Jeremiah 6:25

25 Don’t go out to the fields! Don’t travel on the roads! The enemy’s sword is everywhere and terrorizes us at every turn!

Jeremiah 6:25 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 6:25

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" ^F2; 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" ^F3; 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (bwyal brx yk) "quoniam gladius est inimico", Munster, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius; "quia (ibi) gladius (qui) hosti", Schmidt.
F3 Gataker.

Jeremiah 6:25 In-Context

23 They are armed with bows and spears. They are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like a roaring sea as they ride forward on horses. They are coming in battle formation, planning to destroy you, beautiful Jerusalem. ”

24 We have heard reports about the enemy, and we wring our hands in fright. Pangs of anguish have gripped us, like those of a woman in labor.

25 Don’t go out to the fields! Don’t travel on the roads! The enemy’s sword is everywhere and terrorizes us at every turn!

26 Oh, my people, dress yourselves in burlap and sit among the ashes. Mourn and weep bitterly, as for the loss of an only son. For suddenly the destroying armies will be upon you!

27 “Jeremiah, I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people.