Text -- Jeremiah 4:17 (NET)

4:17 They will surround Jerusalem like men guarding a field because they have rebelled against me,” says the Lord.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jer 4:17

¹ tn Heb “will surround her.” The antecedent is Jerusalem in the preceding verse. The referent is again made explicit in the translation to avoid any possible lack of clarity. The verb form here is a form of the verb that emphasizes the fact as being as good as done (i.e., it is a prophetic perfect).

² sn There is some irony involved in the choice of the simile since the men guarding a field were there to keep thieves from getting in and stealing the crops. Here the besiegers are guarding the city to keep people from getting out.