John Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 4:16

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

Make ye mention to the nations, etc.] 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 <122402>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, (<233903>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 somef98 think there is some reference, showing that his army is meant. It should be rendered “besiegers”, as it is by somef99; 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.

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