Jeremiah 6:1

“O ye children of Benjamin, etc.] 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…”

“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.”

“Jeremiah addresses the men of Benjamin, either as being his own tribesmen, or as a name appropriate to the people of Jerusalem, which also was situate in the tribe of Benjamin. Gather yourselves to flee - Gather your goods together to remove them to a place of safety. Blow the trumpet in Tekoa - The name of Tekoa is almost identical with the verb “to blow”: but it was not chosen merely for the alliteration, but because it was the last town in Judaea (about 11 miles south of Jerusalem), upon the very border of the desert, where the fugitives would halt. A sign - Rather, a signal. Beth-haccerem - Or, the “Vineyard-House,” which was situated halfway between Jerusalem and Tekoa. Appeareth - “Is…”

“Benjamin - Judah, when the ten tribes fell off, the tribe of Benjamin adhered to Judah, and was incorporated into them; if it be asked why the prophet rather speaks to Benjamin than to Judah, the reason probably may be, because he being of Anathoth was of that tribe, and therefore mentions them as his own countrymen. Gather - Gather yourselves together by the sound of the trumpet at Tekoa, one of those fenced cities twelve miles from Jerusalem that Rehoboam built. A sign - Fire a beacon. Beth - haccerem - Signifies the house of the vineyard, probably some high tower built among the vineyards for the keepers of them to watch them. Jeremiah 6:3”

“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.”

“O ye: Jos 15:63, Jos 18:21-28; Jdg 1:21 gather: Jer 4:29, Jer 10:17, Jer 10:18 blow: Jer 4:5, Jer 4:6, Jer 4:19, Jer 4:20 Tekoa: Sa2 14:2; Ch2 11:6; Amo 1:1 Bethhaccerem: Neh 3:14 evil: Jer 6:22, Jer 1:14, Jer 1:15, Jer 4:6, Jer 10:22, Jer 25:9; Eze 26:7-21 Jeremiah 6:2”

“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…”