Jeremiah 50:44

44 Like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan to a well-watered meadow, so I will suddenly chase down Babylon and single out its choicest of rams. Who is like me? Who can direct me? What shepherd can withstand me?

Jeremiah 50:44 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 50:44

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of
Jordan
What is said of Nebuchadnezzar coming up against Edom is here said of Cyrus coming up against Babylon; for of a king it is to be understood; as the Targum,

``behold, a king with his army shall come up against them, as a lion from the height of Jordan;''
see ( Jeremiah 49:19 ) ; unto the habitation of the strong;
to Babylon; where dwelt the king, his nobles, and his mighty men: but I will make them suddenly run away from her;
as they did from her king Belshazzar, when Gobrias and Gadates entered the royal palace, and seized upon him F1; and who [is] a chosen [man, that] I may appoint over her?
or, "a young man" F2? such an one Cyrus was, who, by divine appointment, became master and governor of Babylon: and who will appoint me the time?
to enter the lists with me, and litigate the point with me in a court of judicature, or contend with me in battle: and who [is] that shepherd that will stand before me?
or king? not Belshazzar, he could not stand before the Lord: so the Targum,
``there is no king that hath strength before me;''
that is, to withstand him, or hinder what he has appointed and ordered to be done; (See Gill on Jeremiah 49:19).
FOOTNOTES:

F1 lbid.
F2 (rwxb ym) "quis juvenis?" Cocceius, Schmidt.

Jeremiah 50:44 In-Context

42 Equipped with bow and spear, they are cruel and show no mercy. Their horsemen sound like the roaring sea, arrayed in battle formation against you, Daughter Babylon.
43 The king of Babylon has heard reports of them and is panic-stricken; distress overwhelms him, pain like that of a woman in labor.
44 Like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan to a well-watered meadow, so I will suddenly chase down Babylon and single out its choicest of rams. Who is like me? Who can direct me? What shepherd can withstand me?
45 Therefore, listen to the counsel that the LORD has for Babylon and the plans he's devised against the land of Babylon: The little ones of the flock will be dragged off, as their pasture watches in utter disbelief.
46 The earth quakes at the sound of Babylon's capture; its screams echo throughout the world.

Footnotes 1

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