Jer 1:15, 4:17, 49:20, 50:45 | JFB | STEP | 15. families —the tribes or clans composing the various kingdoms of Babylon; the specification of these aggravates the picture of calamity ( ). throne at . . . gates —the usual place of administering justice. The conquering princes will set up their tribunal there ( ). Or the reference is to the military pavilion ( ) [MAURER ].

Jeremiah 1:15

15. families—the tribes or clans composing the various kingdoms of Babylon; the specification of these aggravates the picture of calamity (Jer 25:9).

throne at . . . gates—the usual place of administering justice. The conquering princes will set up their tribunal there (Jer 39:3, 5; 52:9). Or the reference is to the military pavilion (Jer 43:10) [MAURER].

Jeremiah 4:17

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

Jeremiah 49:20

20. least of the flock—the weakest and humblest of the Chaldean host. Compare Jer 6:3, where the hostile leaders and their hosts are called "shepherds and their flocks."

draw . . . out—"shall drag them away captive" [GROTIUS]; shall drag them to and fro, as a lion (Jer 49:19) does feeble sheep [MAURER].

with them —that is, the habitation which they possess.

Jeremiah 50:45

44-46. Repeated mainly from Jer 49:19-21. The identity of God's principle in His dealing with Edom, and in that with Babylon, is implied by the similarity of language as to both.