Jeremiah 50:21-32

21 “Attack the land of Merathaim and those who live in Pekod. Pursue, kill and completely destroy[a] them,” declares the LORD. “Do everything I have commanded you.
22 The noise of battle is in the land, the noise of great destruction!
23 How broken and shattered is the hammer of the whole earth! How desolate is Babylon among the nations!
24 I set a trap for you, Babylon, and you were caught before you knew it; you were found and captured because you opposed the LORD.
25 The LORD has opened his arsenal and brought out the weapons of his wrath, for the Sovereign LORD Almighty has work to do in the land of the Babylonians.
26 Come against her from afar. Break open her granaries; pile her up like heaps of grain. Completely destroy her and leave her no remnant.
27 Kill all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter! Woe to them! For their day has come, the time for them to be punished.
28 Listen to the fugitives and refugees from Babylon declaring in Zion how the LORD our God has taken vengeance, vengeance for his temple.
29 “Summon archers against Babylon, all those who draw the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her for her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.
30 Therefore, her young men will fall in the streets; all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,” declares the LORD.
31 “See, I am against you, you arrogant one,” declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty, “for your day has come, the time for you to be punished.
32 The arrogant one will stumble and fall and no one will help her up; I will kindle a fire in her towns that will consume all who are around her.”

Jeremiah 50:21-32 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.

Cross References 34

  • 1. Ezekiel 23:23
  • 2. Jeremiah 4:19-21; Jeremiah 51:54
  • 3. S Isaiah 10:5
  • 4. Jeremiah 51:25
  • 5. S Isaiah 14:16
  • 6. Jeremiah 51:12; Daniel 5:30-31
  • 7. Jeremiah 51:31
  • 8. Job 9:4
  • 9. S Isaiah 13:5
  • 10. Jeremiah 51:25,55
  • 11. ver 3,41; Jeremiah 51:11
  • 12. S Ruth 3:7
  • 13. S Isaiah 14:22-23
  • 14. S Psalms 68:30; Jeremiah 48:15
  • 15. S Isaiah 30:25; S Jeremiah 25:34
  • 16. S Job 18:20
  • 17. Jeremiah 51:6
  • 18. ver 8
  • 19. Isaiah 48:20; Jeremiah 51:10
  • 20. S ver 15
  • 21. 2 Kings 24:13; Jeremiah 51:11; Jeremiah 52:13
  • 22. S ver 14
  • 23. S Isaiah 13:18; Jeremiah 51:3
  • 24. S Deuteronomy 32:41; S Job 21:19; S Jeremiah 51:6; Revelation 18:6
  • 25. Jeremiah 51:56; Ezekiel 35:11; Obadiah 1:15
  • 26. S Isaiah 14:13-14; Isaiah 47:10; Daniel 5:23
  • 27. Psalms 78:41; Isaiah 41:20; Jeremiah 51:5
  • 28. S Isaiah 13:18; Jeremiah 49:26
  • 29. S Jeremiah 21:13
  • 30. S Job 18:20; Revelation 18:7-8
  • 31. S Psalms 119:21
  • 32. S Psalms 20:8
  • 33. Amos 5:2
  • 34. S Jeremiah 21:14; Jeremiah 49:27

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verse 26.
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