared to "a flock," and their king to "a shepherd," in this verse, and the enemy to "a lion" (cf. Jeremiah 50:17-19). The English version accords more with the Hebrew, which implies a place habitable, but having rugged and precipitous access or approaches, and so a stronghold.
But I will suddenly make him run away - in the twinkling of an eye, as the Hebrew implies - х 'argiy`aah (H7280)], 'I will give a wink, (and) I will make him run' - i:e., in a moment I will make him run. So in Proverbs 12:19 the same Hebrew is translated.
From her. I will make Nebuzar-adan enter Idumea, and then, having in the twinkling of an eye effected the conquest, go away speedily elsewhere. Instead of "but" translate 'FOR.' Grotius translates, 'run upon her,' or 'to her,' instead of "run away from her." But the Hebrew х min (H4480)] means from, rather than to or upon. Maurer understands it, 'I will make him (the Idumean) run away from her' - i:e., from his own land; the similar change of reference of the pronouns (Jeremiah 50:44) favours this.
Who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? God calls the choicest warriors to Him to set "over" the work of devastating Idumea. God will surely execute His purpose, for He can call forth from all sides what agents He choose.
Who is like me? - (Exodus 15:11, "Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?")
Who will appoint me the time? - namely, for entering into a trial in judgment with me (see margin, 'convent me in judgment'). Image from law courts (Job 9:19).
Shepherd - leader of the Idumeans; following up the previous image, "a lion;" no Idumean shepherd shall withstand the lion sent by Yahweh (Job 41:10), or save the Idumean flock.