Jeremiah 10:17

17 Gather up your bundle from the ground, O you who dwell under siege!

Jeremiah 10:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 10:17

Gather up thy wares out of the land
Or thy merchandise, as the Targum; or thy substance, as the Septuagint; all valuable effects and goods that are movable, which might be carried from place to place. The meaning is, that the Jews would gather up their riches from the several parts of the land of Judea, and bring them to Jerusalem, a fortified place; or they would be in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy. Kimchi interprets the words as if spoken of Babylon, and directed to the Chaldeans, not to be elated with the captivity of Israel; and because the word (enk) signifies "to humble and subdue" he takes the sense to be,

``gather in or contract thine humiliation or subjection;''
that is, of other nations; refrain thyself, or cease from subduing kingdoms; that is now at an end, it shall be no more so; but the words manifestly respect the people of the Jews, as is clear from the next verse. O inhabitant of the fortress;
of the fortress of Zion, or the fortified city, Jerusalem. The Targum is,
``O thou that dwellest in the strong place, in the fortified cities.''
It may be rendered, "that dwellest in the siege" F25; in the besieged city, Jerusalem.
FOOTNOTES:

F25 (rwumb ytbvwy) "quae habitas in obsidione", V. L. Cocceius, Schmidt.

Jeremiah 10:17 In-Context

15 They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
16 Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name.
17 Gather up your bundle from the ground, O you who dwell under siege!
18 For thus says the LORD: "Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and I will bring distress on them, that they may feel it."
19 Woe is me because of my hurt! My wound is grievous. But I said, "Truly this is an affliction, and I must bear it."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.