Jeremiah 50:30-40

30 That is why their young men will die in the streets, and all their soldiers will be silenced that day," declares the LORD.

31 "I'm against you, you arrogant city," declares the Almighty LORD of Armies. "Your day has come, the time when I will punish you.

32 Those arrogant people will stumble and fall, and there will be no one to help them get up. I will light a fire in their cities that will burn up everything around them."

33 This is what the LORD of Armies says: All the people of Israel and Judah are oppressed. All their enemies have captured them. They refuse to let them go.

34 Their defender is strong. His name is the LORD of Armies. He will certainly take up their cause in order to bring rest to the land of Israel and unrest to the people who live in Babylon.

35 "A sword will kill the Babylonians and everyone who lives in Babylon," declares the LORD. "A sword will kill their officials and their wise men.

36 A sword will kill the false prophets. They will become fools. A sword will kill their soldiers and defeat them.

37 A sword will kill their horses, their chariots, and all the foreigners within their ranks. They will become women. A sword will destroy their treasures, and they will be looted.

38 A drought will diminish their water supply, and it will dry up. Babylon is a land of idols, statues that will go crazy with fear.

39 That is why desert animals will live with hyenas. Desert owls will also live there. It will no longer be inhabited or lived in for generations.

40 Babylon will be like Sodom, Gomorrah, and their neighboring cities when I, God, destroyed them. No one will live there. No human will stay there," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 50:30-40 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.