For Thus says the LORD, see 2.2.
As in many other places in the book, there are several layers of quotation here. The LORD tells Jeremiah to tell the people what he, the LORD, says. Good News Translation has made this clear by saying, “The LORD God said to me, ‘Jeremiah, tell the people of Israel that….’ ” It could also be rendered “The LORD told Jeremiah to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Pay attention to what the LORD says: “Wine jars should be filled with wine.” ’ ”
Jar refers to a large storage jar that might be used for wine, oil, or grain, though the context here requires the meaning “wine jar” (Good News Translation, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). The people claim that they know that wine jars should be filled with wine. To translate jar, translators should use a term for a container for liquids that is made of pottery if possible; but if this is unknown, at least the container should be made of something that can be shattered and broken. Skin containers, for example, would not be acceptable. For wine see the discussion of “vine” at 2.21. It is important that the word used refer to a drink from fruit juice that has alcohol, since the possibility of being drunk is referred to in verse 13. Thus if wine is not known, and there is no good local equivalent, then translators might say “fermented juice” or “fermented drink.”
Shall be filled is more often translated “should be filled” (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New International Version). But whether this is meant as a general statement about wine jars or as a command is not clear. Bible en français courant makes the first interpretation clear with “A jar is made to hold wine.” Some commentators believe that Jeremiah is deliberately making a statement here which is so self-evident that it provokes some response from the people who aren’t paying much attention. Whatever the reason for Jeremiah saying this, translators should probably not use an imperative, and should have instead “should be filled,” “should contain,” or “are made for.”
The question the people ask Jeremiah, Do we not indeed know … with wine? is rhetorical, with the purpose being to state that they do indeed know. In some languages an affirmation is more natural, as in “Indeed we do know….” Or a combination is often used, as in “Of course every jar should be filled with wine. Do you think we don’t know that?”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .