Jeremias 6
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Jeremias 6
(5:1-6:30) CONTEXT INSIGHTS This continues the condemnation of Judah's sins. She had a witness in Scripture the true prophets' messages the fall of Israel (cf. Ezek. 23) but she would not repent. This chapter has many commands. Jer. 6:1-8 ‒ YHWH sends an invader from the north flee for safety, Jer. 6:1 ‒ BDB 731, KB 797, Hiphil IMPERATIVE blow a trumpet, Jer. 6:1 ‒ BDB 1075, KB 1785, Qal IMPERATIVE raise a signal, Jer. 6:1 ‒ BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERATIVE prepare war (lit. "sanctify"), Jer. 6:4 ‒ BDB 872, KB 1073, Piel IMPERATIVE arise, Jer. 6:4 ‒ BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE let us attack, Jer. 6:4 ‒ BDB 748, KB 828, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense arise, Jer. 6:5 ‒ same as e let us attack, Jer. 6:5 ‒ same as f destroy, Jer. 6:5 ‒ BDB 1007, KB 1469, Hiphil COHORTATIVE cut down, Jer. 6:6 ‒ BDB 503, KB 500, Qal IMPERATIVE cast up (lit. "pour out,"), Jer. 6:6 ‒ BDB 1049, KB 1629, Qal IMPERATIVE be warned, Jer. 6:8 ‒ BDB 415, KB 418, Niphal IMPERATIVE Jer. 6:9-15 ‒ YHWH's wrath burst forth pass your hand, Jer. 6:9 ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Hiphil IMPERATIVE speak, Jer. 6:10 ‒ BDB 180, KB 210, Piel COHORTATIVE give warning, Jer. 6:10 ‒ BDB 729, KB 795, Hiphil COHORTATIVE hear, Jer. 6:10 ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense pour, Jer. 6:11 ‒ BDB 1049, KB 1629, Qal IMPERATIVE Jer. 6:16-21 ‒ possibly one of Jeremiah's sermons stand by, Jer. 6:16 ‒ BDB 763, KB 840, Qal IMPERATIVE see, Jer. 6:16 ‒ BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE ask, Jer. 6:16 ‒ BDB 981, KB 1371, Qal IMPERATIVE walk, Jer. 6:16 ‒ BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERATIVE find, Jer. 6:16 ‒ BDB 592, KB 619, Qal IMPERATIVE listen, Jer. 6:17 ‒ BDB 904, KB 1151, Hiphil IMPERATIVE know, Jer. 6:18 ‒ BDB 393, KB 390, Qal IMPERATIVE hear, Jer. 6:18 ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE hear, Jer. 6:19 ‒ same as h Jer. 6:22-26 ‒ The invader comes! go out (negated), Jer. 6:25 ‒ BDB 422, KB 425, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense walk (negated), Jer. 6:25 ‒ BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense put on, Jer. 6:26 ‒ BDB 291, KB 291, Qal IMPERATIVE roll, Jer. 6:26 ‒ BDB 814, KB 935, Hithpael IMPERATIVE mourn, Jer. 6:26 ‒ BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE Jer. 6:27-30 ‒ YHWH's message to Jeremiah (much like Jer. 1:18) has no IMPERATIVES Notice the different titles for the covenant people (esp. Jerusalem). "sons of Benjamin," Jer. 6:1 "the daughter of Zion," Jer. 6:2,23 "Jerusalem" Jer. 6:6,8 "the remnant of Israel," Jer. 6:9 "My people," Jer. 6:14,27 "O daughter of my people," Jer. 6:26 Notice the names for YHWH. "the Lord of hosts," Jer. 6:6,9 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD OF HOSTS "the Lord," Jer. 6:10,11,12,15,16,21,22,30 see (SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.)
Jeremias 6:1-8
6:1 "Flee for safety" Usually the ancients fled to their fortified cities for protection (cf. Jer. 4:6, same VERB, same form). But here they are told to flee from the walled city of Jerusalem. ▣ "sons of Benjamin" This was Jeremiah's tribe. Jerusalem was very close to the territory of Benjamin (cf. Josh. 15:63), or in it (cf. Josh. 15:8,63; 18:16; Jdg. 1:21). Therefore, this is a literary way of addressing all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ▣ "blow. . .Tekoa" This is a play on the Hebrew words (blow, ‒ תקעו, BDB 1075, cf. Jer. 4:5; Tekoa ‒ תקוע, BDB 1075) which have the same consonants (also note עקת, "alienated" is from the same root). Tekoa was a city about ten miles south of Jerusalem. ▣ "raise a signal" This refers to a fire signal (cf. Lachish Ostraca, cf. Jdg. 20:38,40), as the line above refers to an audible signal. ▣ "Beth-haccerem" This means "house of a vineyard" (BDB 108 CONSTRUCT BDB 501, cf. Neh. 3:14). This city was southwest of Jerusalem. ▣ "evil looks down from the north" Invaders from Mesopotamia had to follow the Euphrates to its head waters and then go south along the coastal plain because of the desert east of Palestine. Here the invading army is personified as "evil looks down." 6:2 "The comely and dainty one, the daugher of Zion, I will cut off" "I have likened the daughter of Zion to a lovely and delicate woman" "Beautiful, delicate as she is, I shall destroy the daughter of Zion" "I have likened the dauther of Zion to the loveliest pasture" "Your loftiness, O daughter of Zion, shall be removed" "Fair Zion, the lovely and delicate, I will destroy" There are three descriptive terms. comely ‒ BDB 610 ADJECTIVE ‒ Song of Songs 1:5; 2:14; 6:4 VERB (Piel) ‒ Isa. 52:7; Song of Songs 1:10 delicately bred ‒ BDB 772, KB 851, Pual PARTICIPLE (only here) daughter of Zion ‒ common descriptive family phrase; see full note at Jer. 46:11 See a good note on this difficult phrase in UBS Handbook on Jeremiah, p. 180. The Tyndale commentary by R. K. Harrison takes the phrase as a question, "Have I compared you to a pleasant pasture?" (p. 80), like NJB. 6:3 "Shepherds" This is a title used of God (i.e. Psalm 23) and the leaders of God's people (cf. Jer. 2:8; 3:15). Here it is imagery for the invaders who surround the city take over the surrounding lands (possibly bring their own animals in preparation of a long siege) 6:4-5 These are the words of the invaders! They will attack again and again because of the command of YHWH (cf. Jer. 6:6). 6:4 "Prepare" This translation is followed by most ancient and modern translations, but it hides the fact that the MT has "consecrate" (BDB 872, KB 1073, piel IMPERATIVE). The NJB has "prepare for holy war." This catches the implication of the Hebrew root. YHWH has "set apart" the Neo-Babylon army to do His biding (cf. Jer. 22:7; 51:27,28). This is a "reverse" Holy War! ▣ "Woe to us, for the day declines" This expresses the desire of the invaders to attack by daylight, but even if it is night, they will continue the attack (v. 5)! ▣ "at noon. . .at night" The enemy is so fierce that they attack even at unusual times. 6:5 "palaces" This is "fortified towers" or "citadels" (BDB 74, cf. Jer. 17:27; 49:27). 6:6 "cut down her trees" In Deut. 20:19-20, trees were used to build siege instruments, ramps, logs for the siege machines to roll on, firewood for the camp of the enemy, etc., for invading armies. Also the destruction of all of the fruit trees is an idiom of total, complete desolation! ▣ "This is the city to be punished" The UBS Text Project suggests a meaning to this Hebrew phrase, "this is the city which has been investigated" (p. 191). The VERB, פקר (BDB 823) in Hophal (BDB 824, #1) means "to visit" for either blessing or cursing. Here it is visitation by YHWH for the just destruction of an evil, idolatrous, unrepentant capital city (i.e. Jerusalem). What is worse, is that it was YHWH's special city, His special people. ▣ "In whose midst there is only oppression" See Jer. 22:17. 6:7 Jerusalem is compared to a constantly flowing well. As UBS Handbook on Jeremiah points out, the interpretive issue is, Does the VERB of line 1: fresh ‒ (lit. "cold," cf NET Bible) reflect a moral indifference? gushing/bubbling (JPSOA, "flows") fit the context best (NIV)? Number 2 fits the context best. Jerusalem is constantly evil! ▣ "Violence and destruction are heard in her" Her violence (BDB 949) and destruction (BDB 994) were constant! YHWH knew this! He describes their sin as "sickness and wounds" (cf. Jer. 30:12-13; Isa. 1:5-6). As sickness is used as imagery of sin, so healing is used as imagery for forgiveness. Notice the poetic parallelism of Ps. 103:3. ▣ "Sickness and wounds" This could refer to the sin of Jerusalem (i.e. NIV, cf. Isa. 1:4-5, where sin is described as sickness) the evil of the leaders against the poor and powerless (cf. Jer. 6:13) ▣ "are ever before Me" YHWH knows what is happening, especially with the covenant people (i.e. Exod. 3:7) who are His instrument of revelation and salvation to a lost, ignorant world. If they do not live out the covenant revelation of YHWH, then the world does not know Him! The same is now true for the Church. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 6:8 "Be warned" This is literally "accept for yourself discipline" (BDB 415, KB 418, Niphal IMPERATIVE). ▣ "Or I shall be alienated from you" This is literally "torn away" (BDB 429, KB 431, Qal IMPERFECT). It is the worst possible happening. This possibility may be alluded to in Jer. 6:4, line 1, "prepare," NASB, which is literally "sanctify" (BDB 872, KB 1073, Piel IMPERATIVE), which was a "Holy War" term. It was used to address the invaders in Jer. 6:6, but here Judah hopes YHWH will be on her side, but He will not!
Jeremias 6:9-15
6:9 YHWH calls on the invaders to "thoroughly glean" (BDB 760, KB 834; this is the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and Poel IMPERFECT VERB of the same root, used for intensity; see SPECIAL TOPIC: GLEANINGS). Nothing will be left, everyone will be exiled or killed. This may be hyperbolic because of Jer. 4:27; 5:10,18; 30:11; 46:28. The TEV takes this phrase to refer to Jeremiah reaching as many as possible with YHWH's message of repentance (i.e. the remnant). ▣ "the remnant of Israel" For the theological concept of "remnant" see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT (three senses). For "Israel" see SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (the name). One wonders if it means the northern ten tribes (exiled in 722 B.C.) the collective name for Abraham's seed from Jacob. The two nations, Israel and Judah, will be unified again, but by judgment! 6:10 "their ears are closed" In Jer. 6:10 Jeremiah responds to YHWH's charge to keep proclaiming his message. Israel's ears are "uncircumcised" (BDB 790, cf. Jer. 4:4; 9:25-26). They will not/cannot respond (i.e. "listen," BDB 904, KB 1151, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT). This is very similar to Isa. 6:9-13. SPECIAL TOPIC: CIRCUMCISION, IV. C. ▣ "They have no delight in it" God's word (Scripture or the prophetic word or both) was meant to be a joyous thing (cf. Ps. 19:7-10). They have made it a "reproach" (BDB 357). 6:11 Notice how YHWH is described. full of wrath weary with holding it in (cf. Jer. 15:6) will pour it out (cf. Jer. 7:20) on children young men husband and wife the very old This means YHWH's judgment has arrived and it will affect the whole of society (i.e. reverse Holy War, cf. Jer. 6:13,21). 6:12 This verse (Jer. 6:12-15 are repeated in Jer. 8:10-12) describes the consequences of resisting both the Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian armies. They moved conquered people hundreds of miles and relocated others in their homes and on their fields (i.e. Deut. 28:30,38-40; Amos 5:11; Micah 6:15). Notice also that it is not the power of the gods of the invaders/exilers, but the judgment of YHWH on His own people for their sin and idolatry. For "I will stretch out My hand," see SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND. 6:13 Every segment of society is sinful (cf. Jer. 8:10; 16:6; 31:34; 42:1). All are sinful, all will be judged (cf. Jer. 6:11, cf. Rom. 3:10-18). ▣ "greedy for gain" This phrase is from the NOUN and VERB of the same root (BDB130, KB 147, cf. Jer. 8:10; 22:17). It characterizes the wealthy and powerful of Judah's society. ▣ "from the prophet even to the priest" All of Judah's leadership are corrupt. They lie (BDB 1055). There was no one to trust (cf. Jer. 9:1)! 6:14 "They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially" The false prophets (cf. Jer. 8:10-11; 14:14; 23:10-22) and priests denied the problem and tried to cover up the consequences of invasion and exile (cf. Jer. 8:11; Ezek. 13:10; Micah 3:5). ▣ "Peace" This is the Hebrew Shalom (BDB 1022, KB 1532), which means the absence of bad and the presence of good. However, it was a false message! SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE (shalom) 6:15 God's people were not ashamed (BDB 101, KB 116, Hiphil PERFECT, cf. Jer. 3:3; 8:12). They will be! This same VERB root is repeated in line 2 in an intensified grammatical form (i.e. INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB). Jeremiah uses this root many times. ▣ "they shall fall among those who fall" There is a word play on Qal IMPERFECT (BDB 656, KB 709) Qal PARTICIPLE (BDB 656, KB 709) What happened to other rebels will happen to them. This is possibly an allusion to the previous fall of Israel by Assyria in 722 B.C.
Jeremias 6:16-21
6:16 YHWH uses five IMPERATIVES to call His people back to His covenant with them but they refused (see Contextual Insights). God's truths and guidelines were pictured as a clearly marked path (cf. Jer. 18:15; 31:21; Psalm 119; 105; 139:24; Prov. 6:23). This godly path brought rest and peace but they would not! Lifestyle faith is characterized by the VERB "walk" in both the OT and NT (cf. Eph. 2:10; 4:1,17; 5:2,15). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE WAY. . .THE PATH ▣ "you will find rest for your souls" Jesus quotes this in Matt. 11:29. His teachings fulfill the "ancient paths" (i.e. Moses, cf. Jer. 18:15) and surpasses them (cf. Matt. 5:17-19,21-48; the book of Hebrews). For "souls" (nephesh) see notes online at Gen. 35:18; Lev. 17:11; Ezek. 18:4. SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH 6:17 "watchmen" This imagery refers to the prophets (cf. Ezek. 3:16-21; 33:7). 6:18-19 There is a parallelism between O nations (BDB 156) O congregation (BDB 417 II). This line of Jer. 6:18 is left untranslated by AB because of its difficulty and uncertainty, the UBS Handbook on Jeremiah suggests that "O congregation" be revocalized to an INFINITIVE of "know," thereby intensifying the VERB "know" (BDB 393, KB 390; see SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW), p. 196 O earth (BDB 75) These seem to be imagery for witnesses to court testimony and judgment (similar to "O heavens. . . O earth"). Each is matched with an IMPERATIVE. For "earth" see SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH (ארץ) 6:19 "The fruit of their plans" They are reaping what they sowed. This is a recurrent biblical theme (cf. Jer. 17:10). See full list of texts on this biblical truth in Gal. 6:7-10. ▣ "My words. . .My law" YHWH's people were His in name only! They rejected both the Torah/Law of Moses (i.e. the ancient paths, cf. Ps. 16:11; 139:24), as well as the word of the true prophets (cf. Isa. 1:10; 5:24). Their lack of spiritual discernment is exemplified by their devotion to idolatry false prophets (cf. Isa. 29:13) greed and exploitation of the poor SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION SPECIAL TOPIC: IDOLATRY SPECIAL TOPIC: WEALTH 6:20 This is sacrificial terminology. frankincense, BDB 526 I, cf. Exod. 30:34-38; Lev. 2:1, this was used for temple incense; it comes from Sheba (i.e. modern Yemen) sweet cane, BDB 373 II and 889, cf. Exod. 30:23-25, this was one term for the holy anointing oil, possibly from India burnt offerings, BDB 750, these were wholly burnt offerings symbolizing total dedication (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BURNT OFFERINGS) sacrifices, BDB 257, cf. Lev. 7:15-18; 19:5-8, the offerer retained part for a fellowship meal to eat with friends and YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE OFFERING) ▣ "your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me" This is a shocking phrase (cf. Jer. 7:21-23; Isa. 1:11-14; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-23; Micah 6:6-7). It was not the sacrificial system (which YHWH instigated), but the attitude and faithless lifestyle of the worshipers that He rejected (i.e. Cain, Gen. 4, also note Jer. 7:23; Isa. 1:16-17; Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8). 6:21 The imagery of this verse refers to the "ancient paths" of Jer. 6:16. As walking on the path of God (i.e. Scripture, or the prophetic word) was a source of life, peace, and joy, anything that blocked that path (cf. Isa. 8:14-15) caused pain, trouble, and confusion. The path God's people were on was not His path! They refused to listen and repent, so there were societal and individual consequences! YHWH disciplines His people for their ultimate good! SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY
Jeremias 6:22-26
6:22-26 This strophe describes the Mesopotamian invaders (cf. Jer. 50:41-43). they come from the north they are a great nation they are aroused by God they seize bow and spear (BDB 475 I, "javelin" in 1 Sam. 17:6 or "sword" in DSS) they are cruel and have no mercy (cf. Isa. 13:18) their voices roar (cf. Isa. 5:30; 17:12) they ride horses (cf. Jer. 4:13,19) It also describes Zion's response. they have heard the report their hands are limp (from fear, cf. Isa. 13:7; Zeph. 3:16) anguish seizes them (like childbirth) they (Qere) are afraid to travel they grieve (see SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES) put on sackcloth roll in ashes (cf. Jer. 25:34) mourn as for an only son (cf. Amos 8:10; Zech. 12:10) lament bitterly The destroyer will come suddenly! 6:23 "O daughter of Zion" See full notes at Jer. 46:11. 6:25 "Terror is on every side" This is a recurrent phrase in Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 20:3-4,10; 46:5; 49:29).
Jeremias 6:27-30
6:27-30 This strophe is directed towards Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 1:18). YHWH has made him an assayer (BDB 103) a tester (NASB, LXX, REB) a fortification (BDB 131, NKJV) a refiner (NJB, JPSOA) These are rare usages of these roots, which usually denote towers and fortifications, but the context of Jer. 6:27-30 demands it. The strophe continues by YHWH's description of His people. stubborn (BDB 711) rebellious (BDB 710, KB 779, Qal PARTICIPLE) talebearers (BDB 940) bronze and iron (cf. Ezek. 22:18) corrupt (BDB 1007, KB 1469, Hiphil PARTICIPLE) YHWH tries to purify them as silver (BDB 549, KB 540, Niphal PARTICIPLE) but they would not, therefore, He has "rejected them" (BDB 549, KB 540, Qal PERFECT). 6:29 "fire" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE ▣ "the refining goes on" This is a Qal PERFECT VERB used to show intensity.