heard in the Red sea.
JEREMIAH AND LAMENTATIONS etc.; the verb properly means to draw, and to draw in reproach and contempt, as when a carcase is drawn through the mire. Then the Prophet means here a throwing down, accompanied with reproach. And he says, If not, draw them forth shall the least of the flock He speaks here otherwise than before; for he called the Chaldeans chosen, and extolled their strength, that he might strip the Idumeans of their vain confidence; but he now proceeds further and says, that there was no need of great valor to put that nation to flight, because even the least could lay them prostrate on the ground, and also draw them in disgrace through the land. Now, though the manner of speaking is different, yet the meaning remains the same, even that God would arm the Chaldeans with courage, so that they would easily destroy the land of
Edom; and then, that though the Chaldeans should not, according to the estimation of men, excel in valor, they would yet be superior to the Idumeans, because victory was in God's hand, and he could work by means of flies as well as by men, and by children as well as by giants.
The formula of swearing is adopted, when he says, If not, draw them, etc. It is an elliptical phrase, as it has often been observed; such an obtestation as this is understood, ``Believe me not hereafter,'' or, ``Regard me not as God.'' In short, it is a form of an oath, which is a stronger affirmation than if he had simply said, ``Draw them forth shall the least of the flock.''
Some render the last clause, ``If not, set shall they,'' etc.; as though the verb came from {,}שוםshum, to put, to set; but it is from {,}שמםshemem, or {,}ימם imem, as some think, though rather {,}שמםshemem The Prophet, I have no doubt, means, that they would destroy, or lay waste over them their dwellings. It follows ---
Jeremiah 49:21
21. The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
21. A voce ruinae ipsorum contremuit terra; clamor vocis eorum in mari rubro auditus est.
The Prophet in many words dwells on the same thing, in itself sufficiently clear; but as it was not easy to convince the Jews of what had been already said of the destruction of the Idumeans, the Prophet continues the same subject. He then says that the earth trembled at the sound of their fall By these words he means that such would be the calamity, that it would terrify all neighboring countries: as when a great mass falls, the earth shakes, so the fall of the Idumeans, who had long gloried in their wealth, could not but strike all their neighbors with terror. Lest the Jews should think that incredible which had been said, the Prophet says, that though the earth should tremble, yet God would overthrow that nation.
He then adds, the cry of their voice was heard at the Red Sea 401 This sea, called now Red, was at some distance. The word {,}סוףsuph, properly signifies weedy, a name given to it on account of the bulrushes it produced; but the sea that is meant, is what is now called the Red Sea. I have said that the distance between these places was considerable, and what the Prophet means is, that so great and so dreadful
401The literal rendering is, — The cry — at the Red Sea was heard its sound. It is an instance of the nominative case absolute. — Ed.