ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Jeremiah 6

Jer. 6:1 The tribe Jeremiah serves most directly (Benjamin; 1:1) should flee for safety out of Jerusalem.

Jer. 6:4–5 Armies are ready to attack at noon or even by night. A night attack was rare and done only when victory was certain or when surprise was necessary (see Judg. 7:19–23).

Jer. 6:7 Jerusalem should repent of evil (harmful acts; see 4:14), but instead she keeps her evil as fresh as well water. violence and destruction. Constant brutality against others. sickness and wounds. This occurs because of discipline from God (Lev. 26:23; Jer. 31:18) and violence in the land.

Jer. 6:9 the remnant. Those who survive, not those who believe.

Jer. 6:10 To whom shall I speak? Every segment of society (1:15–19; 5:3–5) has rejected God’s warning. Their hearts (4:4) and ears are uncircumcised, rendering them unwilling and unable to obey the word of the Lord.

Jer. 6:11 God orders (vv. 6, 9) Jeremiah to pour out words of wrath, not warning, as before, so that all ages experience judgment.

Jer. 6:13–15 Greed always leads to seeking unjust gain. prophet . . . priest. These religious leaders are as greedy as the people. Thus, they promise peace rather than the punishment of war, because that’s what the people want to hear (see 5:30–31). They feel no shame over their abomination (that is, spiritual perversion; Lev. 18:27). They must fall when the city falls.

Jer. 6:16 the ancient paths. The way of faithfulness revealed to Moses and the earlier prophets.

Jer. 6:17 watchmen. Moses and the prophets (2 Kings 17:7–18). trumpet. Blown to warn cities of danger (Jer. 4:5; 19; 21; 6:1). Here it refers to God’s word of warning.

Jer. 6:18–19 The nations, congregation, and earth are all called to hear God’s testimony against this people (Judah and Israel).

Jer. 6:20 Performing religious rituals, without faith and obedience, is unacceptable to God (Isa. 1:10–19; Amos 5:21–24; Mic. 6:6–8).

Jer. 6:22–23 great nation. Babylon. the farthest parts of the earth. Babylon’s army had outposts all over the ancient world. This army has no mercy. Its horses are so numerous that their thundering hoofs sound like the roaring sea (4:13, 29).

Jer. 6:25 Jerusalemites dare not leave the city for fear of capture (Lam. 4:18–19). terror is on every side. A common phrase in Jeremiah describing the experience of invasion (Jer. 20:10; 46:5; 49:29; Lam. 2:22).

Jer. 6:26 daughter. Jerusalem represents the whole nation (see 4:31). As for an only son describes mourning for a unique and irreplaceable person (see Amos 8:10).

Jer. 6:27–29 tester of metals. Jeremiah’s task is to assess how much impurity remains in a people called to be pure. The ancient refining process used heated lead to draw out ore from silver. Despite Jeremiah’s words being like a bellows and like lead used to purify silver, all is in vain, for the impurity (the wicked) remains in the metal (the land).