Jeremiah 6:23 - Exposition

Spear ; rather, javelin (or, lance ). They are cruel . The cruelty of the Assyrians and Babylonians seems to have spread general dismay. Nahum calls Nineveh "the city of bloodshed" ( Nahum 3:1 ); Habakkuk styles the Chaldeans "bitter and vehement, terrible and dreadful" ( Habakkuk 1:6 , Habakkuk 1:7 ). The customs brought out into view m the monuments justify this most amply, though Professor Rawlinson thinks we cannot call the Assyrians naturally hard. hearted. "The Assyrian listens to the enemy who asks for quarter; he prefers making prisoners go slaying.; he is very terrible in the battle and the assault, but afterwards he forgives and spares" ('Ancient Monarchies,' 1.243). Their voice roareth . The horrid roar of the advancing hosts seems to have greatly struck the Jews (comp. Isaiah 5:30 ; Isaiah 17:12 , Isaiah 17:13 ).