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Jeremiah 50:21-32

Listen to Jeremiah 50:21-32
21 “Go up against the land of Merathaim, [a] and against the inhabitants of Pekod. [b] Kill, 1and devote them to destruction, [c] declares the Lord, and do all that I have commanded you.
22 2The noise of battle is in the land, and great destruction!
23 3How the hammer of the whole earth is cut down and broken! 4How Babylon 5has become a horror among the nations!
24 6I set a snare for you and you were taken, O Babylon, and 7you did not know it; you were found and caught, because you opposed the Lord.
25 The Lord has opened his armory and brought out 8the weapons of his wrath, for the Lord God of hosts has a work to do in the land of the Chaldeans.
26 Come against her from every quarter; open her granaries; 9pile her up like heaps of grain, and devote her to destruction; let nothing be left of her.
27 Kill all 10her bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, for their day has come, 11the time of their punishment.
28 “A voice! They 12flee and escape from the land of Babylon, 13to declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God, vengeance for 14his temple.
29 15“Summon archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. 16Encamp around her; let no one escape. 17Repay her according to her deeds; do to her according to all that she has done. For she has 18proudly defied the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.
30 19Therefore her young men shall fall in her squares, and all her soldiers shall be destroyed on that day, declares the Lord.
31 “Behold, I am against you, O 20proud one, declares the Lord God of hosts, 21for your day has come, the time when I will punish you.
32 22The proud one shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up, 23and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all that is around him.

Jeremiah 50:21-32 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 50

This and the following chapter contain a long prophecy concerning the destruction of Babylon; and which is expressed in such language, that it may be, and is to be, accommodated to the destruction of mystical Babylon; and several passages in the book of the Revelation are borrowed from hence; and it is intermixed with promises and prophecies of the deliverance of God's people from thence, and of the conversion of the Jews, and the restoration of them to their own which will be at that time; see Jer 50:4,5,8,19,20,33,34. The destruction of Babylon in general is proclaimed and declared, and the manner and cause of it, Jer 50:1-13; then the enemies of Babylon are stirred up and animated to proceed against her, and execute the judgments of God upon her, Jer 50:14-30. Next follows the Lord's controversy with her, because of her pride and oppression of his people; and threatens her with the sword, drought, and utter destruction, Jer 50:31-40; and then a description is given of her enemies, that should be the instruments of her destruction, Jer 50:41-44; and the chapter is closed with observing, that this is all according to the counsel and purpose of God, Jer 50:45,46.

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Cross References 23

  • 1. 50:21 ver. 26; [ch. 51:3]
  • 2. 50:22 ch. 51:54
  • 3. 50:23 Isa. 14:6
  • 4. 50:23 [Rev. 18:19, 21]
  • 5. 50:23 ver. 3, 13
  • 6. 50:24 [Ps. 141:9]
  • 7. 50:24 [ch. 51:31; Dan. 5:30]
  • 8. 50:25 Isa. 13:5
  • 9. 50:26 [Neh. 4:2]
  • 10. 50:27 [Ps. 22:12; Isa. 34:7, 8]
  • 11. 50:27 ch. 46:21
  • 12. 50:28 [ver. 8]
  • 13. 50:28 ch. 51:10; Ps. 64:9
  • 14. 50:28 [ch. 51:11; 52:13; Dan. 5:3, 23]
  • 15. 50:29 [ver. 14; Job 16:13]
  • 16. 50:29 [ver. 14; Job 16:13]
  • 17. 50:29 ch. 25:14
  • 18. 50:29 Isa. 47:10
  • 19. 50:30 ch. 49:26
  • 20. 50:31 [See ver. 29 above]
  • 21. 50:31 ver. 27; ch. 49:8
  • 22. 50:32 [See ver. 29 above]
  • 23. 50:32 See ch. 17:27

Footnotes 3

  • [a] 50:21 'Merathaim' means 'double rebellion'
  • [b] 50:21 'Pekod' means 'punishment'
  • [c] 50:21 That is, set apart (devote) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025

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