The Rechabites now explain their presence in Jerusalem: they are there only because of the danger from Nebuchadnezzar’s army in the land.

The expression came up against the land means “attacked [or, invaded] the land.”

Come, and let us go: The Rechabites are speaking to each other. Good News Translation makes this indirect speech (“we decided to me”), which is more natural in many languages.

Chaldeans; that is, “Babylonians” (see 21.4).

The Syrians are allies of the Babylonians at this time (see 2Kgs 24.2).

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 .