Jeremiah 49:19

Behold, &c.— Maundrell, speaking of the Jordan, says, that the bank of the river is so beset with bushes and trees, such as tamarisks, willows, oleanders, that you can see no water till you have made your way through them. In this thicket anciently (and the same is reported of it at this very day) several sorts of wild beasts were wont to harbour themselves, who being washed out of their covert by the overflowings of the river, gave occasion to the allusion here and ch. Jeremiah 50:44. See his Journey from Aleppo, p. 82 and Bishop Lowth's 6th Prelection. Nebuchadrezzar and his army are pointed out by this similitude. Houbigant and Schultens render this verse, And I will make him dart out thence, and run. Instead of, The habitation of the strong, Houbigant reads, Upon the ancient pastures; and the latter part of the verse, What chosen soldier will defend thee? For who is like me, or who will dare to stir me up, or where is that shepherd who can stand before me? The word shepherd is used in opposition to the lion before mentioned; as if he had said, "A shepherd may as well encounter a lion, as the best-accoutred warrior contend against the Almighty, or those whom he makes the instruments of his vengeance." See Calmet, and Lowth.