Jeremiah 4:16

16 “Tell this to the nations, proclaim concerning Jerusalem: ‘A besieging army is coming from a distant land, raising a war cry against the cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 4:16 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
16 Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 Warn the nations that he is coming; announce to Jerusalem, "Besiegers come from a distant land; they shout against the cities of Judah.
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 “Warn the surrounding nations and announce this to Jerusalem: The enemy is coming from a distant land, raising a battle cry against the towns of Judah.
The Message Bible (MSG)
16 Make the report public. Broadcast the news to Jerusalem: "Invaders from far off are raising war cries against Judah's towns.
American Standard Version (ASV)
16 make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, [that] watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
16 Warn the nations about these things. Bring them to the attention of Jerusalem. "Hostile troops are coming from a distant country. They are shouting battle cries against the cities of Judah.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16 Warn the nations: Look! Proclaim to Jerusalem: Those who besiege are coming from a distant land; they raise their voices against the cities of Judah.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
16 "Tell the nations. Warn Jerusalem. Say, 'An army will attack you. It is coming from a land far away. It will shout a war cry against the cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 4:16

Make ye mention to the nations
This, according to Kimchi, is the sum and substance of the voice from Dan. It seems to be a summons to the nations to gather together to join the king of Babylon in his enterprise against Jerusalem; see ( 2 Kings 24:2 ) : publish against Jerusalem;
what follows: that watchers come from afar country;
from Babylon, which is said to be a far country, ( Isaiah 39:3 ) , these are the soldiers of the king of Babylon; they are called Notzerim; which word agrees with the latter part of Nebuchadnezzar's name; to which some F2 think there is some reference, showing that his army is meant. It should be rendered "besiegers", as it is by some F3; for these were not Nebuchadnezzar's bodyguard, but his whole army, who were come up to besiege Jerusalem; and they are compared to watchers and keepers of a field in the next verse, where another word is used. The Targum is,

``the army of a rapacious people, like the grape gatherers, come from a far country:''
and give out their voice against the cities of Judah;
threaten the ruin of them; blow the trumpet, the alarm of war; give the orders to besiege; and, being sure of victory, triumph before the attack is made.
FOOTNOTES:

F2 R. Joseph Kimchi, R. Jonah, and Ben Melech, but disapproved of by Abarbinel.
F3 (Myrun) "obsessores", Calvin, Buxtorf; a (rwu) , vel (rru) , "obsedit"; so Jarchi.

Jeremiah 4:16 In-Context

14 Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?
15 A voice is announcing from Dan, proclaiming disaster from the hills of Ephraim.
16 “Tell this to the nations, proclaim concerning Jerusalem: ‘A besieging army is coming from a distant land, raising a war cry against the cities of Judah.
17 They surround her like men guarding a field, because she has rebelled against me,’ ” declares the LORD.
18 “Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart!”

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 28:49
  • 2. ver 19; Ezekiel 21:22
  • 3. S Jeremiah 1:15
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