---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Jeremiah 4"
description: "CHAPTER 4   :-. CONTINUATION OF
ADDRESS TO THE TEN
TRIBES OF ISRAEL.
(Jeremiah 4:1; Jeremiah 4:2).
THE PROPHET
TURNS AGAIN
TO JUDAH, TO WHOM
HE HAD
ORIGIN"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4"
---

CHAPTER 4

. CONTINUATION OF
ADDRESS TO THE TEN
TRIBES OF ISRAEL.
([Jeremiah 4:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/1); [Jeremiah 4:2](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/2)).
THE PROPHET
TURNS AGAIN
TO JUDAH, TO WHOM
HE HAD
ORIGINALLY BEEN
SENT ([Jeremiah 4:2](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/2)).

**1. return . . . return**—play on
words. "If thou wouldest *return to thy land* (thou must
first), *return* (*by conversion* and repentance) *to
Me.*"
**not remove**—no longer be
an unsettled *wanderer* in a strange land. So Cain ([Genesis 4:12](../../../kjv/genesis/4/12);
[Genesis 4:14](../../../kjv/genesis/4/14)).

**2. And thou**—rather, "And
*if* (carried on from [Jeremiah 4:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/1))
thou shalt swear, 'Jehovah liveth,' in truth, c.", that is, if
thou shalt *worship* Him (for we *swear* by the God whom we
worship compare [Deuteronomy 6:13](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/6/13); [Deuteronomy 10:20](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/10/20);
[Isaiah 19:18](../../../kjv/isaiah/19/18); [Amos 8:14](../../../kjv/amos/8/14))
in sincerity, c.
**and the nations**—Rather,
this is apodosis to the "if" *then* shall the nations
bless themselves in (by) Him" ([Amos 8:14](../../../kjv/amos/8/14)). The conversion of the nations will be the consequence of
Israel's conversion ([Psalms 102:13](../../../kjv/psalms/102/13);
[Psalms 102:15](../../../kjv/psalms/102/15); [Romans 11:12](../../../kjv/romans/11/12);
[Romans 11:15](../../../kjv/romans/11/15)).

**3.** Transition to Judah. Supply
mentally. All which (the foregoing declaration as to Israel) applies
to Judah.
**and Jerusalem**—that is,
and *especially* the men of Jerusalem, as being the most
prominent in Judea.
**Break . . . fallow
ground**—that is, Repent of your idolatry, and so be prepared to
serve the Lord in truth ([Hosea 10:12](../../../kjv/hosea/10/12);
[Matthew 13:7](../../../kjv/matthew/13/7)). The unhumbled heart is
like ground which may be improved, being let out to us for that
purpose, but which is as yet fallow, overgrown with weeds, its
natural product.

**4.** Remove your natural
corruption of heart ([Deuteronomy 10:16](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/10/16);
[Deuteronomy 30:6](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/30/6); [Romans 2:29](../../../kjv/romans/2/29);
[Colossians 2:11](../../../kjv/colossians/2/11)).

**5. cry, gather together**—rather,
"cry fully" that is, loudly. The Jews are warned to take
measures against the impending Chaldean invasion (compare ).

**6. Zion**—The standard *toward*
Zion intimated that the people of the surrounding country were to fly
*to* it, as being the strongest of their fortresses.

**7. lion**—Nebuchadnezzar and the
Chaldeans ([Jeremiah 2:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/15); [Jeremiah 5:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/5/6);
[Daniel 7:14](../../../kjv/daniel/7/14)).
**his thicket**—lair;
Babylon.
**destroyer of the
Gentiles**—rather, "the nations" ([Daniel 7:14](../../../kjv/daniel/7/14)).

**8.** Nothing is left to the Jews
but to bewail their desperate condition.
**anger . . . not turned back**—
([Isaiah 9:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/12); [Isaiah 9:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/17);
[Isaiah 9:21](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/21)).

**9. heart**—The *wisdom* of
the most leading men will be utterly at a loss to devise means of
relief.

**10. thou hast . . . deceived**—God,
having even the false prophets in His hands, is here said to do that
which for inscrutable purposes He *permits* them to do ([Exodus 9:12](../../../kjv/exodus/9/12);
[2 Thessalonians 2:11](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/2/11); compare [2 Thessalonians 2:11](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/2/11); which passage shows that the dupes of error were
*self-prepared* for it, and that God's predestination did not
destroy their moral freedom as voluntary agents). The false prophets
foretold "peace," and the Jews believed them; God overruled
this to His purposes ([Jeremiah 5:12](../../../kjv/jeremiah/5/12);
[Jeremiah 14:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/14/13); [Ezekiel 14:9](../../../kjv/ezekiel/14/9)).
**soul**—rather, "reacheth
to the *life.*"

**11. dry wind**—the *simoom,*
terrific and destructive, blowing from the southeast across the sandy
deserts east of Palestine. Image of the invading Babylonian army (). Babylon in its turn shall be visited by a similar
"destroying wind" ().
**of . . . high places**—that
is, that sweeps over the high places.
**daughter**—that is, the
*children* of my people.
**not to fan**—a very
different wind from those ordinary winds employed for fanning the
grain in the open air.

**12. full . . . from those
places**—rather, "a wind *fuller* (that is, more
impetuous) *than* those *winds*" (which fan the corn)
([Jeremiah 4:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/11)) [ROSENMULLER].
**unto me**—"for Me,"
as My instrument for executing My purpose.
**sentence**—*judgments*
against them ([Jeremiah 1:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/16)).

**13. clouds**—continuing the
metaphor in [Jeremiah 4:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/11). Clouds
of sand and dust accompany the simoom, and after rapid gyrations
ascend like a pillar.
**eagles**— ([Deuteronomy 28:49](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/49);
[Habakkuk 1:8](../../../kjv/habakkuk/1/8)).
**Woe unto us**—The people
are graphically presented before us, without it being formally so
stated, bursting out in these exclamations.

**14.** Only one means of
deliverance is left to the Jews—a thorough repentance.
**vain thoughts**—namely,
projects for deliverance, such as enlisting the Egyptians on their
side. GESENIUS translates,
"How long *wilt thou harbor* vain thoughts?"

**15. For . . . from Dan**—The
connection is: There is danger in delay; *for* the voice of a
messenger announces the approach of the Chaldean enemy from Dan, the
northern frontier of Palestine (; compare [Jeremiah 4:6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/6);
[Jeremiah 1:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/14)).
**Mount Ephraim**—which
borders closely on Judah; so that the foe is coming nearer and
nearer. Dan and Beth-el in *Ephraim* were the two places where
Jeroboam set up the idolatrous calves ([Jeremiah 1:14](../../../kjv/jeremiah/1/14)); just retribution.

**16.** The neighboring foreign
"nations" are summoned to witness Jehovah's judgments on
His rebel people ([Jeremiah 6:18](../../../kjv/jeremiah/6/18);
[Jeremiah 6:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/6/19)).
**watchers**—that is,
besiegers (compare [2 Samuel 11:16](../../../kjv/2-samuel/11/16));
observed or watched, that is, besieged.
**their voice**—the war
shout.

**17. keepers of a field**—metaphor
from those who watch a field, to frighten away the wild beasts.

**18.** ([Jeremiah 2:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/17);
[Jeremiah 2:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/19); [Psalms 107:17](../../../kjv/psalms/107/17)).
**this is thy wickedness**—that
is, the fruit of thy wickedness.

**19.** The prophet suddenly assumes
the language of the Jewish state personified, lamenting its
affliction ([Jeremiah 10:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/10/19); [Jeremiah 10:20](../../../kjv/jeremiah/10/20);
[Jeremiah 9:1](../../../kjv/jeremiah/9/1); [Jeremiah 9:10](../../../kjv/jeremiah/9/10);
[Isaiah 15:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/15/5); compare [Isaiah 15:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/15/5)).
**at my very heart**—*Hebrew,*
"at the walls of my heart"; the muscles round the heart.
There is a climax, the "bowels," the *pericardium,*
the "heart" itself.
**maketh . . . noise**—moaneth
[HENDERSON].
**alarm**—the battle shout.

**20. Destruction . . . cried**—Breach
upon breach is announced ([Psalms 42:7](../../../kjv/psalms/42/7);
[Ezekiel 7:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/7/26)). The war "trumpet"
. . . the battle shout . . . the "destructions" . . . the
havoc throughout "the whole land" . . . the spoiling of the
shepherds' "tents" ([Ezekiel 7:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/7/26); or, "tents" means *cities,* which should be
overthrown as easily as *tents* [CALVIN]),
form a gradation.

**21.** Judah in perplexity asks,
How long is this state of things to continue?

**22.** Jehovah's reply; they cannot
be otherwise than miserable, since they persevere in sin. The
repetition of clauses gives greater force to the sentiment.
**wise . . . evil . . . to do
good . . . no knowledge**—reversing the rule () "wise unto . . . good, simple concerning evil."

**23.** Graphic picture of the utter
desolation about to visit Palestine. "I beheld, and lo!"
four times solemnly repeated, heightens the awful effect of the scene
(compare [Isaiah 24:19](../../../kjv/isaiah/24/19); [Isaiah 34:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/34/11)).
**without form and void**—reduced
to the primeval chaos ([Genesis 1:2](../../../kjv/genesis/1/2)).

**24. mountains**— ().
**moved lightly**—shook
vehemently.

**25. no man . . . birds**—No
vestige of the human, or of the feathered creation, is to be seen
([Ezekiel 38:20](../../../kjv/ezekiel/38/20); [Zephaniah 1:3](../../../kjv/zephaniah/1/3)).

**26. fruitful place**—*Hebrew,
Carmel.*
**a wilderness**—*Hebrew,*
"*the* wilderness," in contrast to "*the*
fruitful place"; the great desert, where *Carmel* was,
there is now *the desert* of Arabia [MAURER].
**cities**—in contrast to
*the fruitful place* or field.

**27. full end**—utter
destruction: I will leave some hope of restoration ([Jeremiah 5:10](../../../kjv/jeremiah/5/10);
[Jeremiah 5:18](../../../kjv/jeremiah/5/18); [Jeremiah 30:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/30/11);
[Jeremiah 46:28](../../../kjv/jeremiah/46/28); compare [Jeremiah 46:28](../../../kjv/jeremiah/46/28)).

**28. For this**—on account of the
desolations just described ([Isaiah 5:30](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/30);
[Hosea 4:3](../../../kjv/hosea/4/3)).
**not repent**— ([Hosea 4:3](../../../kjv/hosea/4/3)).

**29. whole city**—Jerusalem: to
it the inhabitants of the country had fled for refuge; but when it,
too, is likely to fall, they flee out of it to hide in the
"thickets." HENDERSON
translates, "*every* city."
**noise**—The mere noise of
the hostile horsemen shall put you to flight.

**30. when thou art spoiled**—rather,
"thou, O *destroyed* one" [MAURER].
**rentest . . . face with
painting**—Oriental women paint their eyes with stibium, or
antimony, to make them look full and sparkling, the black margin
causing the white of the eyes to appear the brighter by contrast (). He uses the term "distendest" in derision of
their effort to make their eyes look large [MAURER];
or else, "rentest," that is, dost lacerate by puncturing
the eyelid in order to make the antimony adhere [ROSENMULLER].
So the Jews use every artifice to secure the aid of Egypt against
Babylon.
**face**—rather, thy *eyes*
([Ezekiel 23:40](../../../kjv/ezekiel/23/40)).

**31. anguish**—namely, occasioned
by the attack of the enemy.
**daughter of Zion**—There
is peculiar beauty in suppressing the name of the person in trouble,
until that trouble had been fully described [HENDERSON].
**bewaileth herself**—rather,
"draweth her breath short" [HORSLEY];
"panteth."
**spreadeth . . . hands**—
([Lamentations 1:17](../../../kjv/lamentations/1/17)).

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Jeremiah 4"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Jeremiah 4","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"CHAPTER 4   :-. CONTINUATION OF\nADDRESS TO THE TEN\nTRIBES OF ISRAEL.\n(Jeremiah 4:1; Jeremiah 4:2).\nTHE PROPHET\nTURNS AGAIN\nTO JUDAH, TO WHOM\nHE HAD\nORIGIN","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah","name":"Jeremiah"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/4","name":"4"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```