The Lord, who has always been known as “the compassionate and gracious God” (Exodus 34:6), has changed toward Jeremiah. He has now become a bear or lion who hunts and devours, or a hunter who shoots his bows at Jeremiah. As always, Jeremiah is here speaking on his own behalf but also on behalf of the faithful remnant of Israel.
10 He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding;