A lion: See the comments at 2.15 and 2.30. Here the reference is clearly to the attacking army, which is further identified as a destroyer of nations. It may be better to change the order of the two references as in Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch: “A destroyer of nations has set out. Like a lion he….”

Gone up does not really have the meaning of “up,” but rather simply means to leave.

A thicket refers to the thick growth of bushes where a lion might hide or rest. Good News Translation renders it “hiding place,” clearly its function here.

He has gone forth from his place repeats the idea of the second line. Good News Translation has found it more natural to drop it.

Waste … ruins without inhabitant: See 2.15.

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 .