Jeremiah 50:14-24

14 Line up in battle formation around Babylon, all you archers! Shoot at her! Do not spare an arrow, for she has sinned against the Lord.
15 Raise a war cry against her on every side! She has thrown up her hands [in surrender]; her defense towers have fallen; her walls are demolished. Since this is the Lord's vengeance, take out your vengeance on her; as she has done, do the same to her.
16 Cut off the sower from Babylon as well as him who wields the sickle at harvest time. Because of the oppressor's sword, each will turn to his own people, each will flee to his own land.

The Return of God's People

17 Israel is a stray lamb, chased by lions. The first who devoured him was the king of Assyria; this last who has crunched his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
18 Therefore, this is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: "I am about to punish the king of Babylon and his land just as I punished the king of Assyria.
19 I will return Israel to his grazing land, and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan; he will be satisfied in the hill country of Ephraim and of Gilead.[a]
20 In those days and at that time- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration- one will search for Israel's guilt, but there will be none, and for Judah's sins, but they will not be found, for I will forgive[b] those I leave as a remnant.[c]

The Invasion of Babylon

21 Go against the land of Merathaim, and against those living in Pekod. Put them to the sword; completely destroy them- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration- do everything I have commanded you.[d]
22 The sound of war is in the land- a great destruction.
23 How the hammer of the whole earth is cut down and smashed! What a horror Babylon has become among the nations![e]
24 Babylon, I laid a trap for you, and you were caught, but you did not even know it. You were found and captured because you fought against the Lord.

Jeremiah 50:14-24 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.

Footnotes 5

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