Jer 4:11-12 | NETfull | STEP | “At that time the people of Judah and Jerusalem will be told, ‘A scorching wind will sweep down from the hilltops in the desert on my dear people. It will not be a gentle breeze for winnowing the grain and blowing away the chaff.

Jeremiah 4:11-12

11 “At that time the people of Judah and Jerusalem ^{▼▼ Heb “this people and Jerusalem.”} will be told,
‘A scorching wind will sweep down
from the hilltops in the desert on ^{▼▼ Heb “A scorching wind from the hilltops in the desert toward…”} ^{▼▼ The allusion is, of course, to the destructive forces of the enemy armies of Babylon compared above in 4:7 to a destructive lion and here to the destructive desert winds of the Near Eastern sirocco.} my dear people. ^{▼▼ Heb “daughter of my people.” The term “daughter of” is appositional to “my people” and is supplied in the translation as a term of sympathy and endearment. Compare the common expression “daughter of Zion.”}
It will not be a gentle breeze
for winnowing the grain and blowing away the chaff. ^{▼▼ Heb “not for winnowing and not for cleansing.” The words “It will not be a gentle breeze” are not in the text but are implicit in the connection. They are supplied in the translation here for clarification.}
12 No, ^{▼▼ The word “No” is not in the text but is carried over from the connection with the preceding line “not for…”} a wind too strong for that will come at my bidding.
Yes, even now I, myself, am calling down judgment on them.’ ^{▼▼ Heb “will speak judgments against them.”}