And say, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God,
&c.] Since the people of the Jews would not hear the word of the Lord, the mountains are called upon to hear it; unless the inhabitants of the mountains are meant: thus saith the Lord God to the mountains and to the hills, to the
rivers and to the valleys:
these are addressed, because idols were worshipped here; as upon the mountains and hills, so by rivers of water, and also in valleys, as in the valley of Hinnom idols were worshipped; upon mountains and hills, because they thought themselves nearer to heaven; by rivers, because of purity; and in valleys, because shady and obscure, and had something solemn and venerable in them: behold I, [even] I, will bring a sword upon you;
that is, upon the idolaters, which worshipped in these places; otherwise different instruments, as pick axes would have been more proper. The Targum paraphrases it,
``them that kill with the sword;''meaning the Chaldeans, who doubtless are intended: and I will destroy your high places;