Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 6:17
Also I set watchmen over you, [saying], Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
17. I set ] “ I ever raised up,” Dr. See on Jer 6:16.
watchmen ] the prophets; so Eze 3:17; Eze 33:7.
the sound of the trumpet ] Cp. Jer 6:1; Amo 3:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Watchmen – The prophets Isa 52:8.
The second of the trumpet – This was the signal for flight Jer 6:1; Amo 3:6. Similarly the prophets warning was to move men to escape from Gods judgments.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. I set watchmen] I have sent prophets to warn you.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Watchmen, viz. prophets and messengers, that sought their good, and endeavoured to prevent their miseries by foretelling what was coming upon them, Eze 3:17; 33:7 A metaphor from watchmen, that are usually set upon high places to espy out dangers afar off.
The sound of the trumpet; either the voice of his prophets, which is compared to a trumpet, Isa 58:1, intimating his loud crying upon the account of imminent danger; for men do not use to sound the trumpet till danger be approaching; or the trumpet of that enemy, Jer 4:19,21.
We will not hearken; more of their obstinacy suitable to their carriage, Jer 6:16.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. watchmenprophets, whoseduty it was to announce impending calamities, so as to lead thepeople to repentance (Isa 21:11;Isa 58:1; Eze 3:17;Hab 2:1).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Also I set watchmen over you,…. That is, prophets, as Jarchi; true prophets, as Kimchi; such an one was Ezekiel, Jer 3:17. The Targum interprets it teachers; such were the apostles and first ministers of the Gospel; and all faithful preachers of it, who teach men good doctrine and watch for their souls, give them warning of their danger, and exhort them to flee to Christ for rest and safety; and these are of the Lord’s appointing, constituting, and setting in his churches; see 1Co 12:28.
Saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet; to their voice, lifted up like a trumpet, Isa 58:1, to the word preached by them; to the law, which lays before them their sin and danger; and to the Gospel, which is a joyful sound, and gives a certain one, and proclaims peace, pardon, and salvation, by Christ:
but they said, we will not hearken; so the Jews, in the times of Christ and his apostles, turned a deaf ear to their ministry, contradicted and blasphemed the Gospel, and judged themselves unworthy of it, and of eternal life, brought to light by it. Perhaps here it may regard the punishments threatened the Jews by the prophets, which they would not believe were coming upon them, but put away the evil day far from them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This is an explanation of the last verse, yet not simply so; for the Prophet by a similitude aggravates the obstinacy of the people, who were not only deaf to the Prophet’s admonitions, but would not be roused by the sound of the trumpet, nor even attend to it. The sound of the trumpet ought to have penetrated into their minds more than anything else for two reasons, — because it was louder than any voice of man, — and also, because we do not usually hear the trumpet sounding, except when war is at hand, or when there is the fear of war.
We hence see why the Prophet, after having announced his message, mentions the sound of the trumpet; as though he had said, that not only the prophets were despised, while teaching the people, but that the sound of the trumpet, announcing the approach of war, was not attended to by them. The stupidity of the people, and not only their stupidity, but as I have said, their perverseness also, was more fully proved, than if the Prophet had simply said, that they had resolved not to hear. It now follows —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(17) Watchmen.i.e., the sentinels of the army, as in 1Sa. 14:16, giving the signal in this case, not for advance but for retreat (comp. Jer. 6:1, and Amo. 3:6). The watchmen are, of course (as in Isa. 52:8; Isa. 56:10; Eze. 3:17; Hab. 2:1), the prophets blowing the trumpet of alarm, proclaiming, as in Jer. 6:1, the nearness of the invader, and calling on them to flee from the wrath of Jehovah. They call, however, in vain. The people refuse to hearken.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 6:17. Also I set watchmen over you “I have given you prophets, as watchmen or centinels, to advertise you of the approach of the enemy, that you may obey their voice, and prevent the evils which they threaten. But all this has answered no end with you.” See Isa 56:10.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
In what strong terms doth the Lord set forth the folly of outward things, as the incense and the cane, when there was no inward offering of the heart. What are all acts of religion, when there is no regeneration? Isa 1:11-17 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, [saying], Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Ver. 17. Also I set watchmen over you, ] i.e., Priests and prophets to watch for your welfare.
Hearken to the sound of the trumpet.
We will not hearken.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Hearken = Give ye heed. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read “And (therefore) give ye heed”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
I: Jer 25:4, Isa 21:11, Isa 56:10, Eze 3:17-21, Eze 33:2-9, Hab 2:1, Act 20:27-31, Heb 13:17
Hearken: Isa 58:1, Hos 8:1, Amo 3:6-8
We: Zec 7:11
Reciprocal: Num 10:9 – then ye shall Isa 52:8 – Thy Isa 62:6 – set watchmen Jer 7:26 – they hearkened Jer 11:8 – obeyed Jer 13:11 – but Jer 17:27 – ye will Jer 31:6 – a day Eze 33:4 – whosoever heareth Eze 33:31 – and they Dan 9:6 – have we Hos 8:12 – but Hos 9:8 – watchman Hag 2:17 – yet Zec 1:4 – unto Zec 7:13 – as Mat 22:3 – and they would not Mat 23:37 – how Luk 14:18 – all 2Ti 4:3 – they will 2Ti 4:5 – watch
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 6:17. Many ancient cities were walled for protection and on the walls were towers. These were called watchtowers in which were stationed men whose duty was to be on the lookout for any enemy that might be approaching. Being in that position they would be able to see farther from the city than the citizens on the streets and they were to sound an alarm when any danger appeared. The watchmen referred to In this verse were the faithful and inspired prophets who were able to see into the future and behold an enemy when the people were not able to see him. But they not only refused to heed the warning given by these teatehmen but boldly declared they would not.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
6:17 Also I set {p} watchmen over you, [saying], Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
(p) Prophets who would warn you of the dangers that were at hand.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The Lord had set prophets over the people to warn them of their wicked ways, but the people refused to listen to them.