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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.
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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.
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Jeremiah 50:3 open_in_new
Out of the north] referring to the Medo-Persian power. Media was NW. of Babylon.
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Jeremiah 50:4 open_in_new
The overthrow of their captors shall free the Jews.
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Jeremiah 50:5 open_in_new
Thitherward] RM 'Heb. hitherward.'
8-16. The triumph of Babylon over Israel shall be avenged.
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Jeremiah 50:8 open_in_new
As the he goats] in joyful alacrity.
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Jeremiah 50:9 open_in_new
An assembly of great nations] see for some of them Jeremiah 51:27. Herodotus (vii. 61f.) says there were twenty-two.
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Jeremiah 50:11 open_in_new
It is for exulting over Israel that Chaldea suffers. At grass] RV 'that treadeth out the corn.' The command in Deuteronomy 25:4 would have this effect.
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Jeremiah 50:12 open_in_new
The hindermost, etc.] RV 'She (Babylon) shall be the hindermost,' etc.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Jeremiah 50:20 open_in_new
Reserve] RV 'leave as a remnant.'
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Jeremiah 50:21 open_in_new
Merathaim.. Pekod] Proper names bearing the significant senses of 'double-rebellion' and 'visitation,' alluding to Babylon.
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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.'
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Jeremiah 50:27 open_in_new
Bullocks] i.e. her choice young warriors: cp. Jeremiah 48:15.
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Jeremiah 50:28 open_in_new
The vengeance of his temple] the requital for having burnt it: cp. Jeremiah 51:11.
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Jeremiah 50:29 open_in_new
The Holy One of Israel] cp. Jeremiah 51:5, not elsewhere in this book, but characteristic of Isaiah.
33-40. Babylon shall be utterly laid waste.
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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.
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Jeremiah 50:36 open_in_new
Liars] rather, 'boasters.'
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Jeremiah 50:37 open_in_new
Mingled people] see on Jeremiah 25:20.
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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.
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Jeremiah 50:39 open_in_new
The wild beasts of the islands] RV 'the wolves,' Heb. 'howling creatures.' Owls] RY 'ostriches.'
41-46. The enemy approaches and fulfils God's behests.
41-43. See on Jeremiah 6:22.
44-46. Adapted from Jeremiah 49:19-21.