Jeremiah 6:1

Children of Benjamin. The inhabitants of Jerusalem are so designated probably by a figure of synecdoche, a figure of speech in which a part is put for the whole. In the original disposition of the tribal boundaries Jerusalem fell within the territory of Benjamin (see on Joshua 15:8). Before the time of David the city numbered its citizens from both Judah (see on Joshua 15:63) and Benjamin (see on Judges 1:21). The boundary between Benjamin and Judah ran through the Valley of Hinnom (Joshua 15:8), which was south of the city. Jeremiah’s home town of Anathoth was in the territory of Benjamin (see on Jer. 1:1), and some have suggested that this message may have been delivered there, near the beginning of Jeremiah’s ministry (see PK 409). This may explain why the call was addressed particularly to Benjamin, although it applied to the entire population.

Out of the midst. Earlier (ch. 4:6) the inhabitants of the country districts had been urged to seek safety by flight to the city. The present is a warning to flee from Jerusalem to the wild pasturelands on the south. Chapter 6 vividly describes the arrival of the hostile army from the north. The new appeal may have been issued to point out that the destruction would be so complete that even the greatest city fortifications would provide less safety than would the isolation of the countryside. On the other hand, ch. 4:6 may refer to the time of the earlier invasions, when the fortified cities provided comparative safety.

Tekoa. A town about 10 mi. (16 km.) south by west from Jerusalem, situated on a hill nearly 2,700 ft. (c. 820 m.) above sea level, overlooking the Wilderness of Judea. It had been the home of the wise woman hired by Joab in David’s day (2 Sam. 14:2); later a defense city of Rehoboam (2 Chron. 11:5, 6; still later the home of Amos (Amos 1:1); now called Tequ‘. There is a play on words in this verse. The words for “blow” and “Tekoa” both come from the Heb. taqa‘, “to drive,” “to clap,” or “to blow.”

A sign of fire. Here, doubtless, “a fire signal” (see Judges 20:38, 40).

Beth-haccerem. Literally, “the house of the vineyard.” Formerly identified with ‘Ain Karim, 4 1/3 mi. (7 km.) west of Jerusalem, it is now preferably identified with Ramath Rahel, 2 3/4 mi. (4.5 km.) south by west from Jerusalem.

Appeareth. Literally, “looketh down upon [from above].” Evil is figuratively represented as bending over the people and looking down on its prey.

The north. See on chs. 1:14; 4:6.