Jeremiah 50 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments
  • Jeremiah 50:1-46 open_in_new

    The Fall of Babylon and the Restoration of Israel

    The prophecy concerning Babylon is ascribed to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 51:59. This, however, need not mean more than that it represents the tone of Jeremiah's utterances as expanded by a follower, e.g. Baruch, at a later date. The reasons for doubting Jeremiah's authorship aro: (a) he elsewhere speaks in friendly terms of the Chaldeans; here their overthrow is predicted; (b) the style and words betray another writer; (c) the knowledge displayed of Babylonian matters is greater than could be expected of the prophet; (d) the Jews are in exile far away from Jerusalem (Jeremiah 50:4; Jeremiah 50:6; Jeremiah 50:17; Jeremiah 50:33) The prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon was taken by Cyrus or his general Gobryas (perhaps the Darius of Daniel) in 539 b.c., nearly 50 years after the fall of Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 50:2 open_in_new

    A standard] as the speediest way of calling attention to the news. Merodach] another name for Bel (Baal), the tutelary God of Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 50:15 open_in_new

    Given her hand] RV 'submitted herself,' surrendered. Foundalions] RV 'bulwarks.' Her walls are thrown down] not done by Cyrus, but (according to Herod, iii. 159) at the later capture by Darius.

  • Jeremiah 50:16 open_in_new

    They shall turn, etc.] The captives of other nations as well as of the Jews shall be released.

    17-32. Babylon and her empire are doomed, while Israel shall be forgiven.

  • Jeremiah 50:17 open_in_new

    The lions] The sculptured winged lions (Assyrian and Babylonian) give the image a special point. Assyria had devoured the Ten Tribes, and now Babylon was crushing the feeble remnant of the people. Assyria had paid the penalty; so too shall Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 50:21 open_in_new

    Merathaim.. Pekod] Proper names bearing the significant senses of 'double-rebellion' and 'visitation,' alluding to Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 50:23 open_in_new

    Hammer] Babylon: cp. Jeremiah 51:20. Individuals at other times have borne this title; Judas Maccabæus for his victories over Syria; Charles Martel, grandfather of Charles the Great (Charlemagne), who conquered the Saracens in a decisive battle at Tours, 732a.d., and Edward I of England, on whose tomb at Westminster Abbey are the words, 'Scotorum Malleus,' or 'hammer of the Scots.'

  • Jeremiah 50:34 open_in_new

    Redeemer] Heb. Goel, the near kinsman, to whom belonged the duty of avenging a murder. So the Lord is about to avenge His people.

  • Jeremiah 50:38 open_in_new

    Her waters] the many canals which drained and irrigated the country around Babylon: cp. Jeremiah 51:13.

    Idols] Heb. 'terrors,' meaning their grotesque forms, such as winged bulls and humanheaded lions.