Jeremiah 25:18

The list which follows is one which has evidently been expanded. The LXX omit "all the kings of the land of Uz" (Jeremiah 25:20), "all the kings of Arabia" [or (see note there) "all the kings of the mingled people"] (Jeremiah 25:24), and "all the kings of Zimri" (Jeremiah 25:25). Gi. and Co. accordingly consider that this phrase marks additions throughout. It will also be observed that in Jeremiah 25:20 Philistia is virtually enumerated ("Ashkelon, etc.") twice. In Jeremiah 25:18 Co. would omit all after "Judah," and put Pharaoh at the head of the list to be displaced afterwards by a scribe jealous for the precedence of his country even in a list of this character!

We may perceive a certain system (south to north) in the enumeration. After Jerusalem and Judah the prophet takes in order the furthest south (Egypt), south-east (Uz), south-west (Philistines), east (Edom, etc.), west (Tyre, etc.), east and northwards (Dedan, etc. to the Medes), and finally the north far and near (Jeremiah 25:26).

kings For the suspicious character of the use of the pl. see end of introd. note on Jeremiah 19:3-9.

and a curse not in LXX, and probably introduced here from Jeremiah 24:9.

as it is this day absent from LXX, and evidently added after b.c. 586 in the time of the exile.