We looked for peace,.... Outward prosperity, affluence of temporal blessings, peace with enemies, and safety from them, which the false prophets had given them reason to expect; or which last they concluded and hoped for, from their being in the defenced cities:but no good came; they were disappointed in their expectation; the good that was promised them, and they looked for, never came, but all the reverse:and for a time of health; or, of healing ; the political wounds of the commonwealth of Israel:and behold trouble!
or "terror" ; at the approach of the enemy, described in the following verses. The Targum is,"a time of pardon of offences, and, lo, a punishment of sins.''Healing, in Scripture, signifies pardon of sin; see Ps 41:4.
hprm "medelae, [vel] sanationis", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Schmidt.