Jeremiah 8:17

“For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, etc.] The Chaldeans, comparable to these noxious and hurtful creatures, because of the mischief they should do unto them. The Targum is, “for, lo, I will raise up against you people that kill as the destroying serpents.” These were raised up by the Lord, and sent by him, just as he sent fiery serpents among the Israelites in the wilderness, when they sinned against him; there literally, here metaphorically. Which will not be charmed: Jarchi says, at the end of seventy years a serpent becomes a cockatrice, and stops its ear, that it will not hearken to the voice of the charmer, according to (<195804>Psalm 58:4,5), the meaning is, that…”

“I--Jehovah. cockatrices--basilisks (Isa 11:8), that is, enemies whose destructive power no means, by persuasion or otherwise, can counteract. Serpent-charmers in the East entice serpents by music, and by a particular pressure on the neck render them incapable of darting (Psa 58:4-5).”

“I will send - Or, am sending. No prophet changes his metaphors so suddenly as Jeremiah. The invading army is now compared to snakes, whom no charming can soothe, and whose bite is fatal. Compare Numbers 21:5-6. Cockatrices - “Vipers.” See Isaiah 11:8 note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Shall bite - There will be no appeasing their fury by any method. Jeremiah 8:18”

“I will: Deu 32:24; Isa 14:29; Amo 5:19, Amo 9:3; Rev 9:19 which: Psa 58:4, Psa 58:5; Ecc 10:11 Jeremiah 8:18”