Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 6:6

6 For thus hath the LORD of hosts said , Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem. This is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.

Viz. To the Chaldeans: Here God declares whence they have their Commission, q. d. they come not up on their own heads, see chap. 5.14, 15. God would have the Iews to know, that they have not so much to do with the Chaldeans, as with him, that they are his rod to scourge them for their sins, chap. 1.15, 16. See 2 King. 18.25. and thus God is said to hiss for such, whom he will employ in such work, Isa 5.26. and 7.18. and he stiles himself the Lord of Hosts to shew that it is in vain to contend in Battel with them, whom he sends forth, and will be as it were the Captain of their Hosts.

Heb. A tree collectively taken, q. d. cut them down all, as one tree, not sparing their very fruit Trees, which indeed were to be spared in such a case, Deut. 20.19, Either such as ly in the way of your March, or all round about Ierusalem, or, such as you may have need of there, or elsewhere for your use, either to raise up works against the strong places, Deut. 20.20. or to make other instruments of war.

Throw up one continued Trench, as a mount round about it, see on Isa. 37.33. Heb. pour out the engine, of that see 2 Sam. 20.15.

God is said to visit sometimes in mercy, Gen. 50.24. Zeph. 2.7. and sometime in Judgment, as here, and chap. 5.9. and 23.2. they are ripe for it, Ezek. 7.10, 11, 12. See 1 Thes. 2.16. and it is decreed against them, and ready to come upon them, chap. 23.12. Hos. 9.7. all attempts have failed and now there is no remedy.

In the Abstract she doth nothing but oppress, there are found in her all kinds of oppression, and in [illegible: 1 letter]ustice, a Synecdoche for all other Cruelties, 2 King. 24.3, 4. Ezek. 7.23. even in that City, which was once full of Judgment, and Righteousness lodged in it, Isa. 1.21. swallowed up with oppression.

Marginal references: Or, pour out the engines of shot.