Jeremiah 50:32-42

32 The arrogant [nation] will stumble and fall, and no one will lift him up again. I will set his cities on fire, and it will devour everything around him."

33 Thus says ADONAI-Tzva'ot: "The people of Isra'el are oppressed, and so are the people of Y'hudah. Those who took them captive hold them fast; they refuse to let them go.

34 But their redeemer is strong; ADONAI-Tzva'ot is his name. He will thoroughly plead their cause, so that he can give rest to the land but unrest to those who live in Bavel.

35 ADONAI says, "A sword hangs over the Kasdim, and over those who live in Bavel, over her leaders and over her sages.

36 A sword hangs over the lying diviners; they will become fools. A sword hangs over her warriors; they will be disgraced.

37 A sword hangs over their horses, also over their chariots, also over the foreigners within her; they will become like women. A sword hangs over her treasures; they will be robbed.

38 A drought hangs over her waters; they will be dried up. For this is a land of idols; they go mad over these horrors of theirs.

39 "Therefore wildcats and jackals will live there, and ostriches will settle there. It will never again be peopled, it will be uninhabited age after age;

40 as when God overthrew S'dom, 'Amora and their neighboring towns," says ADONAI. "No one will settle there any more, no human being will live there again.

41 "Look! A people is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are being stirred up from the ends of the earth.

42 They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel, without compassion; their sound is like the roaring sea, as they ride forth on horses. Their men take their battle positions against you, daughter of Bavel.

Jeremiah 50:32-42 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.