Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 4:10

10 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD, surely thou hast greatly deceived this people, and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace ; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul .

The Heb. aha, is a word both of admiration and lamentation together; they are Ieremiah's words, and complaint breathed out in the great sorrow and sighing of Soul▪ which he expresseth more emphatically, chap. 23.9.

Either hath suffered them to be thus deluded by these false Prophets, Isa. 63.17. Ezek. 14.9. compare 1 Kings 22.21, 22, 23. and 2 T[illegible: 1 letter]es. 2.11. or possibly, it may be read better by way of interrogation, q. d. how can it possibly be, that thou shouldst suffer thy people to be thus deluded by their false Prophets, Num. 23.19. thou being a God, that canst not lie, Titus 1.2.

Under the word Peace is comprized, and intended all good, intimating all things should go on prosperously with them, Gen. 37.14. and seems the rather to be thus expressed, because it was the common Language, and phrase of the false Prophets, 8.11, and 23.17.

To perswade them it should be well with them, when the sword is at the door, not only ready to take away the comforts of Life, but even Life it self, Soul being put for Life, verse 30. Psalm. 69.1. Mat. 16.25, 26. It may intimate also a great cutting off, and slaughter among them, especially their great ones, they being, as it were, the soul of the people.