Verses 12-15 are essentially repeated in 8.10-12.

The Hebrew passive construction (Their houses shall be turned over to others) is transformed into an active construction by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch: “Others will take possession of their houses and property.” But it may be, in light of the third line of this verse, that the LORD himself is the agent, so another alternative is “I will give their houses and property to others.”

One commentator believes that the word that Revised Standard Version has rendered together is better understood as “as well.” Thus the first two lines could be “Others will take possession of their houses, and of their fields and wives as well.” The difference is that together gives the impression that fields and wives explains or expands houses, but “as well” lists the three as separate things. In any case, the overall effect is certainly not very different: everything they own is going to be taken from them.

I will stretch out my hand against the inhabitants of the land (see 15.6) indicates an act of punishment: “I am going to punish the people of this land” (Good News Translation). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch retains the figure of speech, but interprets it: “I will lift my hand for a blow against the inhabitants of this land.”

Says the LORD: See 1.8.

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 .