(23) Dedan, and Tema, and Buz.--From the west we pass again to the east, the first two districts lying to the south-east of Edom, the last probably in the same region. For Dedan see Genesis 10:7; Genesis 25:3; Genesis 25:2; 1Chronicles 1:9; 1Chronicles 1:32; Isaiah 21:13; Ezekiel 25:13. For Tema, on the modern pilgrims' road from Damascus to Mecca, see Isaiah 21:14; Job 6:19. For Buz see Genesis 22:21. The fact that the "travelling companies of Dedanim" (Isaiah 21:13) carried on the trade between Tyre and Arabia (Ezekiel 27:15) accounts in part for their mention here.

All that are in the utmost corners.--The marginal reading gives the true meaning--all that have the corners of their temples shorn. (See Note on Jeremiah 9:26.) The words point to the nomad tribes of Kedar, who were distinguished by this peculiarity. For "mingled people," see Note on Jeremiah 25:20. The genealogies of Genesis 10, Genesis 25:1-16, and 1 Chronicles 1 point to a great intermingling of Cushite and Semitic races in these regions.

Verse 23. - Dedan, and Tema, and Buz. Three tribes of North Arabia, bordering on Edom. The two former are mentioned as commercial peoples in Isaiah 21:13, 14; Ezekiel 27:15, 20; Ezekiel 38:13; Job 6:19. Elihu, Job's youngest friend, was of Bus (Job 32:2). All that are in the utmost corners; rather, all the corner-clipped (see on Jeremiah 9:26).

25:15-29 The evil and the good events of life are often represented in Scripture as cups. Under this figure is represented the desolation then coming upon that part of the world, of which Nebuchadnezzar, who had just began to reign and act, was to be the instrument; but this destroying sword would come from the hand of God. The desolations the sword should make in all these kingdoms, are represented by the consequences of excessive drinking. This may make us loathe the sin of drunkenness, that the consequences of it are used to set forth such a woful condition. Drunkenness deprives men of the use of their reason, makes men as mad. It takes from them the valuable blessing, health; and is a sin which is its own punishment. This may also make us dread the judgments of war. It soon fills a nation with confusion. They will refuse to take the cup at thy hand. They will not believe Jeremiah; but he must tell them it is the word of the Lord of hosts, and it is in vain for them to struggle against Almighty power. And if God's judgments begin with backsliding professors, let not the wicked expect to escape.Dedan, and Tema, and Buz,.... These seem to be places in Edom or Idumea, of whose destruction Jeremiah prophesies in Jeremiah 49:7; or rather in Arabia and Mesopotamia. Jerom reckons them among the Ishmaelites and Saracens, The persons from whom they descended are mentioned in Genesis 22:21;

and all that are in the utmost corners; that is, either of the above countries, or of the whole earth: or "all that had their hair shorn" (m); or the corners of their beards; which Jerom says is applicable to the Saracens.

(m) "universis qui attonsi sunt in comam", V. L. "barbitonsis", Syr.