Jeremiah 51:8

8 Bavel has suddenly fallen. She is broken; wail for her. Bring healing ointment for her wounds; perhaps she can be healed.

Jeremiah 51:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 51:8

Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed
Or "broken" ^F7; even into shivers, as a cup is; for when it had been used to answer the purposes designed by the Lord, he let it fall cut of his hands at once, and it was broken; or rather he dashed it in pieces, as a potter's vessel. The destruction of Babylon was brought about in a very short time, considering the strength of it; and was unexpected by the inhabitants of it, and by the nations round about; but, when it was come, it was irreparable: so the destruction of mystical Babylon will be in one hour, and it will be an utter and entire destruction, ( Revelation 18:8 ) ; howl for her;
as the inhabitants of Babylon, and her friends and allies that loved her, did no doubt; and as the kings and merchants of the earth, and others, will howl for spiritual Babylon, ( Revelation 18:9-19 ) ; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed:
or balsam; see ( Jeremiah 46:11 ) ; which is said by way of derision and mockery, as Kimchi and Abarbinel observe; or in an ironical and sarcastic manner; suggesting, that, let what means soever be made use of, her wound was incurable, her ruin inevitable, and her case irrecoverable.

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 (rbvt) "confracta est", Schmidt; "fracta est", Cocceius; "contrita est", Piscator.

Jeremiah 51:8 In-Context

6 Flee from Bavel, let each one save his life! Don't perish because of her guilt. For the time has come for the vengeance of ADONAI; he will repay her what she deserves.

7 Bavel was a gold cup in the hands of ADONAI; it made the whole earth drunk - the nations drank her wine; this is why the nations have lost their senses.

8 Bavel has suddenly fallen. She is broken; wail for her. Bring healing ointment for her wounds; perhaps she can be healed.

9 "We tried to heal Bavel, but she cannot be healed. So leave her alone, and each of us will return to his own country." For the judgment against her rises to the skies and reaches even the clouds.

10 ADONAI has brought forth our victory. Come, let us proclaim in Tziyon the work of ADONAI our God!