Jeremiah 6:25

25 You must not go out [into] the field, and you must not walk on the road, for {the enemy has a sword}, terror [is] all around.

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 [The] bow and [the] short sword they grasp [are] cruel, and they show no mercy. Their sound roars like the sea, and on horses they ride, drawn up like a man for battle against you, O daughter of Zion."

24 We have heard news of it, our hands grow slack, anxiety has grasped us, pain as a [woman who] gives birth.

25 You must not go out [into] the field, and you must not walk on the road, for {the enemy has a sword}, terror [is] all around.

26 O daughter of my people, gird yourself [with] sackcloth, and roll about in the ashes in mourning, a mourning ceremony [as for] an only child. Make for yourself wailing of bitterness, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.

27 "I have made you an assayer among my people, a fortification, so that you may know and put to the test their ways.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "a sword for enemy"