en_tn/tNotes/Jeremiah/Jeremiah_04.md

Jeremiah 4

Jeremiah 4:1

then it should be to me that you return

Possible meanings are that 1) this is a command that emphasizes who they should return to. Alternate translation: "then come back to me" or "then worship me" 1) this is a repetition of the first phrase, which expresses a condition. Alternate translation: "if you will come back to me" or "if you will start worshiping me again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

If you remove your detestable things from before me

Here "detestable things" refers to idols, which God hates. Alternate translation: "If you remove your disgusting idols from my presence" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

do not wander from me again

Here "wander" is a metaphor for being unfaithful. Alternate translation: "if you remain faithful to me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Jeremiah 4:2

As Yahweh lives

"As surely as Yahweh is alive." The people use this expression to show that what they say next is certainly true. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: "I solemnly swear" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

the nations will bless themselves in him

Here "the nations" is a metonym for people of other nations. The word "him" refers to Yahweh. Since Yahweh is speaking, it can also be translated as "me." Alternate translation: "people of other nations will bless themselves in me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)

the nations will bless themselves in him

Here "bless themselves in him" is a metonym for asking Yahweh to bless them. Alternate translation: "the people of the nations will ask Yahweh to bless them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

in him they will glory

The word "him" refers to Yahweh. Since Yahweh is speaking, "him" can also be translated as "me." Alternate translation: "they will boast in me" or "they will praise me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)

Jeremiah 4:3

Plow your own ground, and do not sow among thorns

Yahweh tells the people to prepare their lives like a farmer prepares the ground for planting. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Jeremiah 4:4

Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and remove the foreskins of your heart

Yahweh describes the people's devotion to him in terms of the physical sign of covenant. Alternate translation: "Dedicate yourselves completely to Yahweh" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Circumcise yourselves ... remove the foreskins of your heart

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize the command. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

my fury will break out like fire, and burn with no one to quench it

Yahweh speaks of becoming extremely angry as if his anger were fire. Alternate translation: "my anger will burn like a fire and no one will be able to stop it" or "I will be extremely angry, and no one will be able to stop me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)

fury

"great anger"

Jeremiah 4:5

Report in Judah and let it be heard in Jerusalem

These phrases mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize the command. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

let it be heard in Jerusalem

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "cause the people in Jerusalem to hear it" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Blow the trumpet in the land

The trumpet would warn the people that their enemies were coming to attack them.

Let us go to the fortified cities

They would go to the fortified cities for protection from their enemies.

Jeremiah 4:6

disaster ... a great collapse

These words mean basically the same thing. The phrase "a great collapse" defines what the "disaster" will be. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)

for I am bringing disaster from the north and a great collapse

This represents God sending an army from the north to cause disaster and destruction in Judah. Alternate translation: "for I will cause an army from the north to come and destroy you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

from the north

This represents an enemy army that would come from the north. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Jeremiah 4:7

A lion is coming

God speaks of a powerful army as if it were a fierce lion. Alternate translation: "A powerful and merciless army approaches" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

thicket

a set of bushes that grew closely together

someone who will destroy nations

Here "someone" represents a king and his army. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)

is setting out

This idiom refers to starting to move. Alternate translation: "is starting to march" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

to bring horror to your land

This represents destroying the land, which would cause people who see it to be horrified. Alternate translation: "to destroy your land" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Jeremiah 4:8

wrap yourself in sackcloth

People would wear sackcloth to show that they were very sad. In this context it would be to show that they were very sorry for the bad things they had done. Alternate translation: "put on the clothes that show you are mourning" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)

wail

cry loudly

For the force of Yahweh's anger has not turned away from us

Anger is spoken of as if it were a living thing that could turn away from people. Here "Yahweh's anger has not turned away from us" means that Yahweh is still very angry with the people. Alternate translation: "For Yahweh is still very angry with us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Jeremiah 4:9

the hearts of the king and his officials will die

Here "hearts" represent courage. Also "the hearts ... will die" represents losing courage and being afraid. Alternate translation: "the king and his officials will stop being courageous" or "the king and his officials will be terrified" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Jeremiah 4:10

the sword is striking against their life

Here enemies being ready to kill people is spoken of as if the sword was a person striking at people. Alternate translation: "our enemies are ready to slaughter us with their swords" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)

Jeremiah 4:11

it will be said

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will say" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

burning wind from the plains

Here a "burning wind" represents a fierce and merciless enemy. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

will make its way

"will travel" or "will rush"

the daughter of my people

Yahweh shows his love for his people by speaking of them as a daughter. Alternate translation: "my people, who are like a daughter to me" or "my dear people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

It will not winnow or cleanse them

The words "winnow" and "cleanse" refer to blowing away the useless skins from grain. Only a light wind was needed for that. Alternate translation: "It will not be a light wind for blowing the chaff away from the grain" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Jeremiah 4:12

A wind far stronger than that

far stronger than the "burning wind" of verse 11. The wind is a metaphor for a fierce and merciless enemy. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

will come at my command

"will come when I command it to come"

at my command

This expression in Hebrew is interpreted by some modern versions as "for me" or "from me."

pass sentence against them

"announce their punishment"

Jeremiah 4:13

See, he is attacking like clouds

The word "he" refers to the enemy king and his army. The great size of the army is spoken of as if they were giant storm clouds. Alternate translation: "See, great armies like giant clouds are gathering to attack" or "See, great armies are gathering to attack" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)

his chariots are like a storm

The enemies' chariots are spoken of as if they were like a storm. Storms can be noisy, destructive, and fast-moving. Alternate translation: "the roar of their chariots coming is like a fierce storm" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)

Woe to us

"This is terrible"

for we will be devastated

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for they will devastate us" or "for they will destroy us all" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Jeremiah 4:14

Cleanse your heart from wickedness, Jerusalem

This is a warning to the people living in Jerusalem to repent. "Cleanse your heart" is a metaphor for removing evil from their lives. Alternate translation: "People of Jerusalem, stop being evil" or "People of Jerusalem, stop living wickedly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

How long will your deepest thoughts be about how to sin?

This question is used to rebuke the people for always planning how to sin. Alternate translation: "Your deepest thoughts are about how to sin!" or "You are always thinking about how to sin!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)

Jeremiah 4:15

a voice is bringing news from Dan

Here "a voice" represents a messenger. Alternate translation: "a messenger comes and tells about what is happening in Dan" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)

Dan

This probably refers to the region of Dan, which was west of Jerusalem.

the coming disaster is heard from the mountains of Ephraim

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people hear about the disaster that is coming from Ephraim" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

from Dan ... mountains of Ephraim

By hearing that the enemies had gotten to Dan and Ephraim, people in Jerusalem would understand that the enemies were getting closer to them.

Jeremiah 4:16

besiegers are coming

Besiegers are soldiers who surround a city in order to keep the people in the city from being able to get supplies of food and water.

Jeremiah 4:17

They will be like the watchmen of a cultivated field against her all around

Carefully guarding a city to keep people from going in and out is spoken of as if they are carefully watching a field to keep people from stealing from it. Alternate translation: "they will guard Jerusalem carefully like watchmen who carefully guard a cultivated field" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)

against her all around

The word "her" refers to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was often spoken of as if it were a woman. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)

Jeremiah 4:18

your conduct and your deeds have done these things to you

Here "conduct" and "deeds" are spoken of as if they are people that could do things. These abstract nouns can be expressed with the phrase "what you have done." Alternate translation: "These things are happening to you because of what you have done" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)

It will strike your very heart

Here "heart" probably refers to the emotions, and "strike your very heart" probably refers to causing them to suffer terribly. Alternate translation: "It will be as if it strikes your very heart" or "It will cause you to suffer terrible anguish" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Jeremiah 4:19

My heart! My heart!

Here "heart" represents painful emotions, such as grief and fear. The phrase is repeated to express the intensity of the pain. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

I am in anguish in my heart

The speaker feels severe emotional pain that causes severe physical pain.

My heart is turbulent within me

"My heart is beating wildly." Here "heart" refers to the body part. It is turbulent because it is beating much stronger and faster than normal.

turbulent

full of confusion, violence, or disorder; not stable or steady

Jeremiah 4:20

Suddenly my tents are destroyed

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Enemies have suddenly destroyed my tents" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

my curtains in a moment

The words "are destroyed" are understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "my curtains are destroyed in a moment" or "and enemies have destroyed my curtains in a moment" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)

my curtains

Curtains are cloths that are hung to separate the rooms in the tents.

Jeremiah 4:21

How long will I see the standard? Will I hear the sound of the horn?

Jeremiah uses these questions to show his distress about seeing the battle flag and hearing the sound of the horn for such a long time. He wishes that the battle would end soon. It can be stated as an exclamation. Alternate translation: "Oh, how I wish that the battle would end, and the flag would be lowered, and the sound of the army's horn would stop" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)

the standard

"the battle flag"

the sound of the horn

Someone would blow the horn as a signal for battle.

Jeremiah 4:22

For the foolishness of my people ... do not know how to do good.

It can be stated clearly that Yahweh says this. This is probably his reply to Jeremiah, telling why the battle is still happening. Alternate translation: "Yahweh replied, 'It is because of the foolishness of my people ... do not know how to do good.'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

idiotic people

"stupid people"

Jeremiah 4:23

General Information:

Jeremiah describes a vision that God gave him about things that would happen later.

Behold

The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

formless and empty

This vision is a prophecy of what the land of Israel would be like after the people were all taken into captivity.

there was no light for the heavens

"there were no lights in the sky"

Jeremiah 4:24

General Information:

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Jeremiah 4:25

General Information:

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Jeremiah 4:26

all the cities had been pulled down

"all the cities had been destroyed" or "all the cities were a heap of ruins"

before Yahweh, before the fury of his wrath

This indicates that all these things would happen because Yahweh was so angry with the people of Judah.

Jeremiah 4:27

All the land will become a devastation

"All the land of Judah will be devastated" or "all the land of Judah will be ruined"

Jeremiah 4:28

the land will mourn, and the heavens above will darken

Jeremiah emphasizes Yahweh's judgment by saying that the earth itself expresses great sorrow. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)

I will not hold back

"I will not change my mind"

I will not turn from carrying them out

Here "turn" represents deciding not to do what he said he would do. Alternate translation: "I will not change my mind about doing what I said I would do" or "I will not refuse to do what I planned to do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Jeremiah 4:29

Every city

Here "city" represents the people living in the city. Alternate translation: "The people of every city" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

cavalry

a group of soldiers riding horses

they will run into the forests

They will run away to the forests for safety.

The cities will be abandoned, for there will be no one to inhabit them

These two clauses have similar meanings. The second one strengthens the thought in the first. Alternate translation: "The cities will be empty. There will be no one left to live in them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)

Jeremiah 4:30

General Information:

Yahweh speaks of the people of Judah as if they were a prostitute because they were unfaithful to him by worshiping other gods.

Connecting Statement:

Yahweh continues speaking to Judah.

Now that you have been devastated, what will you do?

This question is used to tell the people of Judah that there is nothing they can do to help themselves. Alternate translation: "Now that your enemies have devastated you, there is nothing you can do to find help. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)

you dress in scarlet ... gold jewelry ... eyes ... with paint

God speaks of the people of Judah as if they were a prostitute making herself look beautiful in order to attract men to her. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Like a prostitute you dress in scarlet ... good jewelry ... eyes ... with paint" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

you dress in scarlet

Here "scarlet" represents expensive, red clothing. Alternate translation: "you wear expensive red clothing" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

adorn yourself with gold jewelry

"you put on gold jewelry"

men who lusted for you now reject you

God speaks of the nations that Judah had depended on for wealth and business as if they were men who lusted after Judah. Those nations would reject Judah when they see God's judgment. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

they are trying to take away your life

Here "trying to take your life away" represents trying to kill the people of Judah. Alternate translation: "They are trying to kill you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Jeremiah 4:31

distress as in the birth

This simile is used to show how greatly distressed Judah will be. Alternate translation: "severe distress as in the pain and suffering a woman has while giving birth" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)

the daughter of Zion

God shows his love for the people of Jerusalem by speaking of them as a daughter. Alternate translation: "my dear daughter, Zion" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Woe to me

"I am in great danger"

I am fainting

"I am becoming weak"