A second means by which the LORD sought to protect Israel was that of appointing watchmen. In ancient Israel the watchmen would be positioned on the city wall to warn its inhabitants of an approaching enemy. If the city were in danger of attack, the watchmen would then command that the trumpet be blown to warn the people. The analogy is clear: God sent his prophets as watchmen, but the people of the city and nation refused to heed the warning. Watchmen refers to the series of prophets the LORD had sent over the years, not to one particular group of them at one point in time. For the use of a trumpet as a warning signal, see 4.5.

It is important to make clear in the translation that it is the LORD who says “Give heed to the sound of the trumpet,” not the watchmen, and it is the people who are to pay attention to the warning these watchmen give. Further, it is the people who refuse to pay attention. An alternative model for this whole verse is:

• I appointed watchmen for you, and told you, “Listen carefully for the trumpet being blown warning you of danger.” But you refused to pay attention [or, But you said, “We won’t listen for that”].

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 .