Verses 29-30 resume the line of thought from verse 27 and again focus attention upon those attacking Babylonia.

Summon … against may be rendered “Call … to attack.”

Since archers and those who bend the bow are the same, it is possible to collapse them into one expression and translate either “archers” or “bowmen.” Both Bible en français courant and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch do this, though Good News Translation uses two different expressions: “archers” and “everyone who knows how to use the bow and arrow.”

Encamp round about her: In ancient warfare an army would often set up camp around an enemy city and cut off all food and water supplies until the people had to surrender. Revised English Bible uses a more technical expression for this military action: “Besiege her on all sides.”

Requite her according to her deeds means the same as do to her according to all that she has done. Good News Translation, however, retains both forms: “Pay it back for all it has done, and treat it as it has treated others.”

She has proudly defied the LORD means “Babylonia was proud and refused to obey the LORD.”

The Holy One of Israel: This is a reference to the LORD, which may be translated “the holy God of Israel” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

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 .