Jeremiah 50:33-40

The Desolation of Babylon

33 This is what the Lord of Hosts says: Israelites and Judeans alike have been oppressed. All their captors hold them fast; they refuse to release them.
34 Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of Hosts is His name. He will fervently plead their case[a] so that He might bring rest to the earth but turmoil to those who live in Babylon.[b]
35 A sword is over the Chaldeans- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration- against those who live in Babylon, against her officials, and against her sages.
36 A sword is against the diviners, and they will act foolishly. A sword is against her heroic warriors, and they will be terrified.
37 A sword is against his horses and chariots and against all the foreigners among them, and they will be like women. A sword is against her treasuries, and they will be plundered.
38 A drought will come on her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of carved images, and they go mad because of terrifying things.[c][d]
39 Therefore, desert creatures[e] will live with jackals, and ostriches will also live in her. It will never again be inhabited or lived in through all generations.[f]
40 Just as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns[g]- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration- so no one will live there; no human being will even stay in it as a resident alien.[h]

Jeremiah 50:33-40 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 8

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