Jeremiah 50:14-24

14 Set yourselves in array against Bavel round about, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she has sinned against the LORD.

15 Shout against her round about: she has submitted herself; her bulwarks are fallen, her walls are thrown down; for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her; as she has done, do to her.

16 Cut off the sower from Bavel, and him who handles the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn everyone to his people, and they shall flee everyone to his own land.

17 Yisra'el is a hunted sheep; the lions have driven him away: first, the king of Ashshur devoured him; and now at last Nevukhadretztzar king of Bavel has broken his bones.

18 Therefore thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Yisra'el: Behold, I will punish the king of Bavel and his land, as I have punished the king of Ashshur.

19 I will bring Yisra'el again to his pasture, and he shall feed on Karmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied on the hills of Efrayim and in Gil`ad.

20 In those days, and in that time, says the LORD, the iniquity of Yisra'el shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Yehudah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I leave as a remnant.

21 Go up against the land of Meratayim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: kill and utterly destroy after them, says the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded you.

22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.

23 How is the hammer of the whole eretz cut apart and broken! how is Bavel become a desolation among the nations!

24 I have laid a snare for you, and you are also taken, Bavel, and you weren't aware: you are found, and also caught, because you have striven against the LORD.

Jeremiah 50:14-24 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.