Jeremiah 50 Study Notes

50:21 Babylon’s enemies are to attack Merathaim and those living in Pekod. Merathaim was probably the district of Marratim at the head of the Persian Gulf. Pekod was probably puqudu, a people of eastern Babylonia. The phrase completely destroy them translates the Hebrew word cherem (“to place under the ban” and “to render to God as an involuntary offering”). Several cities in the book of Joshua were designated for total destruction (Dt 20:17; Jos 6:21; 10:1).

Taphas concerns forceful taking hold by the hands (Dt 9:17). It means seize (Is 3:6), grab (Gn 39:12), or grasp (Ezk 29:7). Individuals wield sickles (Jr 50:16) or brandish swords (Ezk 38:4). People arrest (1Kg 13:4), apprehend (Jr 37:13), or catch (Ps 71:11) individuals. Armies capture (Dt 20:19) or take (Jos 8:8) cities. Cities occupy summits (Jr 49:16). God takes hold of Israelite hearts (Ezk 14:5). People profane God’s name (Pr 30:9). Taphas describes ability. People are able to handle shields and bows (Jr 46:9). Sailors are oarsmen (Ezk 27:29). People play lyres and flutes (Gn 4:21). Archer can be literally “one handling the bow” (Am 2:15). Priests were experts in the law (Jr 2:8). Troops going out to war is literally “those who take hold of war” (Nm 31:27). The passive participle depicts plated idols (Hab 2:19). Passive-reflexive verbs indicate being caught, captured, or conquered (Jr 50:46).

50:22-24 Babylon is called the hammer of the whole earth; Persia is referred to with similar imagery (51:20). Babylon had set traps and hunted nations. Now she would be trapped.

50:25 Babylon’s downfall will be the work of the Lord. He has opened his armory and unleashed his weapons of wrath. This is precisely what the Persian conqueror did (Is 44:28-45:1).

50:26-27 Survivors is a term that also means “remnant” (see v. 20). Young bulls probably refers to warriors.

50:28 God’s vengeance is mentioned again (see note at vv. 14-15).

50:29-32 The archers are urged to press the attack against Babylon because of the nation’s insolence, defiance, and arrogance against the Holy One of Israel (Is 1:4; 5:19,24).

50:33-34 All Israel is in view in these verses. The nation is portrayed as waiting for its release. The Lord, who had redeemed (Hb ga’al, Ex 6:6; 15:13) in the past, would be their Redeemer (Hb go’el) again. He would bring rest to the earth.

50:35-38 Babylon’s enemies are depicted as God’s sword that hangs heavy over Babylon’s officials . . . her sages . . . her heroic warriors, their horses and chariots, and her treasuries. The terrifying things (Hb ’emim) is a contemptuous way of referring to Babylon’s gods.

50:39 Desert creatures will inhabit deserted Babylon. John Bright tries to preserve the Hebrew assonance of siyyim and ‘iyyim by rendering them as “goblins and ghouls.” Sometimes these creatures seem to be like animals and at other times like demons and evil spirits that were said to infest deserted areas.

50:40 Babylon’s destruction will be as severe and as permanent as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (49:18; Gn 19:24-25; Is 13:19).

50:41-43 These verses repeat 6:22-24 with only a few minor variations. Previously addressed to Judah, they are now directed to Babylon.

50:44-46 These verses repeat with some minor changes the condemnation of Edom (49:19-21). Perhaps the repetition is based on the similarity of sins between Babylon and Edom.

50:44 The earthly rulers are asked, Who is the shepherd who can stand against me? No one can resist God or overthrow his purposes.