Jeremiah 4:16

16 make you mention to the nations; behold, publish against Yerushalayim, [that] watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Yehudah.

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.

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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 Yerushalayim, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you?

15 For a voice declares from Dan, and publishes evil from the hills of Efrayim:

16 make you mention to the nations; behold, publish against Yerushalayim, [that] watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Yehudah.

17 As keepers of a field are they against her round about, because she has been rebellious against me, says the LORD.

18 Your way and your doings have procured these things to you; this is your wickedness; for it is bitter, for it reaches to your heart.