Jeremiah 50:1-6

Judgment on Babylon

1 The word that the LORD spoke concerning 1Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, 2by Jeremiah the prophet:
2 "Declare among the nations and proclaim, set up a banner and proclaim, conceal it not, and say: 3'Babylon is taken, 4Bel is put to shame, Merodach is dismayed. 5Her images are put to shame, her idols are dismayed.'
3 "For 6out of the north a nation has come up against her, 7which shall make her land a desolation, and none shall dwell in it; 8both man and beast shall flee away.
4 9"In those days and in that time, declares the LORD, 10the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, 11weeping as they come, and they 12shall seek the LORD their God.
5 13They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, 14saying, 'Come, let us join ourselves to the LORD in an 15everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.'
6 16"My people have been lost sheep. 17Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.

Jeremiah 50:1-6 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 17

  • 1. See Isa. 13:1 - 14:27; Isaiah 21:1-10
  • 2. [Jeremiah 51:59, 60]
  • 3. Isaiah 21:9
  • 4. See Isaiah 46:1
  • 5. Isaiah 21:9
  • 6. See Jeremiah 1:14
  • 7. ver. 13, 23; Jeremiah 51:29
  • 8. Jeremiah 51:62; [Psalms 135:8]
  • 9. See Jeremiah 3:18
  • 10. See Jeremiah 3:18
  • 11. Jeremiah 31:9, 18; Ezra 8:21; Psalms 126:6
  • 12. Hosea 3:5
  • 13. [Jeremiah 31:21]
  • 14. [Isaiah 2:3]
  • 15. See Jeremiah 32:40
  • 16. ver. 17; Isaiah 53:6; [Matthew 18:12; Luke 15:4]
  • 17. Zechariah 10:2; See Ezekiel 34:1-6
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.