Jeremiah 6
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
ZION'S FOES PREPARE WAR AGAINST HER: HER SINS ARE THE CAUSE. (Jer. 6:1-30) Benjamin--Jerusalem was situated in the tribe of Benjamin, which was here separated from that of Judah by the valley of Hinnom. Though it was inhabited partly by Benjamites, partly by men of Judah, he addresses the former as being his own countrymen. blow . . . trumpet . . . Tekoa--Tikehu, Tekoa form a play on sounds. The birthplace of Amos. Beth-haccerem--meaning in Hebrew, "vineyard-house." It and Tekoa were a few miles south of Jerusalem. As the enemy came from the north, the inhabitants of the surrounding country would naturally flee southwards. The fire-signal on the hills gave warning of danger approaching.
Open source ↗O ye children of Benjamin,.... The tribe of Benjamin was with the tribe of Judah, and continued with that in the pure worship of God when the ten tribes revolted; and in the land of Israel, when they were carried captive; and besides, Jerusalem, at least part of it, was in the tribe of Benjamin, and particularly Anathoth, which was Jeremiah's native place, was in that tribe; and this altogether is a reason why the children of Benjamin are so distinctly addressed: gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem; where some of this tribe lived, or had betaken themselves for safety: or the Jews in general may be meant; for, as Ephraim is often put for the ten tribes, so Benjamin may be put for the two tribes, as Judah frequently is: or the words may be rendered, "be ye strong" (i) "out of the midst of Jerusalem"; as by the Septuagint, and others; and the sense may be, gather together in bodies out of Jerusalem, and form yourselves into companies, and into an army, and be prepared to meet the enemy, and fight him, who is near at hand; quit yourselves like men, and be strong; show courage and valour; perhaps this is spoken ironically, as Kimchi thinks it is; though he interprets the word, "flee ye"; that is, if ye can find a place to flee to; and the Targum is, "remove out of the midst of Jerusalem;'' but it seems rather to be a direction to go forth and meet the enemy, by what follows: and blow the trumpet in Tekoa; as an alarm of war, to give the people notice of an invasion; that the enemy was at hand, and therefore should provide themselves with armour, and gather together to meet and oppose him. Tekoa was a city in Judah, Ch2 11:5, famous, for a wise woman in it, in the times of David, Sa2 14:2. Jerom says it was twelve miles from Jerusalem, and might be seen wi…
Open source ↗The Judgment is Irrevocably Decreed. - A hostile army approaches from the north, and lays siege to Jerusalem, in order to storm the city (Jer 6:1-8). None is spared, since the people rejects all counsels to reform (Jer 6:9-15). Since it will not repent, it will fall by the hands of the enemy, in spite of the outward sacrificial service (Jer 6:16-21). The enemy will smite Zion without mercy, seeing that the trial of the people has brought about no change for the better in them (Jer 6:22-30). Jer 6:1-2 The judgment breaking over Jerusalem. - Jer 6:1. "Flee, ye sons of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and in Tekoa blow the trumpet, and over Beth-haccerem set up a sign; for evil approaCheth from the north, and great destruction. Jer 6:2. The comely and the delicate - I lay waste the daughter of Zion. Jer 6:3. To her come shepherds with their flocks, pitch their tents about her round about, and devour each his portion. Jer 6:4. Sanctify war against her; arise, let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day declineth; for the shadows of evening lengthen. Jer 6:5. Arise, let us go up by night, and destroy her palaces. Jer 6:6. For thus hath Jahveh of hosts spoken, Hew down wood, and pile up against Jerusalem a rampart; she is the city that is (to be) punished, she is all full of oppression in her midst. Jer 6:7. As a fountain pours forth its water, so pours she forth her wickedness: violence and spoiling is heard in her; before my face continually, wounds and smiting. Jer 6:8. Be warned, Jerusalem, lest my soul tear herself from thee, lest I make thee a waste, a land uninhabited." In graphic delineation of the enemy's approach against Jerusalem, the prophet calls on the people to flee. As regarded its situation, Jerusalem belonged to the tribe of Benjamin; the boundary…
Open source ↗Here is I. Judgment threatened against Judah and Jerusalem. The city and the country were at this time secure and under no apprehension of danger; they saw no cloud gathering, but every thing looked safe and serene: but the prophet tells them that they shall shortly be invaded by a foreign power, an army shall be brought against them from the north, which shall lay all waste, and shall cause not only a general consternation, but a general desolation. It is here foretold, 1. That the alarm of this should be loud and terrible. This is represented, Jer 6:1. The children of Benjamin, in which tribe part of Jerusalem lay, are here called to shift for their own safety in the country; for the city (to which it was first thought advisable for them to flee, Jer 4:5, Jer 4:6) would soon be made too hot for them, and they would find it the wisest course to flee out of the midst of it. It is common, in public frights, for the people to think any place safer than that in which they are; and therefore those in the city are for shifting into the country, in hopes there to escape out of danger, and those in the country are for shifting into the city, in hopes there to make head against the danger; but it is all in vain when evil pursues sinners with commission. They are told to send the alarm into the country, and to do what they can for their own safety: Blow the trumpet in Tekoa, a city which lay twelve miles north from Jerusalem. Let them be stirred up to stand upon their guard: Set up a sign of fire (that is, kindle the beacons) in Beth-haccerem, the house of the vineyard, which lay on a hill between Jerusalem and Tekoa. Prepare to make a vigorous resistance, for the evil appears out of the north. This may be taken ironically: "Betake yourselves to the best methods you can think of…
Open source ↗6:1-9 The invasion from the north, probably by the Babylonians in 605 BC, was moving toward the kingdom of Judah. As the Lord’s messenger, Jeremiah had the duty of arousing the people so that they could find shelter. 6:1 Jeremiah’s parents lived in the tribal area of Benjamin, a narrow strip of land oriented east to west a few miles north of Jerusalem. Amos had lived in Tekoa, about twelve miles south of Jerusalem (Amos 1:1). • Beth-hakkerem was about three miles south of Jerusalem, overlooking Bethlehem.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory עוּז (ʻûwz, H5756) — to be strong; causatively, to stregthen, i.e. (figuratively) to save (by flight) קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine תָּקַע (tâqaʻ, H8628) — to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive… שׁוֹפָר (shôwphâr, H7782) — a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn תְּקוֹעַ (Tᵉqôwaʻ, H8620) — Tekoa, a place in Palestine נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מַשְׂאֵת (masʼêth, H4864) — properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame);… בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם (Bêyth hak-Kerem, H1021) — Beth-hak-Kerem, a place in Palestine רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שָׁקַף (shâqaph, H8259) — properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a… צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown)
Open source ↗דָּמָה (dâmâh, H1820) — to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem נָוֶה (nâveh, H5116) — (adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home,… עָנַג (ʻânag, H6026) — to be soft or pliable, i.e. (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious
Open source ↗רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) תָּקַע (tâqaʻ, H8628) — to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… צֹהַר (tsôhar, H6672) — a light (i.e. window); dual double light, i.e. noon אוֹי (ʼôwy, H188) — lamentation; also interjectionally Oh! יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. צֵלֶל (tsêlel, H6752) — shade עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used…
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) אַרְמוֹן (ʼarmôwn, H759) — a citadel (from its height)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6097) — timber שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… סֹלְלָה (çôlᵉlâh, H5550) — a military mound, i.e. rampart of besiegers יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… עֹשֶׁק (ʻôsheq, H6233) — injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial…
Open source ↗בּוֹר (bôwr, H953) — a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison) קוּר (qûwr, H6979) — to trench; by implication, to throw forth; to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall)… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain שֹׁד (shôd, H7701) — violence, ravage שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… חֳלִי (chŏlîy, H2483) — malady, anxiety, calamity מַכָּה (makkâh, H4347) — a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
Open source ↗יָסַר (yâçar, H3256) — to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… יָקַע (yâqaʻ, H3363) — properly, to sever oneself, i.e. (by implication) to be dislocated; figuratively, to… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שְׁמָמָה (shᵉmâmâh, H8077) — devastation; figuratively, astonishment אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… עָלַל (ʻâlal, H5953) — to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean (also figuratively); by implication (in a… שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בָּצַר (bâtsar, H1219) — to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification) סַלְסִלָּה (çalçillâh, H5552) — a twig (as pendulous)
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… עוּד (ʻûwd, H5749) — to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration);… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) עָרֵל (ʻârêl, H6189) — uncircumcised (i.e. still having the prepuce uncurtailed) יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) קָשַׁב (qâshab, H7181) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to…
Open source ↗מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4392) — full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness;… חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God לָאָה (lâʼâh, H3811) — to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted כּוּל (kûwl, H3557) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses) שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… עוֹלֵל (ʻôwlêl, H5768) — a suckling חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors סוֹד (çôwd, H5475) — a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy,… בָּחוּר (bâchûwr, H970) — properly, selected, i.e. a youth (often collective) יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by…
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent בָּצַע (bâtsaʻ, H1214) — figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop בֶּצַע (betsaʻ, H1215) — plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
Open source ↗רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7495) — properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7667) — a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The Dung Gate was repaired by Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem. He rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
This is what the LORD says: “Behold, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is stirred up from the ends of the earth.
The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.
So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time.
He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,
Every city flees at the sound of the horseman and archer. They enter the thickets and climb among the rocks. Every city is abandoned; no inhabitant is left.
Listen! The sound of a report is coming— a great commotion from the land to the north. The cities of Judah will be made a desolation, a haunt for jackals.
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation.
But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the descendants of Judah.
These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.