Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 6:11
Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with [him that is] full of days.
11. Therefore ] But.
the fury of the Lord ] The wrath which He feels has been infused into me His prophet, that I may make it known to men.
pour it out ] LXX (so A.V.) have I will pour, etc. The imperative of MT. is best taken not as a prayer by Jeremiah but as God’s command to the prophet. It is, however, harsh. The declaration is made without distinction of age, because the approaching punishment includes all alike. Five periods of life are mentioned.
in the street ] at play. Cp. Zec 8:5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Or, But I am filled with the fury of Yahweh: I am weary with holding it in. Pour it out upon the children in the street, and upon the company of youths together; for both man and wife shall be taken; the older and he whose days are full. With emphatic abruptness Jeremiah bids himself give full utterance to Gods message. And the message is to reach all. Five stages of human life are successively marked out.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. I am full of the fury of the Lord] God has given me a dreadful revelation of the judgments he intends to inflict: my soul is burdened with this prophecy. I have endeavoured to suppress it; but I must pour it forth upon the children, on the young people, on husbands and wives, on the old and the super-annuated. All must partake in these judgments.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Therefore. Heb. And; which seems to be a better connexion; for that which putteth him upon this work seems rather to be that Spirit of prophecy that is in him than any consideration drawn from them.
I am full of the fury of the Lord; I am, as it were, filled with the fire of Gods wrath and curses against this people, which I am forced to discharge myself of; a metonymy of the subject. See Eze 3:3; Jer 4:19. He doth not only complain of their stupidity, as in the former verse, but stirs up his indignation against them.
I am weary with holding in; but he can contain himself no longer, which implies his great unwillingness to denounce these curses: q.d. The wrath of God, by the impulse of his Spirit, acting so violently with mine, that it will break out: see the like Job 32:18,19. Whereby it appears the prophet is not carried on by his own private spirit, but by the Spirit of God; he hath no delight in it, but is forced to be the messenger himself of his wrath; therefore if he be sharp against them, they must not impute; it to him, but to the Spirit of God, that constrains him thus to speak.
I will pour it out, viz. in prophesying, noting the great plenty of it; a metaphor from violent rains, that we say do pour down upon the earth, Jer 7:20; Rev 16:1.
Upon the children abroad; the streets being the places where usually little children are wont to sport themselves, Zec 8:5. The same word used Psa 8:2.
Upon the assembly of young men together; their secret meetings, whether in harlots houses, Jer 5:7, or for mirth and jollity, or to join either their strength or counsel together, which children are not capable of; for the Hebrews do not only call them youths that are past their childhood, possibly at fifteen or sixteen years of age, but men of twenty or thirty, grown to their full strength and maturity, in the flower of their years; yet it shall advantage them nothing.
The husband with the wife, Heb. man with woman; the wife shall be taken as well as the husband, one sex as well as the other shall be a prey to the enemy.
The aged with him that is full of days; not only men that may be termed old, as they may be from fifty to eighty, which are then said to be waxing old; but such as had upon the point filled up the number of their days, at the edge of the grave, Isa 65:20, called very aged, as Barzillai, 2Sa 19:32,34,35. The sense is, that all sorts, from the children to the decrepit old man, had so corrupted their ways, see Jer 6:13, that their condition was desperate, and God would bring an enemy upon them should spare or pity none, of what sex or age soever.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. fury of . . . LordHisdenunciations against Judah communicated to the prophet.
weary with holding in(Jer 20:9).
I will pouror elseimperative: the command of God (see Jer6:12), “Pour it out” [MAURER].
aged . . . full of daysTheformer means one becoming old; the latter a decrepit oldman [MAURER] (Job 5:26;Isa 65:20).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord,…. Either of zeal for the Lord, for the glory of his name, and the honour of his word; or rather of the prophecy of the Lord, as the Targum interprets it, concerning the wrath of God, that should come upon this people for their sins:
I am weary with holding it; the prophecy, the message he was sent with to them, to pronounce the judgments of God upon them; which being a disagreeable task to him, he refrained from doing it as long as he could; but being highly provoked with the sins of the people, and particularly with their contempt of the word of God, and especially he being obedient to the divine will, he could forbear no longer making a full declaration of it; see Jer 20:9.
I will pour it upon the children abroad; or, “in the street” u; that are playing there:
and upon the assembly of young men together; that are met together for their pleasure and diversion; and the sense is, that the prophet would declare in a prophetic manner, and denounce, according to his office and commission, the wrath of God, which should come upon persons of every age, and of every relation in life, as follows: though the words may be rendered, “pour it upon the children”, c. w and so it is a prayer of the prophet’s to the Lord, that he would execute the vengeance on them which he had threatened them with by him:
for even the husband with the wife shall be taken; and carried captive:
the aged with him that is full of days; the old and the decrepit, such as are advanced in years, and also those that are just upon the brink of the grave, ready to die: the meaning is, that children should not be spared for their tender age, nor young men for their strength, nor husbands and wives on account of their relation, nor any because of their hoary hairs; seeing the corruption was so general, and prevailed in persons of every age, and of every station.
u “in platea”, Montanus, Schmidt. w “effunde in puerum”, Cocceius; “super infantem”, Schmidt; so V. L. “effundere”, Montanus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The prophet here rises higher; for it was not enough simply to set forth the truth to refractory men, but it was necessary to stimulate them even sharply, and sometimes to wound them, for they could not otherwise be roused, so great was their hardness. Hence the Prophet proceeds in the same strain with what we observed yesterday; and he declares that he was full of the indignation of God. This may be taken passively and actively, — that the Prophet was indignant with holy zeal, because he undertook the cause of God, — or, that he dreaded the judgment, which the Jews nevertheless in no way heeded. But he speaks here no doubt according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as though he said, that he did not announce what his own mind suggested, but what was dictated by the Spirit of God. This indignation is, in short, to be applied to what was taught, as though he had said, “If I address you with great vehemence, think not that as a man I forget moderation, being influenced by wrath; but the Spirit of God leads and impels me. Whatever indignation then is found in my language, whatever vehemence and sharpness and menacing, all this is from God’s Spirit, and not from my own feelings as a man.” It was on this account that he says, that he was filled with the indignation of God.
What follows confirms this statement; for he says, that he was wearied with restraint; as though he said, that so great was the impulse of God’s wrath, that it could not be withheld from breaking out into vehemence. And hence we learn, as I have said, that the Prophet declares no other thing than that he was not moved by his own indignation, or by any feeling of his own nature, but that he of necessity followed where he was led by the hidden influence of God’s Spirit, lest what he taught might be despised; for the Jews had long accustomed themselves to use their taunts and to say, that they were not to be frightened like children. That the Jews then might not thus trifle, Jeremiah declares, that he was so filled with the indignation of God, that he could contain himself no longer, but must denounce on his own kindred what God had committed to his charge. As we shall elsewhere see the same mode of speaking, and in more express terms, I shall proceed without making any farther remarks.
He afterwards says, I shall pour it out, etc. He no doubt continues the same subject. He then says, that since he could no longer suppress the vengeance of God, whose herald he was, he would now pour it out, and that upon the children, he says, in the streets He doubtless means by these words that there was nothing pure among the people, for the very children were involved in the same guilt. Since, then, impiety so prevailed that even children in their tender age were not exempt from it, it was an evidence of a hopeless condition. This is what the Prophet means by saying, that he would pour wrath upon children. Then he adds, upon the assembly, etc. The word סוד , sud, means a congregation, or an assembly; and it means also counsel. But as the Prophet speaks of streets, there seems to be a contrast between streets and counsels, as though he said, that children playing in the streets were without any counsel or understanding: but still I include with them the old and the grown up men, for they are all exposed to God’s judgment. He then adds, the counsel of young men; for there is more discretion and prudence in young men grown up to maturity. The Hebrews do not call youths of fifteen בחורים , bachurim, but men of full and mature age; and the word is derived from a verb which means to choose. They then who are in the flower of their age are called בחורים, bachurim, because they are endued with discretion, and do not play in the streets like children. The Prophet then says, that God’s wrath would now be poured forth on children, and also on men grown up to the age of twenty or thirty.
For the husband, he says, with his wife shall be taken, the aged with the full of days Some think that the full of days was the decrepit: but by זקן, zaken, I understand the aged, and by the full of days, all those already grown into maturity, as those from fifty to eighty may be so called. He means, in short, that no one would be exempt from suffering God’s vengeance, as impiety had pervaded all stations, ranks, and ages. (172) It follows —
(172) There are two or three points in this verse differently explained. The fury or indignation of Jehovah has been viewed as the message which the Prophet had to deliver, which strongly expressed God’s displeasure. See Jer 1:9, and Jer 20:9. The verb for pouring forth is either in the imperative or in the infinitive mood. The Vulgate and the Syriac render it as an imperative; but the Septuagint, the Targum, and the Arabic give it, as in our version, in the future indicative, the first person. Venema follows the Vulgate: but Blayney takes it to be in the imperative mood; which seems most consistent with the whole of the passage. The view of most as to “the old” and “the full of years” is, that the first is mature old age, and that the second is the last stage of life, the age of decrepitude. The full of days is “one” as Blayney says, “who has arrived at the full period of human life;” and hence “Abraham, Isaac, David, and Job are said to have died full of years, or of days.” See Isa 65:20. Though the general meaning is given in our version, yet the more literal I conceive to be the following, —
But with the wrath of Jehovah have I been filled; I am weary of restraining to pour it forth On the child in the street, And on the assembly of young men also; Yea, both man and woman shall be taken, The aged and the full of days.
It is unusual to have two infinitives following one another: but the Welsh is capable of expressing the Hebrew literally, —
(lang. cy) Blinais ymattal dywallt.
Nothing can express the original more exactly. It is better to say “man and woman, “as Gataker proposes, than “husband and wife;” for the object is to shew, that all, including every age and both sexes, were to be visited with judgment. — Ed
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(11) I am full of the fury . . .The prophet feels himself filled, frail vessel as he is, with the righteous wrath of Jehovah. It will not be controlled.
I will pour it out.Better, as the command coming from the mouth of Jehovah, Pour it out. The words that follow describe the several stages of mans life, upon all of which that torrent of wrath is to flow forththe children abroad, i.e., playing in the streets (as in Zec. 8:5); the assembly, or gathering of young men, whether in their natural mirth (Jer. 15:17) or for secret plans (Pro. 15:22); the husband and wife in full maturity; the aged, i.e., the elder, still active as well as venerable; lastly, the man full of days, whose time is nearly over and his sand run out.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Full of the fury Note how this is visited on all classes: Children young men husband wife the aged with him that is full of days. This last expression describes one who has reached the utmost limit of age. In the two following verses these individualizing specifications are continued.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 6:11. Therefore, &c. Houbigant is of opinion, that these words cannot with any propriety be applied to the prophet; but that they are a continuation of the discourse from Jer 6:9. Accordingly he renders them, Therefore, I will fulfil my fury, I am weary with bearing these things, I will pour out my anger, &c.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jer 6:11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with [him that is] full of days.
Ver. 11. Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord, ] i.e., Of curses and menaces against this obstinate people. as Jer 4:19
I am weary with holding in.
I will pour it forth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
children = a young child. Hebrew. ‘ul.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Therefore: Jer 20:9, Job 32:18, Job 32:19, Eze 3:14, Mic 3:8, Act 4:20, Act 17:16, Act 18:5
I will: Jer 9:21, Jer 18:21, Rev 16:1
for even: Eze 9:6, Luk 17:34
Reciprocal: Gen 25:8 – good Job 4:2 – withhold himself from speaking Isa 7:13 – to weary Jer 15:6 – I am Jer 15:17 – for Jer 42:18 – As mine Jer 51:22 – General Lam 4:11 – Lord Eze 3:3 – and fill Eze 7:14 – for Eze 24:21 – that which your soul pitieth Amo 4:10 – your young Act 2:4 – as Act 17:17 – daily
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 6:11. Every word in the Bible is the word of the Lord and as such it may he in the form of the first person grammatically in some passages. In others the writer will assume the first person in his speech and that will place the Lord in the third person. In this verse the prophet expresses his personal interest in the situation. Weary with holding in indicates the intensity of feeling the writer has and serves as a warning against the corrupt people regarding the fate soon to come Upon them; when it does there will be no sparing of any classes of society.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 6:11-12. Therefore I am full of the fury , the anger, or wrath, as it should rather have been rendered; of the Lord An expression which is to be understood of that divine justice which is worthy of God, and which inflicts most heavy, and yet most just, punishment on the obstinately wicked, after having a long time waited for their repentance. I am weary with holding in Or, as the words may be rendered, I have laboured to hold it in. They are the words of the prophet, who was unwilling to declare to the people the avenging justice which was ready to fall upon them. I will pour it out The word in the Hebrew, , is imperative, Pour it out: God, as it seems, commanding his prophet not to delay to denounce his judgments, about to be inflicted on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, of all ages and orders. The prophets are said to do things, when they declare Gods purpose of doing them, as hath been observed on Jer 1:10; upon the children abroad Or, in the streets, where they are wont to play: the sword of the merciless Chaldeans shall not spare them, Jer 9:21. The children perish in the calamity, which the sins of their fathers have procured. And upon the assembly of young men Who meet together for diversion or conversation. The husband with the wife shall be taken One sex, as well as the other, shall be a prey to the enemy. The aged with him that is full of days From hence it appears, says Blaney, that the word, , here and elsewhere rendered aged, means only a man that has passed a certain time of life, which may be considered as his zenith, so as from thenceforth to be upon the decline. In contradistinction to whom is placed one who is arrived at what is esteemed the full period of human life; in respect to which the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, David, and Job, are said to have died full of years, or days. See the same distinction made Isa 65:20. No age or condition shall escape. And their houses shall be turned unto others, &c. According to the threatening denounced by Moses, Deu 28:30.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
6:11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: {l} I will pour it out upon the {m} children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with [him that is] full of days.
(l) As the Lord had given him his word to be as a fire of his indignation to burn the wicked, Jer 5:14 so he kindles it now when he sees that all remedies are past.
(m) No one will be spared.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Yet the prophet was full of messages announcing God’s coming wrath that he felt incapable of containing. The Lord instructed him to pour out his pent-up messages of wrath on everyone in Jerusalem-children, adolescents, husbands, wives, older people, and the very aged-because all of them would be taken captive.
"Ancient Near Eastern war was essentially total in nature, so that a city which resisted a siege unsuccessfully could only expect complete destruction, without respect to property, age or sex." [Note: Harrison, Jeremiah and . . ., p. 81.]