Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 5:15

15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of e Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

Viz. From Chaldea: by these are meant Iudah; for Israel properly so called, viz. the 10 Tribes were in Captivity before see on chap. 4.1. called the house of Israel; not only, because they descended from Iacob, but because they were the chief of that stock.

It is both potent, or, as the word is▪ rough or harsh, and of great antiquity, ever since the laying the first foundation of Babylon by Nimrod about 170 years after the flood▪ and hence it is called the land of Nimrod, M.c. 5.6. and this doth much add to their cruelty that they have had dominion▪ and rule in their hands so long, and whereby they have not only grown more proud and haughty, but having been brought up so long in ways of blood, and slaughter, they must needs by this time become skilful to destroy.

Which makes thy case much more desperate. It is a great disadvantage when persons understand not one another; they will, neither understand thy intreaties, nor thou their offers, being both unintelligible, and inexorable, which will render thy condition much more sad and perplexed; speech being that by which the affection is readily communicated, and is the bond of humane Society; Hence this was part of the Judgment threatned, Deut. 28.36.49, 50. the Iewes not well understanding the Syrian Tongue, which the Chaldeans spake, having had no converse with them before the Captivity. It was this put a stop to all converse at the building of Babel.

Marginal references: Isa. 5.26. chap. 1.15. & 6.22.