6. Of hosts. Or, “of armies” (see I, 173; see on Joshua 5:14; Ps. 24:10).
I cannot speak. Jeremiah objected that he lacked the eloquence necessary to qualify him for the prophetic office. A prophet must speak to great men and to multitudes. How could he, without the powers of oratory, win the attention of the people or influence them for God (see on Ex. 3:11; 4:10)? He felt that he could not frame his messages in suitable language.
Hew ye down trees. The prophet gives a graphic description of an ancient siege. The area around the city was cleared. Trees were cut and the timber was used in the construction of mounds, embankments, towers, and military engines. The Mosaic law forbade the cutting of fruit-bearing trees for siege purposes (see on Deut. 20:19, 20). Plutarch records a similar law among the Egyptians, but it is doubtful whether other Near Eastern nations were that scrupulous.
Child. na‘ar, “a young man” (see Gen. 41:12; Ex. 33:11). Judging by the length of his ministry, Jeremiah was probably under 25, perhaps only 18 or 20 years old. Na‘ar is elsewhere used of young adults (see Gen. 41:12; see on 1 Kings 3:7).
Cast a mount. Basketfuls of earth were carried and heaped up to make a mound that was piled up until it was level with the walls. From such elevations direct assaults could be made (see 2 Sam. 20:15; 2 Kings 19:32; Isa. 29:3; Eze. 4:2).