Jeremiah 6:25

25 Don't go out to the fields; don't walk on the road. For the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side.^[a]

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 grasp bow and javelin. They are cruel and show no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horses, lined up like men in battle formation against you, Daughter Zion.

24 We have heard about it, and we are discouraged. Distress has seized us- pain like a woman in labor.

25 Don't go out to the fields; don't walk on the road. For the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side.

26 My dear people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in the dust. Mourn [as you would for] an only son, a bitter lament, for suddenly the destroyer will come on us.

27 I have appointed you to be an assayer among My people- a refiner- so you may know and assay their way of life.

Footnotes

• [a]. Jr 20:3,10; 49:29; Ps 31:13