Jeremiah 6:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I will enact my wrath and bear it. This is to demonstrate that they are not punished because of a lack of sin, but rather because God is patient. Listen to His words: I will enact my wrath and endure. To instill fear, He employs human language. I will pour out upon those outside and upon the assembly. Notice the forceful manner of expression. He states, I will pour out, rather than I will refrain from pouring out. This also pertains to the initial age, which may also involve the beasts. Are you not saddened by your own misfortunes? Become aware of the sufferings of others. Even in the disaggregation of the body, the least sensitive parts provoke the most profound feelings in us. Husband and wife shall face it together, the aged person with the fulfilled... Neither gray hair, nor marriage, nor any other factor will provide them assistance at that time.

I was overwhelmed by the intense anger of the Lord and found it difficult to contain. The Septuagint presents an alternative interpretation, stating that while I was filled with my wrath and held it back, I did not bring destruction upon them. In the original Hebrew, the prophet seems to perceive the impending judgment of God, experiencing His fury and rage to such an extent that he can no longer suppress these feelings within himself and refrains from interceding for the wrongdoers. Conversely, the Septuagint suggests that the Lord Himself completed and unleashed His wrath upon the sinful people, yet chose to hold back some of it, allowing a remnant to be saved. This, however, appears contradictory—if He executed His wrath, how could He also restrain it?

I will carry out my wrath, yet I will show them patience and will not bring their end; this means I have resolved to discipline them, but I have also chosen to extend compassion and mercy. Nevertheless, He warns of a shared consequence that will fall upon the young and the elderly, husbands and wives alike, for all have embraced wickedness, including those in the priesthood and those who have audaciously spread falsehoods. Furthermore, He reveals the actions they have taken.