Jeremiah 4:13

13 "Behold, he ¹goes up like clouds, And his ²chariots like the whirlwind; His horses are ³swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for ⁴we are ruined!"

Jeremiah 4:13 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 4:13

Behold, he shall come up as clouds
Meaning the lion, Nebuchadnezzar, ( Jeremiah 4:7 ) ,

``the king with his army (as the Targum paraphrases it); he shall come up against them as a cloud that ascendeth and covers the earth.''

``come up against them as a cloud that ascendeth and covers the earth.''

The metaphor denotes the swiftness of his coming, and the multitudes he should come with, and that darkness and distress he should bring with him upon the people of the Jews: and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind;
for swiftness, power, and violence: chariots for war are intended; see ( Isaiah 5:28 ) : his horses are swifter than eagles:
the swiftest of birds. The same thing is designed as by the other metaphors; the swiftness and suddenness of the Jews' destruction: woe unto us, for we are spoiled;
their destruction was inevitable, there was no escaping it; and therefore their case was woeful and miserable.

Jeremiah 4:13 In-Context

11 In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, "A scorching wind from the bare heights in the wilderness in the direction of the daughter of My people -not to winnow and not to cleanse,

12 a wind too strong for this -will come at My command; now I will also pronounce judgments against them.

13 "Behold, he goes up like clouds, And his chariots like the whirlwind; His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!"

14 Wash your heart from evil, O Jerusalem, That you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you?

15 For a voice declares from Dan, And proclaims wickedness from Mount Ephraim.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 19:1; Nahum 1:3
• 2. Isaiah 5:28; Isaiah 66:15
• 3. Lamentations 4:19; Habakkuk 1:8
• 4. Isaiah 3:8