Jeremiah 50:33-46

33 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to let them go.
34 Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon.
35 “A sword against the Babylonians!” declares the LORD— “against those who live in Babylon and against her officials and wise men!
36 A sword against her false prophets! They will become fools. A sword against her warriors! They will be filled with terror.
37 A sword against her horses and chariots and all the foreigners in her ranks! They will become weaklings. A sword against her treasures! They will be plundered.
38 A drought on[a] her waters! They will dry up. For it is a land of idols, idols that will go mad with terror.
39 “So desert creatures and hyenas will live there, and there the owl will dwell. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation.
40 As I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighboring towns,” declares the LORD, “so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it.
41 “Look! An army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are being stirred up from the ends of the earth.
42 They are armed with bows and spears; they are cruel and without mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, Daughter Babylon.
43 The king of Babylon has heard reports about them, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.
44 Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Babylon from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?”
45 Therefore, hear what the LORD has planned against Babylon, what he has purposed against the land of the Babylonians: The young of the flock will be dragged away; their pasture will be appalled at their fate.
46 At the sound of Babylon’s capture the earth will tremble; its cry will resound among the nations.

Jeremiah 50:33-46 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.

Cross References 38

  • 1. Isaiah 58:6
  • 2. S Isaiah 14:17
  • 3. S Exodus 6:6; S Job 19:25
  • 4. Jeremiah 31:35; Jeremiah 51:19
  • 5. S Psalms 119:154; S Isaiah 49:25; Jeremiah 15:21; Jeremiah 51:36; Lamentations 3:58
  • 6. S Isaiah 14:7
  • 7. S Jeremiah 47:6
  • 8. S Isaiah 45:1
  • 9. Daniel 5:7
  • 10. S Jeremiah 49:22
  • 11. Jeremiah 51:30,32
  • 12. S 2 Kings 19:23; Jeremiah 51:21
  • 13. S Isaiah 19:16; Jeremiah 51:30; Nahum 3:13
  • 14. S Isaiah 45:3
  • 15. Psalms 137:1; Jeremiah 51:13
  • 16. S Isaiah 11:15; Jeremiah 51:36
  • 17. S ver 2
  • 18. S Psalms 74:14
  • 19. Isaiah 13:19-22; Isaiah 34:13-15; Jeremiah 51:37; Revelation 18:2
  • 20. S Genesis 19:24; S Matthew 10:15
  • 21. Jeremiah 51:62
  • 22. S ver 26; S Isaiah 41:25; Jeremiah 6:22
  • 23. S Isaiah 13:17
  • 24. S Isaiah 13:4; Jeremiah 51:22-28
  • 25. S ver 14
  • 26. S Job 30:21
  • 27. S Isaiah 13:18
  • 28. S Isaiah 5:30
  • 29. S Isaiah 47:1; Jeremiah 6:23
  • 30. S Jeremiah 47:3
  • 31. Jeremiah 6:22-24
  • 32. S Jeremiah 12:5
  • 33. S Numbers 16:5
  • 34. S Job 41:10; Isaiah 46:9; S Jeremiah 49:19
  • 35. Psalms 33:11; Isaiah 14:24; Jeremiah 51:11
  • 36. S Isaiah 48:14
  • 37. S Judges 5:4; S Jeremiah 49:21
  • 38. S Job 24:12; Revelation 18:9-10

Footnotes 1

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