Jeremiah 50:27-37

27 Kill all the young men in Babylon; let them be killed like animals. How terrible it will be for them, because the time has come for their defeat; it is time for them to be punished.

28 Listen to the people running to escape the country of Babylon! how the Lord our God is punishing Babylon as it deserves for destroying his Temple.

29 "Call for the archers to come against Babylon. Tell them to surround the city, and let no one escape. Pay her back for what she has done; do to her what she has done to other nations. Babylon acted with pride against the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.

30 So her young men will be killed in her streets. All her soldiers will die on that day," says the Lord.

31 "Babylon, you are too proud, and I am against you," says the Lord God All-Powerful. "The time has come for you to be punished.

32 Proud Babylon will stumble and fall, and no one will help her get up. I will start a fire in her towns, and it will burn up everything around her."

33 This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: "The people of Israel and Judah are slaves. The enemy took them as prisoners and won't let them go.

34 But God is strong and will buy them back. His name is the Lord All-Powerful. He will surely defend them with power so he can give rest to their land. But he will not give rest to those living in Babylon."

35 The Lord says, "Let a sword kill the people living in Babylon and her officers and wise men!

36 Let a sword kill her false prophets, and they will become fools. Let a sword kill her warriors, and they will be full of terror.

37 Let a sword kill her horses and chariots and all the soldiers hired from other countries! Then they will be like frightened women. Let a sword attack her treasures, so they will be taken away.

Jeremiah 50:27-37 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.