Jeremiah 4:5-18

The Enemy's Approach. Warning is given by the horn, and guidance, to the refugees fleeing to Jerusalem, by the standard; they are bidden to bring (their families) into safety (not flee for safety). The lion-like foe draws near to destroy, and the courage (Hebrew heart, Jeremiah 4:9) of Judah's leaders fails them. The prophets will say that they have been deceived in prophesying prosperity (cf. Jeremiah 6:14; Jeremiah 14:13; Jeremiah 23:17; Jeremiah's own prophecies were in marked contrast, see on Jeremiah 28). A sirocco blast blows on Judah, too strong (Jeremiah 4:12 mg.) to winnow, and to distinguish the grain from the chaff. The foe approaches, cloud-like in numbers, vulturelike in speed. Hark! one declareth (so Jeremiah 4:15), from the extreme north of the land, and then from the mountains a few miles north of Jerusalem (Ephraim), that the watchers (i.e. besiegers) are at hand. The bitterness of heart-felt sorrow is the result of Judah's wickedness.

Jeremiah 4:10. said I: read, with Cod. A of LXX and the Arabic Version, they will say.

Jeremiah 4:13. The eagle of RV is the griffon-vulture

Jeremiah 4:15. Dan: cf. the proverbial phrase, from Dan unto Beersheba, Judges 20:1.