Jeremiah 50:6-16

6 My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray. They wander around on the mountains. They go from mountains to hills. They have forgotten their resting place.

7 Everyone who finds them eats them. Their enemies say, 'We're not guilty. They have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture. They have sinned against the LORD, the hope of their ancestors.'

8 "Run away from Babylon. Leave the land of the Babylonians. Be like the male goats that lead the flock.

9 I am going to stir up an alliance of strong nations from the north and bring it against Babylon. Those nations will take up positions against Babylon. Babylon will be captured from the north. Its enemy's arrows will be like skilled soldiers who don't come back empty-handed.

10 The Babylonians will become the prize. All who loot them will get everything they want," declares the LORD.

11 "You are happy and excited. You have looted the people who belong to me. You dance around like calves on the grass and neigh like stallions.

12 But your mother will be greatly ashamed. The woman who gave birth to you will be disgraced. Babylon, you will be the least important nation. You will become a parched desert.

13 No one will live in Babylon because of the LORD's anger. It will be completely abandoned. Everyone who passes by Babylon will be horrified and hiss at all its wounds.

14 "Take up your positions around Babylon, all you archers with bows. Shoot at it; don't save any arrows, because the people of Babylon have sinned against the LORD.

15 Shout a war cry against them on every side. They'll surrender. Their towers will fall and their walls will be torn down. Since this is the LORD's vengeance, take revenge against them. Do to them what they did to others.

16 Don't allow anyone in Babylon to plant or harvest. Everyone will turn to his own people and flee to his own homeland because of the enemies' swords.

Jeremiah 50:6-16 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.