Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 5:6

6 Wherefore a lion out of the forrest shall slay them, a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them , a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces▪ because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are z increased.

Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldean Army from Syria and Libanus woody places are here pointed at under the metaphor of Beasts of prey of three kinds; the malignity that is proper to each of these Creatures shall be put forth in this Babylonian Army, for instance, to a Lion, chap. 4.7. which notes his great power, courage, pride, and insulting over his prey.

For their greediness, and unsatiableness, one Wolf will destroy abundance of Sheep, and said to be the Wolf of the Evening, or Desarts, or Plains, it being the usual haunts of the Wolf; or evening, because then they are observed to be most ravenous, Hab 1.8. possibly, because lying most part of the day in their Dens for fear of the Huntsmen, want of prey enrageth their Hunger at night, and because of this greediness to devour, the Judges among themselves are said to be evening Wolves, described Zeph. 3.3. They gnaw not the bones till the morrow, either through hunger or rage.

The Chaldean Army compared to a Leopard not for its speed only, but especially for its vigilancy, and subtilty, they will be so vigilant, that scarce any shall escape according to verse 16.

Heb. Strong, here is the reason, why God would bring such a devastation upon them, because they did, as it were, strengthen themselves in the multitude of their rebellions against him.

Marginal references: Psal. 104.20.; Or, desarts.; Hos. 13.17.; Heb. strong.