Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 50

Verse 1

The Fiftieth Prophecy of Jeremiah (see book comments for Jeremiah).

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

and. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this "and" in the text.

by. Hebrew idiom = by the hand of; "hand" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the instrumentality or agency, especially in the inspiration of the written words. See note on Zechariah 7:12 .

Verse 2

publish . . . conceal not. Not now using symbols as in Jeremiah 25:15 .

set up = lift up.

Babylon is taken. Compare Revelation 14:8 ; Revelation 18:6 , Revelation 18:10 , Revelation 18:21 : showing that this prophecy is still future.

Bel. Contracted from the Aramaic form of Ba'al , the national god of Babylon. See Isaiah 46:1 .

Merodaoh. Another name for Bel (= Baal), Babylon ' s god.

images = manufactured gods. Compare Leviticus 26:30 .

Verse 3

the north. Referring to Medo-Persia, which was on the northwest of Chaldea. But a future enemy is foretold.

none shall dwell therein. Showing that the fulfilment is still future.

Verse 4

In those days. This prophecy awaits its fulfilment. The conquest by Medo-Persia did not exhaust it.

children = sons.

together. Another proof that this prophecy refers to the future. Never yet fulfilled.

going and weeping. Hebrew = weeping as they travel, so shall they journey on.

weeping. For their past sins. Compare Jeremiah 31:9 , Jeremiah 31:18 . Joel 2:12 .Zechariah 12:10-14 .Revelation 1:7 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. (with ' eth). App-4 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 5

thitherward. Hebrew = hitherward. Jeremiah was therefore not in Babylon, but in Egypt.

perpetual. Another evidence that this prophecy refers to the future covenant. Compare Jeremiah 3:18 Jeremiah 4:2 ; Jeremiah 11:1-6 ; Jeremiah 31:31 .

Verse 6

lost sheep. Compare Matthew 10:6 ; Matthew 15:24 .

shepherds: i.e. rulers.

they have turned them away on the mountains = on the mountains they seduced them: i.e. by the idolatrous worship practiced there.

Verse 7

We offend not, &c. Compare verses: Jeremiah 50:15 , Jeremiah 50:23 , Jeremiah 50:29 ; Jeremiah 2:3 ; Jeremiah 25:14 , Jeremiah 25:15 , &c.

offend. Hebrew. 'asham. App-44 .

sinned. Hebrew. chata.

Habitation = pasturage. Compare Jeremiah 31:23 .

justice = righteousness. In Ch. Jeremiah 31:23 this is applied to Jerusalem. Here Jehovah Himself is the pasturage in which His People find rest.

the Hope of their fathers. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , by which "hope" is put for the God in Whom their fathers hoped. Compare 1 Timothy 1:1 .

Verse 8

go forth. Hebrew text reads "they will go forth"; but margin, with some codices and two early printed editions, reads "go ye forth". Compare Jeremiah 51:4 , Jeremiah 51:6 . Revelation 18:4 .

Verse 9

assembly = a gathered host, or convocation. great nations. Compare Isaiah 13:3 , Isaiah 13:4 .

mighty . . . man. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

expert = successful. Compare Jeremiah 10:21 ; Jeremiah 23:5 .

Verse 10

shall be satisfied. Compare Jeremiah 49:9 .

Verse 11

destroyers = spoilers, or plunderers.

Verse 12

the hindermost = the last. Compare Jeremiah 50:17 ; Jeremiah 25:26 .

Verse 13

not be inhabited. Not yet fulfilled. Compare 1 Peter 5:13 .

Verse 15

given her hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for what is done by it. Here the token of submission. Compare Lamentations 5:6 . Ezekiel 17:18 .

as = according as. Compare Revelation 18:6 , Revelation 18:7 .

Verse 16

every one. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 17

Israel. Now a united nation. See note on Jeremiah 50:4 .

last. See note on "hindermost", Jeremiah 50:12 .

Verse 18

the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 7:3 .

Verse 19

mount = the hill country of.

Verse 21

Merathaim = double rebellion. So called, here, because the empire was founded in a double rebellion.

Pekod = Visitation: i.e. in judgment.

destroy = devote to extermination. Hebrew. karam. The same word as Jeremiah 50:26 ; not the same as verses: Jeremiah 50:11 , Jeremiah 50:22 .

Verse 22

destruction = smash; or, breaking down. Hebrew. shabar. Not the same word as in verses: Jeremiah 50:11 , Jeremiah 50:21 , Jeremiah 50:26 .

Verse 25

His armoury. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

Verse 26

from the utmost border = from the farthest parts, or every quarter.

Verse 27

visitation. See note on "Pekod", Jeremiah 50:21 .

Verse 28

vengeance = avenging. Son 51:11 . Compare Daniel 5:3 .

Verse 29

recompense her. See Revelation 18:6 .

according to. See note on "as", Jeremiah 50:15 . Compare Revelation 18:6 .

the Holy One of Israel. See note on Psalms 71:22 .

Verse 34

Redeemer = Kinsman-Redeemer. Hebrew. ga'al. See notes on Isaiah 60:16 , and Exodus 6:6 .

strong = strong (to hold fast). Hebrew. hazak. Not the same word as in Jeremiah 50:44 .

Verse 35

A sword. Note the Figure of speech Anaphora, in five successive sentences.

Verse 36

liars = praters.

dote = be shown to be foolish.

Verse 37

the mingled people = the rabble.

Verse 38

idols = horrors.

Verse 39

no more inhabited, &c. Therefore the fulfilment still future.

Verse 40

overthrew, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 19:25 ). App-92 . Compare Jeremiah 49:18 .

man. Hebrew ' Ish . App-14 .

Verse 41

a great nation: i.e. Medo-Persia.

coasts = sides: i.e. remote parts.

Verse 43

his hands, &c. See fulfilment in Daniel 5:6 .

Verse 44

like a lion, &c. See note on Jeremiah 49:19 for this verse and Jeremiah 50:45 , there spoken of Edom.

Verse 45

taken = counselled.

land. Some codices, with three early printed editions and Aramaean, read "inhabitants of the land".