Jeremiah 12:9

Jeremiah 12:9. Mine heritage, &c.— Bochart and the LXX. read Mine heritage is unto me as the ravenous hyena; the ravenous beasts are round about it. The context seems indisputably to prove the propriety of this interpretation עוט aiit, unquestionably signifies a wild beast, as well as a rapacious bird. See Parkhurst on the word. In this view the meaning of the prophet is, "Wherefore do the Jews, whom I have adopted for my sons, and chosen for my heritage, roar, rage, and clamour against me? Are they so lost to every dictate of reason and humanity, as to become like the hyena? Shall I say, that they who inhabit this land are become enormously brutal, and are more like wild beasts than men? especially as their manners are more depraved than those of the most barbarous nations, or the most rapacious animals? They are certainly beasts of prey, and no longer men: as such, I will send against them other beasts of prey, namely, the Chaldeans, who shall render their country desolate. Come ye, assemble all the wild beasts of the field; come to devour." See Boch. Hieroz. vol. 1: lib. 3 cap. 11 and Scheuchzer on the place.