Prophecy against Babylon.

JEREMIAH, L.

Prophecy against Babylon. belongs to gospel times. Elamites were among the hope), as each country was thought to have its local god, first who heard and accepted it (Acts, 2. 9.).

CHAPTER L.

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whose power extended no farther. habitation-(Psalm 90. 1; 91. 1.). Alluding to the tabernacle; or, as in Ver. 1-46. BABYLON'S COMING DOWNFALL: ISRAEL'S Ezekiel, 34. 14, fold, which carries out the image in v. REDEMPTION. After the predictions of judgment to 6."resting-place" of the "sheep." But it can only mean be inflicted on other nations by Babylon, follows this habitation (ch. 31. 23,), which confirms English Version one against Babylon itself, the longest prophecy, con- here. hope of their fathers-This especially condemned sisting of 100 verses. The date of its utterance was the Jews that their apostasy was from that God whose the fourth year of Zedekiah, when Seraiah, to whom faithfulness their fathers had experienced. At the it was committed, was sent to Babylon (ch. 51. 59, 60.). same time these "adversaries' unconsciously use The repetitions in it make it likely that it consists language which corrects their own notions. The of prophecies uttered at different times, now collected covenant with the Jews' "fathers" is not utterly set by Jeremiah to console the Jews in exile, and to aside by their sin, as their adversaries thought; there vindicate God's ways by exhibiting the final doom of is still "a habitation" or refuge for them with the Babylon, the enemy of the people of God, after her God of their fathers. 8. (Ch. 51. 6, 45; Isaiah, 48. 20; long prosperity. The style, imagery, and dialogues, Zechariah, 2.6, 7; Revelation, 18. 4.). Immediately prove its genuineness in opposition to those who deny avail yourselves of the opportunity of escape. be as... this. It shows his faithfulness; though under obligation he-goats before... flocks-let each try to be foremost to the king of Babylon he owed a higher one to God in returning, animating the weak, as he-goats lead the who directed him to prophesy against Babylon. 1. Cf. flock; such were the companions of Ezra (Ezra, 1. 5, Isaiah, 45.; 46.; 47. But as the time of fulfilment drew 6.). 9. from thence i.e., from the North country. nearer, the prophecies are now proportionally more expert - lit., prosperous. Besides "might," "expertdistinct than then. 2. Declare... among... nations-ness" is needed, that an arrow may do execution. The who would rejoice at the fall of Babylon their op- Margin has a different Hebrew reading: destroying. pressor. standard-to indicate the place of meeting to lit., bereaving, childless-making (ch. 15, 7.). LXX. and the nations where they were to hear the good news of Syriac support English Version. in vain-without killBabylon's fall [ROSENMULLER]; or, the signal to sum-ing him at whom it was aimed (2 Samuel, 1. 22.). 11. mon the nations together against Babylon (ch. 51. 12, (Isaiah, 47. 6.). grown fat-and so, skip wantonly. at 27.). [MAURER.] Bel- the tutelary god of Babylon: grass-fat and frisky. But there is a disagreement of the same idol as the Phoenician Baal, i.e., lord, the gender in Hebrew reading thus. The Keri reading is sun (Isaiah, 46. 1.). confounded-because unable to de- better: "a heifer threshing" the strongest were used fend the city under their protection. Merodach for threshing, and as the law did not allow their mouth another Babylonian idol: meaning in Syria little lord: to be muzzled in threshing (Deuteronomy, 25. 4,), they from which Merodach-baladan took his name. 3. a waxed wanton with eating. bellow as bulls- rather, nation-the Medes, North of Babylon (ch. 51. 48.). The "neigh as steeds," lit., "strong ones," a poetical expresdevastation of Babylon here foretold includes not only sion for steeds (Note, ch. 8. 16.). [MAURER.] 12. Your that by Cyrus, but also that more utter one by Darius, mother-Babylon, the metropolis of the empire. hinderwho took Babylon by artifice when it had revolted from most-marvellous change, that Babylon, once the queen Persia, and mercilessly slaughtered the inhabitants, of the world, should be now the hindermost of nations, hanging 4000 of the nobles; also the final desertion of and at last, becoming "a desert," cease to be a nation ! Babylon owing to Seleucia having been built close by 13. (Isaiah, 13, 20.). 14. Summons to the Median army under Seleucus Nicator. 4. Fulfilled only in part to attack Babylon. against... Lord-by oppressing His when some few of the ten tribes of "Israel" joined people; their cause is His cause. Also by profaning Judah in a "covenant" with God, at the restoration His sacred vessels Daniel, 5. 2.). 15. Shout-Inspirit of Judah to its land (Nehemiah, 9. 38; 10. 29.). The full one another to the onset with the battle-cry. given event is yet to come (ch. 31. 9; Hosea, 1. 11; Zechariah, 12. 10.). weeping-with joy at their restoration beyond all hope; and with sorrow at the remembrance of their sins and sufferings (Ezra, 3. 12, 13; Psalm 126. 5, 6.). seek... Lord-(Hosea, 3. 5.). 5. thitherward - rather, hitherward, Jeremiah's prophetical standpoint being at Zion. "Faces hitherward" implies their stedfastness of purpose not to be turned aside by any difficulties on the way. perpetual covenant-in contrast to the old covenant which they brake" (ch. 31. 31, &c.; 32. 40.). They shall return to their God first, then to their own land. 6. (Isaiah, 53. 6.). on the mountains - whereon they sacrificed to idols (ch. 2. 20; 3. 6, 23.). resting-place -for the "sheep;" continuing the image; Jehovah is the resting-place of His sheep (Matthew, 11. 28.). They rest in His "bosom" (Isaiah, 40. 11.). Also His temple at Zion, their "rest," because it is His (Psalm 132. 8, 14.). 7. devoured-(Psalm 79.7.). "Found them" implies that they were exposed to the attacks of those whoever happened to meet them. adversaries said-for instance, Nebuzar-adan (ch. 40. 2, 3; cf. Zechariah, 11. 5.). The Gentiles acknowledged some supreme divinity. The Jews' guilt was so palpable that they were condemned even in the judgment of heathens. Some knowledge of God's peculiar relation to Judea reached its heathen invaders from the prophets (ch. 2. 3; Daniel, 9. 16); hence the strong language they use of Jehovah here, not as worshippers of Him themselves, but as believing Him to be the tutelary God of Judah ("the hope of their fathers," Psalm 22. 4: they do not say our

as

hand-an idiom for, submitted to the conquerors (1 Chronicles, 29. 24, Margin; Lamentations, 5. 6.). she hath done, do unto her just retribution in kind. She had destroyed many, so must she be destroyed (Psalm 137. 8.). So as to spiritual Babylon (Revelation, 18. 6.). This is right, because "it is the vengeance of the Lord;" but this will not justify private revenge in kind (Matthew, 5. 44; Romans, 12. 19-21;); even the Old Testament law forbade this, though breathing a sterner spirit than the New Testament (Exodus, 23. 4, 5; Proverbs, 25. 21, 22.). 16. Babylon had the extent rather of a nation than of a city. Therefore grain was grown within the city wall sufficient to last for a long siege (ARISTOTLE, Pol. 3. 2; PLINY, 18. 17.). Conquerors usually spare agriculturists, but in this case all alike were to be "cut off." for fear of...oppressing sword because of the sword of the oppressor. every one to his people-from which they had been removed to Babylon from all quarters by the Chaldean conquerors (ch. 61. 9; Isaiah, 13. 14.). 17. lions-hostile kings (ch. 4. 7; 49. 19.). Assyria (2 Kings, 17. 6, Shalmaneser; Ezra, 4. 2, Esar-haddon.). Nebuchadnezzar - (2 Kings, 24. 10, 14.). 18. punish... king of Babylon - Nabonidus, or Labynitus. as... punished

Assyrian-Sennacherib and other kings (GROTIUS] (2 Kings, 19. 37.). 19. (Isaiah, 65. 10; Ezekiel, 34. 13, 14.). 20.The specification of "Israel," as well as Judah, shows the reference is to times yet to come. iniquity

none-not merely idolatry which ceased among the Jews ever since the Babylonian captivity, but chiefly

Prophecy against Babylon.

JEREMIAH, LI.

Prophecy against Babylon. their rejection of Messiah. As in a cancelled debt, it | his own everlasting love, reconciling mercy and justice shall be as if it had never been; God, for Christ's sake, in the Redeemer's work and person (Micah, 7. 9; shall treat them as innocent (ch. 31. 34.). Without Zechariah, 3. 1-5; 1 John, 2. 1.). give rest ... disquiet cleansing away of sin, remission of punishment would -There is a play on the similarity of sounds in the be neither to the honour of God, nor to the highest two Hebrew verbs, to express more vividly the contrast: interests of the elect. whom I reserve-the elect "rem- "that He may give quiet to the land of Judah (herenant" (Isaiah, 1. 9.). The "residue" (Zechariah, 14. tofore disquieted by Babylon); but disquiet to the 2; 13. 8, 9.). 21. Merathaim - a symbolical name for inhabitants of Babylon (heretofore quietly secure Babylon, the doubly rebellious, viz., against God. Cf. v. (Isaiah, 14. 6-8.). 35-37. The repetition of "A sword" 24, thou hast striven against the Lord;" and v. 29, in the beginning of each verse, by the figure anaphors, proud against the Lord." The "doubly" refers to, heightens the effect; the reiterated judgment is unifirst, the Assyrian's oppression of Israel, next, the versal; the same sad stroke of the sword is upon kindred Chaldean's oppression of Judah (cf. v. 17-20, each and all connected with guilty Babylon. wis 33; especially v. 18.). Pekod-(Ezekiel, 23. 23;); a chief men- Isaiah, 47. 13.). Babylon boasted that it was the province of Assyria in which Nineveh, now overthrown, peculiar seat of wisdom and wise men, especially in once lay. But, as in Merathaim, the allusion is to the astronomy and astrology. 36. liars- those whom meaning of Pekod, viz., visitation; the inhabitants he before termed "wise men," he here calls "liars" whose time of deserved visitation in punishment is (impostors), viz., the astrologers (cf. Isaiah, 44.5; come; not, however, without reference to the now Romans, 1. 21-25; 1 Corinthians, 1. 20.). 37. as won!! Babylonian province, Pekod. The visitation on Baby--divested of all manliness (Nahum, 3. 13.). 38. drought lon was a following up of that on Assyria. after them -Altering the pointing, this verse will begin as the -even their posterity, and all that is still left of Baby- three previous verses, "A sword." However, all the lon, until the very name is extinct. [GROTIUS.] pointed MSS. read, "A drought," as English Version. Devastate the city, after its inhabitants have deserted Cyrus turned off the waters of the Euphrates intes it. all...I... commanded-by Isaiah (Isaiah, 13. 1, new channel, and so marched through the dried-up bed &c.). 23. hammer-i.e., Babylon, so called because of into the city (ch. 51. 32.). Babylonia once was famel its ponderous destructive power; just as" Martel," i.e., | for its corn, which often yielded from one to two hur a little hammer, was the surname of a king of the dred-fold. [HERODOTUS.] This was due to its ne Franks (Isaiah, 14. 6.). 24. I-Thou hast to do with God, work of water courses from the Euphrates for irriga not merely with men. taken... not awaretion, traces of which [LAYARD] are seen still on HERODOTUS relates that one half of the city was taken, sides, but dry and barren (Isaiah, 44. 27.). their idolbefore those in the other were "aware" of it. Cyrus lit., terrors. They are mad after idols that are mon turned the waters of Euphrates where it was defended calculated to frighten than to attract (ch. 51. 44, 47, into a different channel, and so entered the city by the Daniel, 3. 1.). Mere bug-bears to frighten children dried-up channel at night, by the upper and lower gates with. 39. wild beasts of the desert-wild cats, remark (Daniel, 6. 50, 31.). 25. weapons of his indignation-the able for their howl. [BOCHART.] wild beasts of the Medes and Persians (Isaiali, 13. 5.). 26. from the utmost islands-jackals (Note, Isaiah, 13. 21.). owls-rather, border-viz., of the earth. Or, from all sides. [LUDO- female ostriches; they delight in solitary places. Lat VICUS DE DIEU.] storehouses-or, "her houses filled daughters of crying. Cf. as to spiritual Babylon, Reve with men and goods." [MICHAELIS.] When Cyrus lation, 18. 2. no more inhabited for ever- the accum took it, the provisions found there were enough to have lation of phrases is to express the final and utter ex lasted for many years. as heaps make of the once tinction of Babylon; fulfilled not immediately, be glorious city heaps of ruins. Vast mounds of rubbish by degrees: Cyrus took away its supremacy. Darius now mark the site of ancient Babylon. "Tread her Hystaspes deprived it, when it had rebelled, of its fort as heaps of corn which are wont to be trodden down fications. Seleucus Nicanor removed its citizens and in the threshing floor. [GROTIUS.] 27. bullocks- wealth to Seleucia, which he founded in the neighbouri.e., princes and strong warriors (ch. 46. 21; Psalm 22. hood; and the Parthians removed all that was left t 12; Isaiah, 34. 7.). go down to... slaughter-the Ctesiphon. Nothing but its walls was left under the slaughter-houses lay low beside the river; therefore it Roman emperor Adrian. 40. Isaiah, 13. 19.). Repeated is said, "go down" appropriate to Babylon on the from ch. 49. 18. 41-43. (Cf. ch. 6. 22-24.). The very Euphrates, the avenue through which the slaughterers language used to describe the calamities which Babyentered the city. 28. declare in Zion... temple-Some lon inflicted on Zion is that here employed to descrite Jews fleeing" from Babylon at its fall shall tell in Babylon's own calamity inflicted by the Medes. E Judea how God avenged the cause of Zion and her tribution in kind. kings - the allies and satraps of the temple that had been profaned (ch. 52. 13; Daniel, 1. various provinces of the Medo-Persian empire 2; 5. 2.). 29. archers-lit., very many and powerful; Armenia, Hyrcania, Lydia, &c. coasts-the remote hence the Hebrew word is used of archers (Job, 16. 13) parts. 42. cruel-the character of the Persians, and from the multitude and force of their arrows. accord- even of Cyrus, notwithstanding his wish to be thought ing to all that she hath done-(Note, v. 15.). proud against magnanimous (Isaiah, 13. 18.). like a man-so orderly the Lord-not merely cruel towards men (Isaiah.47. 10.). and united is their "array." that the whole army move 30. (Note, ch. 49. 26.). in the streets-the Babylonians to battle as one man. (GROTIUS.] 43. hands waxed were so discouraged by having lost some battles, that feeble-attempted no resistance; immediately was overthey retired within their walls and would not again come, as HERODOTUS tells us. 44-46. Repeated maint meet Cyrus in the field. 31. most proud-lit., pride, i.e., from ch. 49. 19-21. The identity of God's principle in man of pride: the king of Babylon. visit-punish (v. His dealing with Edom, and in that with Babylon, is 27.). 33. Israel and... Judah were oppressed-He an- implied by the similarity of language as to both. 46. ticipates an objection, in order to answer it: Ye cry... among the nations-In Edom's case it is, "at the have been, no doubt. "'oppressed," therefore ye despair cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.” The of deliverance; but, remember your "Redeemer is change implies the wider extent to which the crash strong." and therefore can and will deliver you. 34. of Babylon's downfall shall be heard. strong-as opposed to the power of Israel's oppressor (Revelation, 18.8.). plead... cause-as their advocate. Image from a court of justice: appropriate, as God delivers His people not by mere might, but by righteousmess. His plea against Satan and all their enemies is

CHAPTER LI.

Ver. 1-64. CONTINUATION OF THE PROPHET AGAINST BABYLON BEGUN IN CHAP. L. 1. in the midst of them that rise... against me-lit., in the heart of them, &c. Cf. Psalm 46, 2, "the midst of the sea"

Prophecy against Babylon.

JEREMIAH, LL

Margin," the heart of the seas," Ezekiel, 27. 4, Margin; | Make what preparations you will, all will be in vain Matthew, 12. 40. In the centre of the Chaldeans. (cf. ch. 46. 3-6.). kings of... Medes-He names the Medes Prophecy against Babylon. Against me," because they persecute my people. rather than the Persians, because Darius, or Cyaxares, The cabalistic mode of interpreting Hebrew words (by was above Cyrus in power and the greatness of his taking the letters in the inverse order of the alphabet, kingdom. temple (ch. 50. 28.). 12. With all your the last letter representing the first, and so on, ch. 25. efforts, your city shall be taken. standard-to sum26) would give the very word Chaldeans here; but the mon the defenders together to any point threatened by mystical method cannot be intended, as "Babylon" is the besiegers. 13.waters-(v. 32, 36; Note, Isaiah, 21. 1.). plainly so called in the immediately preceding parallel The Euphrates surrounded the city, and being divided clause. wind-God needs not warlike weapons to into many channels formed islands. Cf. as to spiritual "destroy" His foes; a wind or blast is sufficient; though, Babylon "waters," i.e., "many peoples," Revelation, no doubt, the "wind" here is the invading host of 17. 1, 15. A large lake also was near Babylon. measure Medes and Persians (ch. 4. 11; 2 Kings, 19. 7.). 2.-lit., cubit, which was the most common measure, fanners-- (Note, ch. 15. 7.). The fanners separate the and therefore is used for a measure in general. The wheat from the chaff; so God's judgments shall sweep time for putting a limit to thy covetousness. [GESEaway guilty Babylon as chaff (Psalm 1. 4.). 3. Against NIUR.] There is no "and" in the Hebrew: translate, him that bendeth - viz., the bow, i.c., the Babylonian "thine end, the retribution for thy covetousness." archer. let the archer bend-i.e., the Persian archer (ch. [GROTIUS.] MAURER takes the image to be from 50. 14.). The Chaldean version and JEROME, by chang- weaving: "the cubit where thou art to be cut off," for ing the vowel points, read, "Let not him (the Babylo- the web is cut off, when the required number of cubits nian) who bendeth his bow bend it." But the close of is completed (Isaiah, 38. 12.). the verse is addressed to the Median invaders, there- His soul (2 Samuel, 15. 21; Hebrews, 6. 13.). fill... fore it is more likely that the first part of the verse is with caterpillars-locusts (Nahum, 3. 15.). Numerous addressed to them, as in English Version, not to the as are the citizens of Babylon, the invaders shall be 14. by himself-lit., by Babylonians, to warn them against resistance as vain, more numerous. as in the Chaldean version. repeated: "Against him that bendeth let him that which ought, therefore, to be translated, "He is the The word bend is thrice except that "Israel" is not in the Hebrew of v. 19, bendeth bend," to imply the utmost straining of the Former of all things, and (therefore) of the rod of His 15-19. Repeated from ch. 10. 12-16; bow. 4. (Notes, ch. 49. 26; 50. 30, 37.). as a widow (Hebrew). Israel is not severed from her In ch. 10. the contrast is between the idols and God; 5. forsaken- inheritance" (i.e., of the nation peculiarly His own). husband, Jehovah (Isaiah, 54. 5-7,), by a perpetual here it is between the power of populous Babylon divorce. though... sin- though the land of Israel and that of God: "Thou dwellest upon many waters" has been filled with sin, i.e., with the punishment of (v. 13); but God can, by merely "uttering His voice," their sin, devastation. But, as the Hebrew means for, create "many waters" (v. 16.). The "earth" (in its or and therefore, not though, translate," and therefore material aspect) is the result of His "power" the their (the Chaldeans') land has been filled with (the "world" (viewed in its orderly system) is the result of penal consequences of their sin." [GROTIUS.] 6. His "wisdom," &c. (v. 15.). Such an Almighty Being Warning to the Israelite captives to flee from Baby- can be at no loss for resources to effect His purpose lon, lest they should be involved in the punishment against Babylon. 20. (Note, ch. 50. 23.). "Break in of her "iniquity." So as to spiritual Babylon and her pieces" refers to the "hammer" there (cf. Nahum, 2.1, captives (Revelation, 18. 4.). 7. Babylon is compared Margin.). The club also was often used by ancient to a cup, because she was the vessel in the hand of warriors. 22. old and young-(2 Chronicles, 36. 17.). 24. God, to make drunken with His vengeance the other The detail of particulars (v. 20-23) is in order to express peoples (ch. 13. 12; 25, 15, 16.). Cf. as to spiritual Baby- the indiscriminate slaughters perpetrated by Babylon lon, Revelation, 14. 8; 17. 4. "golden," to express the splendour and opulence of herself (ch. 50. 15, 29.). The cup is termed on Zion, which, in just retribution, are all to befall Babylon; whence also in the image seen by Nebuchad- the Jews. nezzar (Daniel, 2. 38) the head representing Babylon is from its position, for it lay low (v. 13; Genesis, 11. 2, 9), of gold (cf. Isaiah, 14. 4.). 8, 9. Her friends and con- but from its eminence above other nations, many of in your sight-addressed to 25. destroying mountain-called so, not federates, who behold her fall, are invited to her aid. which it had "destroyed;" also, because of its lofty They reply, her case is incurable, and that they must palaces, towers, hanging gardens resting on arches, leave her to her fate. 8. (Isaiah, 21. 9; Revelation, 14. and walls, fifty royal cubits broad and two hundred 8; 18. 2, 9.). balm (ch. 8. 22; 46. 11.). 9. We would high. roll thee down from the rocks-i.e., from thy rockhave healed-We attempted to heal. her judgment-like fortifications and walls. burnt mountain-(Revelaher crimes provoking God's "judgments." [GROTIUS.] tion, 8. 8.). A volcano, which, after having spent itself reacheth unto heaven-(Genesis, 18. 21; Jonah, 1. 2; Re-in pouring its "destroying" lava on all the country velation, 18. 5.). that her awful fall must be God's judgment for her surrounding "rocks" alone marking where the crater Even the heathen nations perceive around, falls into the vacuum, and becomes extinct, the crying sins (Psalm 9. 16; 64. 9.). 10. Next after the speech had been. Such was the appearance of Babylon after of the confederates of Babylon, comes that of the Jews its destruction, and as the pumice stones of the volcano celebrating with thanksgivings the promise-keeping are left in their place, being unfit for building, so Babyfaithfulness of their covenant God. brought forth, &c. lon should never rise from its ruins. 26. corner...stone -(Psalm 37. 6.). merits, but God's faithfulness to Himself and to His one in the building, the foundation-stones came next our righteousness - not the Jews'...foundations-The corner-stone was the most important covenant, which constituted the "righteousness" of in importance (Ephesians, 2. 20.). So the sense is, even His people, i.e., their justification in their controversy as there shall be no stones useful for building left of with Babylon, the cruel enemy of God and His people. thee, so no leading prince, or governors, shall come forth Cf. ch. 23. 6, "The Lord our righteousness," Micah, from thy inhabitants. 27. (Ch. 50. 29.). As in v. 12, the 7.9. Their righteousness is His righteousness. declare Babylonians were told to "set up the standard," so in Zion-(Psalm 102. 13-21.). 11. Make bright-lit., pure. here her foes are told to do so: the latter, to good purPolish and sharpen. gather-lit., fill: i.e., gather in pose; the former, in vain. Ararat- Upper or Major full number, so that none be wanting. So, "gave in Armenia, the regions about mount Ararat, Minnifull tale" (1 Samuel, 18. 27.). GESENIUS, not so well, Lower or Lesser Armenia. RAWLINSON says that Van translates," Fill with your bodies the shields" (cf. Song was the capital of Minni. It was conquered by Tettarof Solomon, 4. 4.). He means to tell the Babylonians,rassa, the general of Tetembar II, the Assyrian king

Prophecy against Babylon.

JEREMIAH, LII.

Prophecy against Babylon.

v. 47, plainly answers to "at Babylon," v. 49, English | fate, no doubt he retained the substance in memory, Version. 50. escaped. sword-viz., of the Medes. So so as to be able orally to communicate it to his great will be the slaughter that even some of God's countrymen. went with Zedekiah-rather, "in behalf people shall be involved in it, as they had deserved. of Zedekiah;" sent by Zedekiah to appease Nebuchadafar off-though ye are banished far off from where ye nezzar's anger at his revolt. [CALVIN.] fourth year used formerly to worship God. let Jerusalem come into-so that Jeremiah's prediction of Babylon's downfall your mind-whilst in exile remember your temple and was thus solemnly written, and sealed by a symbolicity, so as to prefer them to all the rest of the world cal action, six whole years before the capture of Jeruwherever ye may be (Isaiah, 62.6.). 51. The prophet salem by the Babylonians. quiet prince-cf. 1 Chronicles, anticipates the Jews' reply: I know you will say in 22. 9, "a man of rest." Seraiah was not one of the despair," We are confounded," &c. "Wherefore (God courtiers hostile to God's prophets, but "quiet" and saith to you), behold I will," &c. (v. 52.). [CALVIN.] docile; ready to execute Jeremiah's commission, notI prefer taking v. 51 as the prayer which the Jews are withstanding the risk attending it. GLASSIUS transdirected to offer in exile (r. 50,), "let Jerusalera come lates, "prince of Menuchah" (cf. 1 Chronicles, 2. 52, into your mind," and say in prayer to God, "We are Margin.). MAURER translates, "commander of the confounded." This view is confirmed by Psalm 44. 15, caravan," on whom it devolved to appoint the resting 16; 79. 4; 102. 17-20; Isaiah, 62. 6, 7. for strangers-the place for the night. English Version suits the context "reproach," which especially has stung us, is when they best. 61. read-not in public, for the Chaldeans would taunted us with the fact that they had burned the not have understood Hebrew; but in private, as is to temple, our peculiar glory, as though our religion was be inferred from his addressing himself altogether to a thing of nought. 52. Wherefore - Because of these God (v. 62.). [CALVIN.] 62. O Lord, thou--and not sighs of the Jews directed to God (v. 21.). I... judg- merely Jeremiah, or any man, is the author of this ment upon... images-in opposition to the Babylonian prophecy; I therefore here, in thy presence, embrace taunt that Jehovah's religion was a thing of nought, as true all that I read. 63. bind a stone, &c.-(Revesince they had burned His temple (v. 51:): I will show lation, 18. 21.). So the Phoceans in leaving their that, though I have thus visited the Jews' neglect of country, when about to found Marseilles, threw lead me, yet those gods of Babylon cannot save themselves, into the sea, binding themselves not to return till the much less their votaries, who shall "through all her lead should swim. 64. they shall be weary - the land" lie and "groan" with wounds. 53. Cf. Obadiah, 4, Babylonians shall be worn out, so as not to be able as to Edom (Amos, 9. 2.). Though... yet from me-We to recover their strength. Thus far. . . Jeremiahare not to measure God's power by what seems to our Hence it is to be inferred, that the last chapter is not perceptions natural or probable. 55. great voice- included in Jeremiah's writings, but was added by where once was the great din of a mighty city, there some inspired man, mainly from 2 Kings, 24. 18, to ch. shall be the silence of death. [VATABLU8.] Or, the 25., to explain and confirm what precedes. [CALVIN.] "great voice" of the revellers (v. 38, 39; Isaiah, 22. CHAPTER LII. 2.). Or, the voice of mighty boasting [CALVIN] (cf. v. Ver. 1-34. WRITTEN BY SOME OTHER THAN JERE53.). her waves-"when" her calamities shall cause her MIAH (PROBABLY EZRA) AS AN HISTORICAL SUPto give forth a widely different "voice," even such a PLEMENT TO THE PREVIOUS PROPHECIES (Note, ch. one as the waves give that lash the shores (v. 42.). 51. 04.). Jeremiah having already (chs. 39., 40.) given [GROTIUS.] Or, "when" is connected thus: " the great the history in the proper place, was not likely to voice" in her, when her "waves," &c. (cf. v. 13.). repeat it here. Its canonical authority as inspired is CALVIN translates, "their waves," i.e., the Medes shown by its being in the LXX. version. It contains bursting on her as impetuous waves; so v. 42. But the capture and burning of Jerusalem, &c., Zedekian's the parallel, "a great voice," belongs to her, therefore punishment, and the better treatment of Jehoiachin the "wave"- like "roar" of "their voice" ought also under Evil-merodach, down to his death. These last belong to her (cf. v. 54.). The "great voice" of com- events were probably subsequent to Jeremiah's time. mercial din, boasting and feasting, is "destroyed;" but 3. through... anger of... Lord... Zedekiah rebelledin its stead there is the wave-like roar of her voice in His "anger" against Jerusalem, determining Him to her "destruction" (v. 64.). 56. taken-when they were "cast out" His people "from His presence" heretofore least expecting it, and in such a way that resistance manifested there, led Him to permit Zedekiah to was impossible. 57. (Ver. 39; Daniel, 5. 1, &c.). 58. rebel (2 Kings, 23. 26, 27; cf. Exodus, 9. 12; 10. 1; Robroad walls-eighty-seven feet broad [ROSENMULLER]; mans, 9. 18.). That rebellion, being in violation of his flity cubits [GROTIUS.]. A chariot of four horses oath "by God," was sure to bring down God's vengeance abreast could meet another on it without collision. The (2 Chronicles, 36. 13; Ezekiel, 17. 15, 16, 18.). 4. fores walls were 200 cubits high, and 485 stadia, or sixty miles-rather, towers of wood [KIMCHI], for watching the in extent. gates 100 in number, of brass; twenty-movements of the besieged from the height, and five on each of the four sides, the city being square; between the gates were 250 towers. BEROSUS says triple walls encompassed the outer, and the same number the inner city. Cyrus caused the outer walls to be demolished. Taking the extent of the walls to be 365 stadia, as DIODORUS states, it is said 200,000 men completed a stadium each day, so that the whole was completed in one year. labour... in the fire-The event will show that the builders of the walls have "laboured" only for the "fire" in which they shall be consumed. "In the fire" answers to the parallel, "burned with fire." Translate, "shall have laboured in vain," &c. Cf. Job, 3. 14, "built desolate places for themselves," i.e., grand places, soon about to be desolate ruins. Jeremiah has in view here Habakkuk, 2. 13. 59-64. A special copy of the prophecy prepared by Jeremiah was delivered to Seraiah, to console the Jews in their Babylonian exile. Though he was to throw it into the Euphrates, a symbol of Babylon's I

annoying them with missiles. 7. Note, ch. 39. 4.). 9. gave judgment upon him as guilty of rebellion and perjury (v. 3; cf. Ezekiel, 23. 24.). 11. Ezekiel, 12. 13: "I will bring him to Babylon, yet shall he not see it." prison - lit., the house of visitations, or punishments. i.e., where there was penal work enforced on the prisoners, as grinding. Hence LXX, render it "the house of the mill." So Samson, after his eyes were put out, "ground" in the Philistine prison house (Judges, 16. 21.). 12. tenth day-but in 2 Kings, 25. 8, it is said "the seventh day." Nebuzar-adan started from Ribiah on the "seventh" day, and arrived in Jerusalem on the "tenth" day. Seeming discrepancies, when cleared up, confirm the genuineness of Scripture: for they show there was no collusion between the writers; as in all God's works there is latent harmony under outward varieties. 13. all the houses. .. and all the houses of the great-the "and" defines what houses especially are meant, viz., the houses of the great men. 15. poor of