Jeremiah 50:9-19

9 For I will soon stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country. They will line up in battle formation against her; from there she will be captured. Their arrows will be like those of a skilled^[a] warrior who does not return empty-handed.

10 The Chaldeans will become plunder; all her plunderers will be fully satisfied. [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration.

11 Because you rejoice, because you sing in triumph- you who plundered My inheritance- because you frolic like a young cow treading grain and neigh like stallions,^[b]

12 your mother will be utterly humiliated; she who bore you will be put to shame. Look! She will lag behind all^[c] the nations- a dry land, a wilderness, an Arabah.

13 Because of the Lord's wrath, she will not be inhabited; she will become a desolation, every bit of her. Everyone who passes through Babylon will be horrified and scoff because of all her wounds.^[d]

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.^[e]

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Jeremiah 50:9-19 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 5

[a]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read bereaving
[b]. Jr 8:16; 47:3; Jdg 5:22
[c]. Lit Look! The last of
[d]. Jr 19:8; 49:17
[e]. Isa 33:9; Mc 7:14; Nah 1:4

Jeremiah 50:9-19

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The Return of God's People

Jeremiah 50:9-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 50

Footnotes 5