The wealthy nation - Or, a nation at rest, living securely and in confidence.

Which dwell alone - They dwell alone, i. e., have neither alliances with other nations, nor contact by commerce.

The wealthy nation - גוי שליו goi sheleiv, "the peaceable nation" -

Have neither gates nor bars - The Arabs, who had nothing but their tents; no cities, nor even permanent villages.

Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation,.... Or, "to the nation that is at ease" (s); the people that live quietly and in peace; have no wars with their neighbours, nor any among themselves; which seems to be the better sense of the word, for these Kedarenes were not a very wealthy people: these words do not express the counsel and purpose of Nebuchadnezzar; or are an address of his to his army, commanding them to arise, and invade the country of Arabia; for they are the words of the Lord, and are addressed to him and his army to go up in a hostile manner against the Kedarenes, here described:

that dwelleth without care, saith the Lord; not without the care of their flocks, or without providing things necessary for themselves and families; they were not an indolent people, that lived an idle and inactive life; but they dwelt "confidently", or "securely" (t), as it may be rendered; they had no thought nor care to defend themselves from an enemy; they had no fear of any, imagining that no one would think it worth while to give themselves any trouble to invade them; their meanness they supposed was a protection to them:

which have neither gates nor bars; to their cities, or to their houses, being in no fear of an enemy to come and plunder them:

which dwell alone; being in no alliance with other nations; nor dwelling together in cities, towns, and villages, at least the common people; the greater part of them being scattered up and down, a few in one place, and a few in another; they dwelt for the convenience of feeding their flocks.

(s) "ad gentem quietam", V. L. Munster, Schmidt; "tranquillam", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "pacificam", so some in Vatablus, Pagninus, Montanus. (t) "habitantem confidenter", V. L. Pagninus; "in fiducia", Montanus; "in fiducia magna", Vatablus; "secure", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.

Jeremiah 49:31 does not declare the plan of the king of Babylon; but the words, "Arise, go ye up," etc., are once more the summons of the Lord, as is shown by the expression "saith Jahveh." The enemy is to march against a peaceful nation, dwelling securely, that has neither doors nor bars, i.e., does not live in cities surrounded by walls with gates and bars (cf. 1 Samuel 23:7; Deuteronomy 3:5), whose territory, therefore, is easily conquered. They dwell alone, apart from others, without connection and intercourse with other nations, from which they could obtain help and support. שׁליו, like זעיר, Job 36:2; Daniel 7:8, is a Chaldaizing form; elsewhere it is written שׁליו, Job 21:23, or שׁלו, Job 16:12. As to living securely, cf. Judges 18:7; Ezekiel 38:11; on living alone, 15:17. This last is elsewhere said only of Israel, Numbers 23:9; Deuteronomy 33:28. Their possessions will become the spoil of the enemy; God will scatter them to every wind (cf. Ezekiel 5:12; Ezekiel 12:14), and bring destruction on them from every side (on עבריו, cf. 1 Kings 5:4).

{f} Arise, go up to the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.

(f) He shows that they of Hazor will flee to the Arabians for comfort but that will not help them.

49:31 Arise - The result of Nebuchadrezzar's counsels, giving charge to his armies to march against the Kedarens, who lived at ease and took no care, nor had any neighbours that could assist them.

wealthy: or, that is at ease

31. wealthy-rather, "tranquil" (1Ch 4:40).

neither gates nor bars-The Arabs, lying out of the track of the contending powers of Asia and Africa, took no measures of defense and had neither walled cities nor gates (Eze 38:11). They thought their scanty resources and wilderness position would tempt no foe.

alone-separated from other nations, without allies; and from one another scattered asunder. So as to Israel's isolation (Nu 23:9; De 33:28; Mic 7:14).

49:28-33 Nebuchadnezzar would make desolation among the people of Kedar, who dwelt in the deserts of Arabia. He who conquered many strong cities, will not leave those unconquered that dwell in tents. He will do this to gratify his own covetousness and ambition; but God orders it for correcting an unthankful people, and for warning a careless world to expect trouble when they seem most safe. They shall flee, get far off, and dwell deep in the deserts; they shall be dispersed. But privacy and obscurity are not always protection and security.