Jeremiah 50:17-19

17 “Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”
18 Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria.
19 But I will bring Israel back to their own pasture, and they will graze on Carmel and Bashan; their appetite will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.

Jeremiah 50:17-19 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 13

  • 1. S Leviticus 26:33; S Psalms 119:176
  • 2. S 2 Kings 24:1; S Jeremiah 2:15
  • 3. S Jeremiah 5:17
  • 4. S Deuteronomy 4:27; S 2 Kings 15:29; 2 Kings 17:6
  • 5. S Numbers 24:8; Lamentations 3:4
  • 6. Jeremiah 51:34; 2 Kings 24:10,14
  • 7. S 2 Kings 24:17; S 2 Kings 25:7
  • 8. S Isaiah 10:12
  • 9. Ezekiel 31:3; Zephaniah 2:13
  • 10. S Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:13
  • 11. Jeremiah 31:14
  • 12. S Jeremiah 31:5; Jeremiah 33:12
  • 13. Micah 7:14; Zechariah 10:10
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