Jeremiah 50:33-43

33 This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: "The people of Israel and Judah are slaves. The enemy took them as prisoners and won't let them go.

34 But God is strong and will buy them back. His name is the Lord All-Powerful. He will surely defend them with power so he can give rest to their land. But he will not give rest to those living in Babylon."

35 The Lord says, "Let a sword kill the people living in Babylon and her officers and wise men!

36 Let a sword kill her false prophets, and they will become fools. Let a sword kill her warriors, and they will be full of terror.

37 Let a sword kill her horses and chariots and all the soldiers hired from other countries! Then they will be like frightened women. Let a sword attack her treasures, so they will be taken away.

38 Let a sword attack her waters so they will be dried up. She is a land of idols, and the people go crazy with fear over them.

39 "Desert animals and hyenas will live there, and owls will live there, but no people will ever live there again. She will never be filled with people again.

40 God completely destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and the towns around them," says the Lord. "In the same way no people will live in Babylon, and no human being will stay there.

41 "Look! An army is coming from the north. A powerful nation and many kings are coming together from all around the world.

42 Their armies have bows and spears. The soldiers are cruel and have no mercy. As the soldiers come riding on their horses, the sound is loud like the roaring sea. They stand in their places, ready for battle. They are ready to attack you, city of Babylon.

43 The king of Babylon heard about those armies, and he became helpless with fear. Distress has gripped him. His pain is like that of a woman giving birth to a baby.

Jeremiah 50:33-43 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.