Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 1:17

17 ¶ Thou therefore gird up thy loins , and arise , and speak unto them all that I command thee : be not dismayed at their faces , lest I confound thee before them .

By this expression God quickens, and hastens him upon his work, not to stand hesitating, but to be doing, prepare thy self; for it is a speech taken from the custom of their Countries, that wear long garments, and therefore they did gird them up about them, that they might not hinder them in any work, that required expedition, see the phrase and practise, Exod. 12.11. 2 King. 4, 29. and in many other Texts; it implies two things. 1. Speed and Dispatch. 2. Courage and Resolution: Iob 38.3.

Another expression to the same purpose to speed him about his work, the like chap. 13.4.

Heb. Shall command thee.

Discover no fear, and conceal no message, See ver. 8.

Heb. Break thee in pieces, either lest thou prove confused, and shattered in thy notions, and unable to deliver thy message, lest I leave thee, and forsake thee. Or, lest I terrifie thee worse, then they are able to do, even to ruin thee, See Matth. 10.28.

It seems to be spoken by way of aggravation, God would shame him, or destroy him even in their sight, to become their reproach. Or, think not to [illegible: 1 letter]scape any more then Vriah, chap. 26.23.

Marginal references: Or, break to pieces.