Discovery BoxJeremiah 6:10-12
Context“Who would listen
if I spoke to them and warned them? 2
Their ears are so closed 3
that they cannot hear!
Indeed, 4 what the Lord says is offensive to them.
They do not like it at all. 5
6:11 I am as full of anger as you are, Lord, 6
I am tired of trying to hold it in.”
The Lord answered, 7
“Vent it, then, 8 on the children who play in the street
and on the young men who are gathered together.
Husbands and wives are to be included, 9
as well as the old and those who are advanced in years.
6:12 Their houses will be turned over to others
as will their fields and their wives.
For I will unleash my power 10
against those who live in this land,”
says the Lord.
[6:10] 1 tn These words are not in the text but are supplied in the translation for clarity.
[6:10] 2 tn Or “To whom shall I speak? To whom shall I give warning? Who will listen?” Heb “Unto whom shall I speak and give warning that they may listen?”
[6:10] 3 tn Heb “are uncircumcised.”
[6:10] 5 tn Heb “They do not take pleasure in it.”
[6:11] 6 tn Heb “I am full of the wrath of the
[6:11] 7 tn These words are not in the text but are implicit from the words that follow. They are supplied in the translation for clarity.
[6:11] 8 tn Heb “Pour it out.”
[6:11] 9 tn Heb “are to be captured.”
[6:12] 11 tn Heb “I will reach out my hand.” This figure involves both comparing God to a person (anthropomorphism) and substitution (metonymy) where hand is put for the actions or exertions of the hand. A common use of “hand” is for the exertion of power or strength (cf. BDB 290 s.v. יָד 2 and 289-90 s.v. יָד 1.e(2); cf. Deut 34:12; Ps 78:42; Jer 16:21).
