Jeremiah 4:16

16 Inform the nations; behold, make Jerusalem to hear: Besiegers come from a far country, and raise their voice against the cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 4:16

Make ye mention to the nations
This, according to Kimchi, is the sum and substance of the voice from Dan. It seems to be a summons to the nations to gather together to join the king of Babylon in his enterprise against Jerusalem; see ( 2 Kings 24:2 ) : publish against Jerusalem;
what follows: that watchers come from afar country;
from Babylon, which is said to be a far country, ( Isaiah 39:3 ) , these are the soldiers of the king of Babylon; they are called Notzerim; which word agrees with the latter part of Nebuchadnezzar's name; to which some ^F2 think there is some reference, showing that his army is meant. It should be rendered "besiegers", as it is by some ^F3; for these were not Nebuchadnezzar's bodyguard, but his whole army, who were come up to besiege Jerusalem; and they are compared to watchers and keepers of a field in the next verse, where another word is used. The Targum is,

``the army of a rapacious people, like the grape gatherers, come from a far country:''

and give out their voice against the cities of Judah;
threaten the ruin of them; blow the trumpet, the alarm of war; give the orders to besiege; and, being sure of victory, triumph before the attack is made.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F2 R. Joseph Kimchi, R. Jonah, and Ben Melech, but disapproved of by Abarbinel.
F3 (Myrun) "obsessores", Calvin, Buxtorf; a (rwu) , vel (rru) , "obsedit"; so Jarchi.

Jeremiah 4:16 In-Context

14 Wash thy heart, Jerusalem, from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

15 For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.

16 Inform the nations; behold, make Jerusalem to hear: Besiegers come from a far country, and raise their voice against the cities of Judah.

17 As keepers of a field are they against her round about; for she hath been rebellious against me, saith Jehovah.

18 Thy way and thy doings have procured these [things] unto thee; this is thy wickedness, yea, it is bitter, yea, it reacheth unto thy heart.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit. 'watchers.'