Jeremiah 50:12-22

12 But Mother Babylon will be humiliated; the one who bore you will be disgraced. She will become the least of the nations: a wilderness, a desert, and parched land.
13 Because of the LORD's anger, no one will live there; she will be reduced to total ruin. All who pass by Babylon will be shocked; they will gasp at all her injuries.
14 Take up your positions around Babylon, all you archers; now shoot at her; save none of your arrows, because she's sinned against the LORD.
15 Raise a victory shout against her on every side! She's surrendered; her towers have collapsed; her walls are destroyed. This is the LORD's retribution; now pay her back: do to her what she's done to others!
16 Cut Babylon off from those who plant and those who harvest the crops, because of its ruthless sword. Now return, all of you, to your people; flee to your homeland!
17 Israelites are scattered sheep, driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured them, and now Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar has ravaged them.
18 Therefore, the LORD of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: I'm going to punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria.
19 But I will restore Israel to their pasture; they will graze on Carmel and Bashan; they will eat their fill in the highlands of Ephraim and Gilead.
20 In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, if one searches for the sin of Israel, they will find nothing; if one seeks out the wrongdoing of Judah, they will look in vain. I will forgive those I have spared.
21 Attack the land of Merathaim; crush those living in Pekod. Ruin and destroy them, declares the LORD; do all I have commanded you.
22 There's the sound of war in the land and enormous devastation.

Jeremiah 50:12-22 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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