I will bring upon Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven: This is the equivalent of bringing wind from all directions, as Good News Translation clearly states with “I will make winds blow against Elam from all directions.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders “I will let storms break out against them from all directions.” In light of verse 37, it is clear that the winds or storms are not just natural forces bringing disaster, but that they stand for the LORD’s judgment at the hands of Elam’s enemies. This is expressed directly by New Living Translation “I will bring enemies from all directions” and Contemporary English Version “Enemies will attack from all directions.”

Those driven out of Elam; that is, “refugees from Elam.”

In many languages, come is better rendered “go.”

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 .