Jeremiah 50
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
BABYLON'S COMING DOWNFALL; ISRAEL'S REDEMPTION. (Jer. 50:1-46) Compare Isa. 45:1-47:15. But as the time of fulfilment drew nearer, the prophecies are now proportionally more distinct than then.
Open source ↗The word that the Lord spake against Babylon,.... Or "to", of "of Babylon" (c); the city of Babylon, the metropolis of the Chaldean empire; sometimes it signifies the whole country, here the city only, as appears by what follows: and against the land of the Chaldeans; whither the Jews were carried captive, for whose comfort this prophecy is delivered out; and which had subdued other nations, and was become an universal monarchy; these people are mentioned last, because the rest of the nations were to drink the cup of God's wrath at their hands, and then they were to drink it after them; see Jer 25:9; this is to be understood not only of Babylon and its empire, literally taken, but of mystical Babylon and its dependencies; of Rome, and its jurisdiction; of antichrist, and the antichristian states, the last enemies of the church and people of God, who will be destroyed by the pouring out of the seven vials; see Rev 15:1. This prophecy, which is called "the word that the Lord spake", for it was from him, the thing was decreed and declared by him, came by Jeremiah the prophet, to whom the king of Babylon had been very kind; but yet he must be, and was, faithful as a prophet, to deliver what he had from the Lord concerning the ruin of his empire. (c) "ad Babel", Montanus; "de Babylone", V. L. "de Babel", Cocceius.
Open source ↗The title, "The word which Jahveh spake concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet," follows Jer 46:13 in choosing אשׁר דּ instead of the usual אשׁר היה, and deviates from that passage only in substituting "by the hand of Jeremiah" for "to Jeremiah," as in Jer 37:2. The preference of the expression "spake by the hand of" for "spake to," is connected with the fact that the following prophecy does not contain a message of the Lord which came to Jeremiah, that he might utter it before the people, but a message which he was to write down and send to Babylon, Jer 51:60. The apposition to "Babylon," viz., "the land of the Chaldeans," serves the purpose of more exactly declaring that "Babylon" is to be understood not merely of the capital, but also of the kingdom; cf. Jer 50:8, Jer 50:45, and 51, 54.
Open source ↗I. Here is a word spoken against Babylon by him whose works all agree with his word and none of whose words fall to the ground. The king of Babylon had been very kind of Jeremiah, and yet he must foretel the ruin of that kingdom; for God's prophets must not be governed by favour or affection. Whoever are our friends, if, notwithstanding, they are God's enemies, we dare not speak peace to them. 1. The destruction of Babylon is here spoken of as a thing done, Jer 50:2. let it be published to the nations as a piece of news, true news, and great news, and news they are all concerned in; let them hang out the flag, as is usual on days of triumph, to give notice of it; let all the world take notice of it: Babylon is taken. Let God have the honour of it, let his people have the comfort of it, and therefore do not conceal it. Take care that it be known, that the Lord may be known by those judgments which he executes, Psa 9:16. 2. It is spoken of as a thing done thoroughly. For, (1.) The very idols of Babylon, which the people would protect with all possible care, and from which they expected protection, shall be destroyed. Bel and Merodach were their two principal deities; they shall be confounded, and the images of them broken to pieces. (2.) The country shall be laid waste (Jer 50:3) out of the north, from Media, which lay north of Babylon, and from Assyria, through which Cyrus made his descent upon Babylon; thence the nation shall come that shall make her land desolate. Their land was north of the countries that they destroyed, who were therefore threatened with evil from the north (Omne malum ab aquilone - Every evil comes from the north); but God will find out nations yet further north to come upon them. The pomp and power of old Rome were brought down by northern nations,…
Open source ↗50:1–51:64 This message of judgment on Babylon is the longest for any nation except Judah, and threats against Babylon are interwoven with promises for Judah’s restoration. Babylon was the Lord’s agent for destroying the other civilizations of the Near East, but it was also guilty of its own sins. The Lord would judge Babylon by doing to her what she had done to others (50:15).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כַּשְׂדִּי (Kasdîy, H3778) — a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative נֵס (nêç, H5251) — a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a… כָּחַד (kâchad, H3582) — to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… בֵּל (Bêl, H1078) — Bel, the Baal of the Babylonians יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… מְרֹדָךְ (Mᵉrôdâk, H4781) — Merodak, a Babylonian idol חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or… עָצָב (ʻâtsâb, H6091) — an (idolatrous) image
Open source ↗צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שַׁמָּה (shammâh, H8047) — ruin; by implication, consternation יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נוּד (nûwd, H5110) — to nod, i.e. waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… הֵנָּה (hênnâh, H2008) — hither or thither (but used both of place and time) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לָוָה (lâvâh, H3867) — properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… תָּעָה (tâʻâh, H8582) — to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שׁוֹבָב (shôwbâb, H7726) — apostate, i.e. idolatrous הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention רֵבֶץ (rêbets, H7258) — a couch or place of repose
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָשַׁם (ʼâsham, H816) — to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָוֶה (nâveh, H5116) — (adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home,… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity מִקְוֶה (miqveh, H4723) — something waited for, i.e. confidence (objective or subjective); also a collection, i.e.… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗נוּד (nûwd, H5110) — to nod, i.e. waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כַּשְׂדִּי (Kasdîy, H3778) — a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also… עַתּוּד (ʻattûwd, H6260) — prepared, i.e. full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
Open source ↗עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… חֵץ (chêts, H2671) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God)… גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent שָׁכֹל (shâkôl, H7921) — properly, to miscarry, i.e. suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or…
Open source ↗כַּשְׂדִּי (Kasdîy, H3778) — a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also… שָׁלָל (shâlâl, H7998) — booty שָׁלַל (shâlal, H7997) — to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome עָלַז (ʻâlaz, H5937) — to jump for joy, i.e. exult שָׁסָה (shâçâh, H8154) — to plunder נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… פּוּשׁ (pûwsh, H6335) — to spread; figuratively, act proudly עֶגְלָה (ʻeglâh, H5697) — a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e. a heifer) דֶּשֶׁא (desheʼ, H1877) — a sprout; by analogy, grass דּוּשׁ (dûwsh, H1758) — to trample or thresh צָהַל (tsâhal, H6670) — to gleam, i.e. (figuratively) be cheerful; by transference to sound clear (of various… אַבִּיר (ʼabbîyr, H47) — {mighty (spoken of God)}
Open source ↗אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… חָפֵר (châphêr, H2659) — to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach אַחֲרִית (ʼachărîyth, H319) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… צִיָּה (tsîyâh, H6723) — aridity; concretely, a desert עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the…
Open source ↗קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שְׁמָמָה (shᵉmâmâh, H8077) — devastation; figuratively, astonishment עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… שָׁרַק (shâraq, H8319) — properly, to be shrill, i.e. to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn) מַכָּה (makkâh, H4347) — a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
Open source ↗עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… דָּרַךְ (dârak, H1869) — to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string abow (by treading on it in bending) קֶשֶׁת (qesheth, H7198) — a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… חָמַל (châmal, H2550) — to commiserate; by implication, to spare חֵץ (chêts, H2671) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God)… חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him.
Look at the land of the Chaldeans— a people now of no account. The Assyrians destined it for the desert creatures; they set up their siege towers and stripped its palaces. They brought it to ruin.
So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living.
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended!
And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.
His kingdom began in Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.