Jeremiah, Chapter 50

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 look forward to the destruction of mystical (spiritual) Babylon; and several passages in the Book of the Revelation are borrowed from there; being it is intermixed with promises and prophecies of the deliverance of God's people from there, and of the conversion of the Jews, and the restoration of them to their own which will be at that time (Jer.50:4). The destruction of Babylon in general is proclaimed and declared, and the manner and cause of it (Jer.50:1), then the enemies of Babylon are stirred up and ready to proceed against her, and execute the judgments of God upon her (Jer.50:14). What follows is the LORD'S disagreement with her, because of her pride and oppression of His people; as He threatens her with the sword, drought and utter destruction (Jer.50:31); and then a description is given of her enemies, that would be the instruments of her destruction (Jer.50:41); and the Chapter closes with seeing, that all of this is according to the counsel and purpose of Almighty God (Jer.50:45).

Theme: Prophecy to Babylon
This is the prophecy against the nation, which at that time was the top nation of the world. It was the first great world power but would also be destroyed. God’s Judgment would come to Babylon.

The Ruin of Babylon: Part 1 (Jer.50:1-7)

The king of Babylon was kind to Jeremiah, but now the prophet must predict the ruin of that kingdom. Dear one, if our friends are God's enemies, we must NOT speak peace to them. The destruction of Babylon is spoken of as done thoroughly. This is comfort for the Jews. They shall return to their God first, then to their own land; the Promise of their conversion and reformation makes way for the other promises. Their tears do not flow from worldly sorrow, as when they went into captivity, but from Godly sorrow. They shall seek after the LORD as their God, and have no more to do with idols. They shall think of returning to their own country. In TRUE converts there is a sincere desire to realize the end, and their constant care is to keep in the narrow way. Their present case is lamented as very sad.

Jer. 50:1 The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet. (KJV)

The word that the LORD spake against Babylon . . . the city of Babylon, the capital of the Chaldean empire; sometimes it means the whole country, but here the city only, as appears by what follows.
And against the land of the Chaldeans . . . where the Jews were carried captive, for whose comfort this prophecy is delivered; and which had subdued other nations, and had become a worldwide monarchy. These people are mentioned last, because the rest of the nations were to drink the cup of God's wrath at their hands, and then, they too were to drink it after them (Jer.25:9). This is to be understood not only of Babylon and its empire, literally taken, but also of mystical Babylon and its dependencies; of Rome and its authority; of the Antichrist, and all the antichristian states, the last enemies of the church and people of God, who will be destroyed by the pouring out of the seven vials (Rev.15:1). This prophecy is called the word that the LORD spake, for it was from the Lord GOD, the thing was decreed and declared by Him, and came,
By Jeremiah the prophet . . . to whom the king of Babylon had been very kind; but  Jeremiah must be faithful as a prophet, and he was, to deliver what he had received from the LORD concerning the ruin of the Babylonian Empire.

Jer. 50:2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces. (KJV)

Declare ye among the nations . . . Jeremiah was to proclaim the taking of Babylon; a piece of news, in which the nations of the world had a concern, as well as the Jews, being brought under the Babylon yoke, from which they would now be freed; therefore such a declaration had to be very joyful to them. Some take these words to be the words of God to the prophet; others, the words of Jeremiah to the nations . . . I think it is both! The LORD gave the words to Jeremiah, and Jeremiah gave the words to the people.
And publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not . . . make it known, far and near; that it may be better heard, set up a sign or standard, to gather the people together to hear it, as a token of victory, and expressing joy because of it (Isa.13:2).
Say, Babylon is taken . . . this is to be declared, published, and not concealed; it was to be declared with a loud voice to be echoed throughout the several nations of the Earth. Thus, when the everlasting Gospel is preached to every nation on Earth, and Christ is set up in it as an Ensign and Standard to the people; it shall be everywhere published, Babylon is fallen, is fallen (Rev.14:6).
Bel is confounded . . . Bel was an idol of the Babylonians, thought by some to be the same as Baal. He is said to be confounded, because his worshippers were confounded, that gloried in him, and put their trust in him. The Targum says, they are confounded that worship Bel (Isa.46:1).
Merodach is broken in pieces . . . another of their idols, which means a pure lord; some of their kings had this as one of their names (Isa.39:1). The Targum is, they are broken that worshipped Merodach.
Her idols are confounded, her images are broken to pieces . . . these were their lesser gods, as the other two were their greater ones; and all would be destroyed along with it; as all the idols and images of the church of Rome will be, when that is destroyed (Rev.9:20).

Jer. 50:3 For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast. (KJV)

For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her . . . the Medes and Persians, which under Cyrus were one nation; and which not only lay north of Judea, where this prophecy came, but of Babylon, against which they were to come; and might lay more north to it, before the enlargement of their dominions; and too, Cyrus came through Assyria to Babylon, which lay north of it (Isa.41:25). Thus, as Pagan Rome was sacked and taken by the Goths and Vandals, that came out of the north; so too Papal Rome, and the antichristian states, will be destroyed by the Christian princes of the north, or those who have embraced what the Popes call the northern heresy; tidings out of the north shall trouble the Antichrist. Dan. 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. (KJV)
Which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein . . . to be precise, in process of time; for this desolation was not made at once; it was begun by Cyrus, made greater by Darius, and completed by Seleucus Nicator.
They shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast . . . such as were not killed would either run away or be carried captive; so that in time none would remain, either of man or beast (Isa.13:19); and for the accomplishment of it, on mystical Babylon see (Rev.18:2).

Jer. 50:4 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God. (KJV)

In those days, and at that time, saith the LORD . . . when Babylon shall be taken and destroyed, then what follows shall be accomplished; which, since it respects the conversion of the Jews, shows that this prophecy is not to be restrained to literal Babylon.
The children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together . . . upon the taking of Babylon, in a literal sense, by Cyrus, the children of Israel, or the ten tribes, carried away by the Assyrians, did not return; only the children of Judah, or the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with the Levites, and a few of the other tribes, that might be mixed among them: but when mystical Babylon is fallen, then the entire body of the Jews will be converted, and return to their own land, Israel and Judah; which is foretold in other prophecies, as here, which speak of their general conversion (Jer.30:3; Hos.1:11).
Going and weeping . . . this is another circumstance, which shows that this does not respect the return of the Jews from the Babylon captivity; for that was attended with joy, and not with tears (Ps.126:1); unless it is to be understood of weeping for joy, and of tears of joy, as some interpret it. It seems to me it is better to understand it of that Godly sorrow and mourning for sin. Zec.12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (KJV). This shall appear in the Jews at the time of their conversion; mainly because of their fathers' ill treatment of the Messiah, their unbelief and rejection of Him, and their continued stubbornness and willfulness and other sins (Jer.31:9).
They shall go and seek the LORD their God . . . even David their King, the TRUE Messiah, who is LORD and God; to him they shall seek for peace, pardon, righteousness and eternal life . . . and they shall eagerly and willingly acknowledge Jesus to be the Messiah, their LORD, and their God. They shall also embrace His Gospel, and submit to His ordinances. Jer.30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. (KJV)                

Jer. 50:5 They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. (KJV)

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward . . . either to Jerusalem, near where Mount Zion was; or to the land of Israel in general. This is not to be understood of their return there, upon the taking of Babylon by Cyrus, and the liberty he gave them; for they had no need to ask their way there, nor do we find anywhere that they did; for although there might be many among them born in the captivity, who did not know the way; there were others that did, and could direct and go before them, and even some who had seen the former Temple (Ezra 3;12). But it seems that all this better suits better the Jews in the latter day, upon the fall of mystical Babylon, when they shall be converted and return to their own land, and shall ask their way there; being determined to go there.            
Saying, come, and let us join ourselves unto the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten . . . only then may they be able to say: let us join ourselves to the LORD! For only then, under the LORD’S a Divine influence, shall they give themselves to Christ, to be saved by Him. Only then shall they lay hold on Him, embrace Him, believe in Him and love Him! Only then shall they follow Him and cleave to Him with their whole heart; and stand firm in His Truths and decrees. Only then shall they lay hold on the everlasting covenant of grace, which will never be forgotten by the LORD.

Jer. 50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. (KJV)

My people hath been lost sheep . . . the Jews, like lost sheep without a shepherd, go astray from the fold, wander from place to place, having no one to take care of them, no one to guide and direct them, no one to go in and out before them, and no one to lead them into suitable pastures . . . so it was with the Jews in the Babylon captivity, and so it is with them now! Yet dear one, the LORD still has a plan of grace concerning them, a storehouse of mercy for them and beautiful thoughts of peace towards them, which will take place in due time. Dear one, this is the way it is with ALL God's elect in a state of nature, we are sheep, but we are lost sheep, and yet we are His people! Thank You Heavenly Father for sending us Your Son! Isa. 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (KJV)
Their shepherds have caused them to go astray . . . SO many false shepherds back then and today, are leading people away from God and His worship, away from the Truth of the Holy Word of God. Their civil and religious governors, their kings, princes, priests, and prophets, were the causes of leading them into errors . . . then and NOW! Their priests and Rabbis now cause them to err from the One and Only TRUE Messiah, His Gospel and decrees, just as their false Christs and false prophets have done in every age since the times of Christ.  
They have turned them away on the mountains; . . . mountains was where idols were worshipped, as this was their case before and at the Babylon captivity, though never since.
They have gone from mountain to hill . . . from one religion to another, seeking rest and happiness . . . in the law of Moses, and traditions of the elders; or from kingdom to kingdom, wandering about from place to place, as they do to this day.
They have forgotten their resting place . . . either the land of Canaan, which was their rest (Deut.12:9); and from God Himself, Who is the Resting Place of all His people (Ps.116.7), and away from the LORD Jesus Christ, in whose Person, Blood, righteousness, sacrifice and fullness is the TRUE rest of His people; and which is so easily forgotten when men rest in themselves and their duties, and seek something else other than Christ Jesus for peace and comfort.

*****Resting-place for the sheep. JESUS is the resting-place of His sheep.
Mat.11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (KJV)  
They rest in His Bosom. Isa.40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (KJV)  
His Temple at Zion is their rest, because it is His rest.  
Psalm 132:8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. (KJV)  
Psalm 132:14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. (KJV)

Jer. 50:7 All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers. (KJV)

All that found them have devoured them . . . because lost and wandering sheep are likely to be found and to be devoured by every beast of prey, lions, wolves and bears. The Jews were found by their neighbors, their enemies, and especially by the Chaldeans, they had forsaken God, and were forsaken by Him . . . which is their case today, and are often found and seized upon by their enemies, and made a prey of one group or another.
And their adversaries said, We offend not . . . we are not guilty of any evil, in taking away their lives, or stripping them of their substance.
Because they have sinned against the LORD . . . they are justly punished in this way; and it is no other than what the LORD threatened them with, and foretold by His prophets that would come upon them. This they said, not that they feared the LORD, or had any respect to His honor and glory, but to excuse themselves, which could not do; for though they sinned against the LORD, they had not sinned against them, and they had no right to destroy them, and plunder them of their substance. And so it is today, so many think it is not a crime to injure the Jews in their persons and property, because they have sinned against Christ, and rejected Him as the Messiah . . . BUT . . . it is NOT anyone but Almighty God that has the right  to punish the Jews, Israel! BEWARE!!!
The habitation of justice . . . the dwelling place of the saints, the city of refuge and strong tower, whither the righteous run and are safe.
Even the LORD, the hope of their fathers . . . whom their fathers hoped for and expected, He being spoken and prophesied of by ALL the prophets that were from the beginning of the world, and therefore Christ Jesus is called the Hope of Israel (Jer.14:8).

The Ruin of Babylon: Part 2 (Jer. 50:8-20)

The desolation that shall be brought upon Babylon is now told in a mixture of expressions. The cause of this destruction is the wrath of the LORD. Babylon shall be entirely desolated; for she has sinned against the LORD. Someone said: Sin makes men a mark for the arrows of God's judgments. So true! The mercy promised to God’s Israel, shall arise from the destruction of Babylon. These lost sheep shall be gathered from the wildernesses of the world, and put again into good, lush pasture. Each and every one who returns to God and their duty to Him, shall have complete satisfaction of their soul.

Jer. 50:8 Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks. (KJV)

Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans . . . this, in the literal sense, is a call to the Jews in Babylon, and in other parts of Chaldea, to go out from there on the proclamation of Cyrus; and especially to their chiefs, to move the rest of them and set an example; such as Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Ezra, and others . . . and in the spiritual sense, is a call to the people of God in Rome, and the antichristian states, to come out from there, before the destruction of it. Rev. 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (KJV) . . . Which seems to refer to this passage.
And be as the he goats before the flocks . . . which walk cheerfully, readily and stately, without fear and dread, boldly and confidently, encouraging others to follow them, as princes at the head of their people.

Jer. 50:9 For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain. (KJV)

For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon . . . the work was of the LORD; for it was He Himself that would give a commission and a command to the enemies of Babylon; that would stir them up to come against her. It would be the LORD Who would direct their motions and guide them there, so that it would most certainly be exactly as He planned.  
An assembly of great nations from the north country . . . the Medes and Persians, with their allies which came with them from the north; as also a collection of Christian nations from the north of Europe against Antichrist.
And they shall set themselves in array against her . . . draw up their army in form of battle, prepare and position their instruments of war for the siege of Babylon.
From thence shall she be taken . . . on the north side, from which quarter the enemy would come; suddenly, and at once: so Babylon was destroyed by Cyrus; and the destruction of Rome, or mystical Babylon will be sudden and at an unawares. Rev.18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (KJV)
Their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man . . . the Medes and Persians were famous for archery, strong to draw the bow, and skillful to guide and direct the arrow.
None shall return in vain . . . not one of the arrows shall miss the mark, they all will kill what they are aimed at.

Jer. 50:10 And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD. (KJV)

And Chaldea shall be a spoil . . . the land of the Chaldeans would become looted and plundered of all its riches and treasures; not only Babylon principally, but the whole country it was the capital of.
All that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD . . . for although spoilers are generally ravenous, yet so great would be the riches found in Babylon and in Chaldea, that they would have enough, and desire no more (Rev.18:17).

Jer. 50:11 Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; (KJV)

Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage . . . this is addressed to the Chaldeans who destroyed Jerusalem and the land of Judea, which was once the heritage of the LORD; then they rejoiced at the destruction of God's people, and ridiculed them in their miseries . . . which is the reason given of their ruin, for even though they had a commission to destroy from the LORD, they surpassed it by far, and then by rejoicing at the ruin of that people, which showed great inhumanity. And so too, shall the Beast rejoice at the slaying of the witnesses, but will be repaid in the same way. Rev.11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (KJV) . . . All the people on Earth will give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them.
Because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass . . . which eats all day and grows fat, and so would be these Chaldeans, having enhanced themselves with the spoils of Judea and other nations, loving all the ease and luxury; and it was at one of their festivals their city was taken, to which there may be some reference,
And bellow as bulls . . . having gotten the victory, or it may also mean their impetuous lust after women, whom they forced and ravished, when taken captives by them.

Jer. 50:12 Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. (KJV)
 
Your mother shall be sore confounded . . . their capital, their mother city, the city of Babylon; which would be confounded when taken . . . none of her sons being able to defend her: the same will be true of mystical Babylon, the mother of harlots.
Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (KJV)
She that bare you shall be ashamed . . . means the same as above, just different words.
Behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert . . . Babylon was the head of them, indicated by the head of gold in Nebuchadnezzar's image (Dan2:32, 38), shall now be the tail of them, and become like a dry land and wilderness, without inhabitants, having neither men nor cattle in it (verse 3).

Jer. 50:13 Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues. (KJV)

Because of the wrath of the LORD, it shall not be inhabited . . . because Babylon has provoked the LORD by their idolatry, luxury, cruel use of His people, and the profaning of the vessels of the Temple; therefore it would be destroyed, and left without any inhabitants in it.
But it shall be wholly desolate . . . as it now is. Rev.16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (KJV)
Everyone that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues . . .  any traveler that had seen Babylon in its glory would now be astonished to see the desolation of it; and by way of scorn and mockery, jeer at the judgments of God upon it, rejoicing at them, shaking their head.

Jer. 50:14 Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD. (KJV)

Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about . . . this is directed to the Medes and Persians, to position of their army in proper places round about the city of Babylon, to besiege it that they might be sure of victory. The LORD’S wrath having severely threatened its ruin.
All ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows . . .  the Elamites, or Persians, as before observed, were well skilled in archery.
For she hath sinned against the LORD . . . which brought the wrath of God upon her; and the main sin He held against him was the terrible way he treated God’s people.  

Jer. 50:15 Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her. (KJV)

Shout against her round about . . . as soldiers do when they make an assault upon a place, to encourage one another, and panic the besieged; just as the Israelites did when they surrounded Jericho (Jos.6:5; Heb.11:30).
She hath given her hand . . . submitted to the conqueror, (1 Chr.29:24; Lam.5:6).).
Her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down . . . not at the taking of it by Cyrus, but afterwards by Darius; for this concerns the conclusion of its destruction, which was progressive and gradual.
For it is the vengeance of the LORD . . . the Almighty God decreed, threatened and took Babylon, because of the way His people had been so mistreated.
Take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her . . . meaning to fulfil the LORD'S vengeance, of which the Persians were the instruments; and who were to do according to the law of retaliation, which is a just one; to do to Babylon as she had done to Jerusalem, and other places, she had utterly destroyed. This seems to  refer to: Rev 18:6  Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. (KJV)

Jer. 50:16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land. (KJV)

Cut off the sower from in Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest . . . cut off both sower and reaper. The walls of Babylon took in quite a large amount of land, where there were corn fields; and which, would yield an abundance to hold out a siege against an enemy; but being taken, the farmer would not be spared, as once was, but would be cut off, so there would be none to work the ground, or to reap what was on it. ; Rev. 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. (KJV)
For fear of the oppressing sword . . . of the Medes and Persians.
They shall turn everyone to his people, and they shall flee everyone to his own land . . . not those of other nations, as the Jews, who were detained captives there, as some think; for these did not fear the Persians, nor did they flee because of them; but were let go by them, and sent into their own land honorably. This seems to mean those of other nations that came to traffic at Babylon; or maybe those who were hired or forced into the service of Babylon; these, finding the city taken would take the quickest way back into their own country.

Jer. 50:17 Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones. (KJV)

Israel is a scattered sheep . . . like a herd of sheep that are scared and driven from the fold, and are scattered, they wander around here and there . . . this means Israel, and includes all the twelve tribes.
The lions have driven him away . . . from his own land, and carried him captive, and scattered him among the nations; these lions are afterwards shown to be the kings of Assyria and Babylon. Lions are hostile kings.
First the king of Assyria hath devoured him . . . eaten him up; meaning Shalmaneser king of Assyria, who carried captive the ten tribes, that never returned, and therefore were said to be devoured.
And last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones . . . took all his strength and substance, stripped him of all his wealth and riches, reduced him to his bones, which made a mere skeleton of him. He took Jerusalem, burned the Temple, and carried captive the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, the strength of Israel; so, between the one lion and the other, all Israel was like a scattered sheep, scattered among the nations. Nebuchadnezzar was the then reigning king in Babylon when this prophecy was delivered, and is called this Nebuchadrezzar.

Jer. 50:18 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria. (KJV)

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel . . . because of the cruel treatment of His people, whose God He was; and being the LORD of hosts, and able to avenge Himself on their enemies, He now threatens:
Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land . . . this would not be Nebuchadnezzar, but a successor of his, Belshazzar, who was killed the night Babylon was taken (Dan.5).
As I have punished the king of Assyria . . . not Shalmaneser that carried the tribes captive; but a successor of his, Chynilidanus, the last king of Assyria; who was killed when Nineveh was taken, the capital of Assyria, and which was done before this prophecy was delivered. These two kings will both be destroyed, at or just before, the conversion of the Jews, and their return to their own land; which is prophesied of in verse 19.

Jer. 50:19 And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead. (KJV)

And I will bring Israel again to his habitation . . . the symbol of sheep still continues. Israel means not just the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the Levites, and a few of the other tribes mixed with them only, but ALL Israel, together with Judah, as appears from verse 20, and so this prophecy was not completely fulfilled at the Jews' return from the Babylon captivity; but looks to their future conversion, when ALL Israel shall be saved (Rom.11:26).  That day IS coming!
And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon Mount Ephraim and Gilead . . . all these were fruitful places and had good pasture, so they belonged to the ten tribes; which shows that it respects the return of them and the fullness of blessings, both temporal and spiritual, they shall then enjoy.

Jer. 50:20 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. (KJV)

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD . . . when mystical (or symbolic) Babylon shall be destroyed, the Jews will be converted and brought into their land, and be in possession of every temporal and spiritual mercy. It will then be very clear that they are the favorites of Heaven, and all their sins are forgiven them, as follows.
The iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found . . . iniquity of Israel, the sins of the past will be pardoned. The forgiveness of sins goes hand in hand with the initiating of the new covenant (Jer.31:34). 
For I will pardon them whom I reserve; . . . whom does the LORD reserve? The elect remnant (Isa.1:9), the remnant, according to the election of grace, whom God has chosen in Christ, preserved in Him, and reserved for Himself, for His own glory and for eternal happiness. These are pardoned freely for Christ's sake; and being pardoned, no sin is imputed to them; all sin is removed from them, as far as the east is from the west (Ps.103:12); covered completely and out of the sight of God; hidden from the eye of avenging justice; blotted out as in a debt book, which is not readable, or as a cloud which vanishes; cast by the LORD behind His Back, and into the depths of the sea (Mic.7:19), and entirely forgotten; never to be remembered any more (Heb.8:12; 10:17), but buried in everlasting oblivion and obscurity. Rom. 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. (KJV) O’ what a day this shall be!

The Ruin of Babylon: Part 3 (Jer. 50:21-32)

The armies are gathered and empowered to destroy Babylon. They shall do what the One and Only, Almighty God commands. They shall bring to pass what He has threatened. The pride and arrogance of men's hearts sets the LORD against them, and ripens them quickly for ruin. Babylon's pride shall be her ruin; she has been so proud against the Holy One of Israel. Who can keep up those whom God will throw down? NO one!

Jer. 50:21 Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. (KJV)

Go up against the land of Merathaim . . . Merathaim is a symbolical name for Babylon, meaning two rebellions. Go, because the time was come to visit and punish them for their sins; and may particularly mean the inhabitants of Babylon, the city to be visited for its iniquities; and especially mystical Babylon, which shall come up in remembrance before God. Rev. 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (KJV)
Even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod . . . Pekod was originally an Aramean tribe that settled in southeastern Babylonia in the eighth century B.C., and Pekod was the name of a place in Assyria (Eze.23:23).
Waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD . . . either after the destruction of the places before mentioned; or chase after those that flee and make their escape from there, and destroy them.  
And do according to all that I have commanded thee . . . Babylon's destruction was Divinely ordered by the Almighty LORD! Rev. 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. (KJV)

Jer. 50:22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction. (KJV)

A sound of battle is in the land . . . in the land of the Chaldeans, the noise of warriors, the clashing of arms, and sound of trumpets, both of the enemy entering into the land, and of the Chaldeans arming themselves in their own defense.
And of great destruction . . . in the land, in Babylon.  

Jer. 50:23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! (KJV)

How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! . . . hammer is Babylon, so called because of its heavy destructive power. How is the king cut down and broken that moved the whole earth? The Kingdom of Babylon was like a hammer for its hardness and strength; and being an instrument in the Hand of God, it beat to pieces and destroyed the kingdoms and nations around it . . . but it is now destroyed itself. These are the words either of the prophet, or maybe the people of other nations, wondering how this destruction came about, and rejoicing at it.
How is Babylon become a desolation among the nations! . . . this explains who and what is meant by the hammer of the Earth, and by its being cut asunder and broken; even the utter destruction of the city and kingdom of Babylon.

Jer. 50:24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD. (KJV)

I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon . . . using the strategy that Cyrus used, by draining the Euphrates River, and marching his army up through it into the midst of the city of Babylon, thus taking it by surprise, while the people at night were feasting and reveling: this is said to be a snare laid by the LORD, because it was according to the guidance of His will, and through His directing wisdom.
And thou wast not aware . . . they had no idea of what the enemy had done, of his march into the city, and taking of it; for . . . one part of the city was seized and taken before the other knew anything about it.  
Thou art found, and also caught . . . they were caught like wild animals in a snare.
Because thou hast striven against the LORD . . . as persons petition a point with each other in courts, or as warriors strive against each other in battle; Babylon sinned against the LORD, and had deeply offended Him, not only by her idolatry and luxury, but by her oppression of His people, and profaning the vessels of His House; as Belshazzar did, the night Babylon was taken.
https://godcannotlie.org/book_of_daniel_ch5.htm

Jer. 50:25 The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans. (KJV)

The LORD hath opened his armoury . . . referring to the manner of kings, who have some particular structure built for an armory (Song 4:4); wherein are provided and laid up all sorts of armor, small and great, which are fetched out from there, in time of need. This armory is to be understood of Media and Persia, and other parts, from where a mighty army, well equipped, was brought by the powerful wisdom of God . . . in fact, the whole world is the LORD’S armory, from where He can raise up instruments to do His will at pleasure, any time, any place! Some think this is said with reference to the treasure of the LORD'S House the king of Babylon had seized upon, and now by way of retaliation the LORD would open His treasury to Babylon’s ruin.
And hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation . . . as a king, when he goes to war, opens his armory, and takes out armor of every kind, both offensive and defensive, swords, spears, shields, etc., so too, the LORD would now bring the Medes and Persians, well-armed, to be the instruments of His wrath and vengeance on Babylon.
The vessels of his indignation could have some view to the vessels of the sanctuary, that the king of Babylon had taken away and profaned. These may well be applied to the vials of wrath poured out on the antichristian states by the angels, called forth out of the Temple. Rev. 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (KJV)
For this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans . . .  which He decreed and ordered to be done; and which, without His power and providence, could never have been done. Rev. 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (KJV)

Jer. 50:26 Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left. (KJV)

Come against her from the utmost border . . . from the end of the Earth; from the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, on which the Persians and Medes bordered; from the most distant countries; for the Medes and Persians, who are here called unto, brought others along with them in their army from places still more remote.
Open her storehouses . . . where her gold, silver, jewels, and other precious things, lay: or, her barns or granaries, where they stored the fruits and increase of the Earth; and may mean her cities and fortified places, full of inhabitants, as well as of riches and stores of all kinds.
Cast her up as heaps . . . as heaps of rubbish to make a walkway, and then walk on them to make it smooth: or of corn, tread upon as oxen do, to thresh them out.  
And destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left . . . of the city of Babylon, its inhabitants, wealth and riches; so complete would the destruction be.

Jer. 50:27 Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation. (KJV)

Slay all her bullocks . . . or all her mighty ones, her princes and great men, which are compared to bulls for their strength, fatness and fierceness (Ps.22:12). This could also be applied to the slaughter of kings, captains and mighty men, at the battle of Armageddon. Rev 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (KJV)

Let them go down to the slaughter . . . to the place slaughter, as oxen do, unaware, of what shall happen there.  
Woe unto them, for their day is come, the time of their visitation . . . the time of their visitation (Jer.8:12; 10:15; 46:21; 50:27; 51:18); the time of their destruction, of visiting them for their sins, appointed by the LORD, which they could not pass by; and so a woeful and dreadful time to them.

Jer. 50:28 The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple. (KJV)

The voice of them that flee and escape out the land of Babylon . . . the Jews that were captives in Babylon, took that chance to flee out of it, and make their escape to their own land, which some of them might do before the proclamation of Cyrus; whose voice declaring to their brethren in Judea what God had done to Babylon, and rejoicing at it, was as if it was heard by the prophet in vision, or under a spirit of prophecy. This is also true of them who will be called out of mystical Babylon, and escape from there, just before its destruction. Rev. 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (KJV)
To declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of His Temple; the vengeance which God took on the Chaldeans for their cruel usage of His people, and for plundering and burning His Temple. This the Jews, when they came to their own land, declared to their brethren there with joy and pleasure; and a similar joy will be expressed when God shall avenge His people on the  Antichrist, for his blasphemy against Him, His Name, His Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven. Rev. 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (KJV)

Jer. 50:29 Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel. (KJV)

Call together the archers against Babylon . . . the Medes and Persians, who were skilled in archery, especially the Elamites (Isa.22:6). The sense is, either gather many together against Babylon, a large army; or cause many to hear the vengeance against Babylon; publish this good news; and this shall be done by Gospel preachers, with respect to mystical Babylon. Rev. 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (KJV)
All ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape . . .  surround it on every side; surround it so closely that none can escape.
Recompence her according to her work: according to all that she hath done, do unto her . . . which is the law of retaliation (see verse 15). Compare with: Rev.18:6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. (KJV)
For she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel . . . behaved arrogantly and scornfully towards the LORD and His people; burning the city and Temple of Jerusalem; profaning the vessels of it, and treating badly the captive Jews. 2 Thes.2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (KJV) . . . This rightly can be applied to Antichrist, the man of sin, sitting in the Temple of God, showing himself as God; spouting blasphemy against the LORD, the Almighty God and His saints.

Jer. 50:30 Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD. (KJV)

Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets . . . in the streets, the Babylonians were so discouraged by losing some battles that they retired within their walls and would not again meet Cyrus in the field.
When Cyrus took Babylon, he ordered a proclamation to be made that the inhabitants should stay indoors; and that whoever were found in the streets would be put to death, as no doubt many were.
And all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD . . . as was Belshazzar and his guards (Dan.5:30). Compare with: Rev.19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (KJV)

Jer. 50:31 Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. (KJV)

Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts . . . or unbearably proud, as the kings of Babylon were, as Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar too, the present king. This also applies to the man of sin, a monster of pride that exalts himself above all that is called God, or is worshipped (2 Thes.2:4), so it is no wonder that the LORD is against him, who resists all that are proud; and woe to him and them that He is against.  
For the day is come, the time that I will visit thee . . . in a way of vindictive wrath and justice, for their pride and other sins.

Jer. 50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him. (KJV)

And the most proud shall stumble and fall . . . the man of pride who is so proud that he may actually be called ‘Pride’ itself. It may be understood of the whole kingdom and monarchy of Babylon, which was an exceptional state; but all its grandeur and glory were brought down and laid in the dust, all at once, just as mystical Babylon will!
Rev.18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (KJV)
And none shall raise him up . . . the kingdom of Babylon shall NOT be restored,  nor the king of it have any successor, nor the city be rebuilt. Rev.18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. (KJV)  
And I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him . . . in Babylon, the capital of the kingdom, and in all others round about it . . . it means the utter destruction of the entire monarchy. This may be applied to the burning of Rome with fire, and the ruin of its whole authority; for when that is destroyed, the cities of the nations all around shall fall, which belong to it. Rev.18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (KJV)

The Redemption of God's People (Jer.50:33-46)

It is Israel's comfort in distress, that even though they are weak, their Redeemer is strong. This may be applied to all believers, who complain of the dominion of sin and corruption, and of their own weakness and many frailties. Our Redeemer is well able to keep what they commit to Him (Ps.37:5; 1 Pet.4:19); and sin shall not have power over them. He will give them the rest which remains for the people of God. Also, we see here Babylon's sin and their punishment. Their sins are, idolatry and persecution. The judgments of God for these sins will lay them waste. In the judgments condemned against prosperous Babylon, and the mercies promised to afflicted Israel, we learn to choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

Jer. 50:33 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go. (KJV)

Thus saith the Lord of hosts . . . this is an introduction to another prophecy, separate from the former one, which respects the redemption of the LORD'S people by the Messiah; and is used to excite attention to it, as well as to assure the truth of it.
The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together . . . which cannot be understood very well. Of the ten tribes of Israel, and of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, or the whole body of the Jewish people; since these all were not oppressed at one and the same time, nor by the same monarch and monarchy. The children of Israel, or the ten tribes, were carried captive by Shalmaneser the Assyrian monarch; and the children of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian monarch, a hundred and fifty years later.               
The children of Israel seems to mean the entire body of these people. It is better to understand it of the entire spiritual Israel of God, as in their natural state oppressed by sin and Satan, (as are all people), being under their power; or as struggling under the oppressions and persecutions of the Antichrist . . . or else of the Jewish people in their present captivity, who shall one day be set free from it, and converted, and then all Israel shall be saved. (Rom.11:26).
And all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go . . . just as the Assyrians and Chaldeans took and held fast literal Israel and Judah; so too, the elect of God, the Israel He has chosen for Himself (Gal.3:28-29), are taken captive by sin and Satan, and are held by them, until they are snatched away by the powerful and effective grace of God. Many of God's Israel are taken and held captive under an antichristian yoke . . . just as the Jews to this day are in a state of exile and captivity, from which they cannot free themselves.                  

*****Children of Israel is a very common term in both the Old and the New Testament, and it refers to the Israelites as the descendants of a common ancestor, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (Gen.32:24-32). It was customary to label the members of the various tribes as the children of the one from whom the tribe originated (Num.1:20-43; Ezra 2:3-61), and it was natural that the people who boasted of Israel as their ancestor should be labelled as his children. The first reference to the descendants of Jacob is found in the account of the changing of Jacob's name to Israel, and the purpose is to connect them with the experience in Jacob's life which led to the change in his name. Gen. 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. (KJV)
After a time, the phrase "children of Israel" lost its unusual importance and was simply one of the popular terms meaning the inhabitants of Palestine, but at first it was intended to connect these people with their ancestor Jacob whose name was changed to Israel. The Jews of the New Testament times connected themselves with Abraham instead of Jacob.  
John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. (KJV)  
Rom. 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (KJV)  
Gal. 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (KJV)  
Gal. 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (KJV)

Jer. 50:34 Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. (KJV)

Their Redeemer is strong, the LORD of hosts is his name . . . and His Name is the LORD of hosts, and He has all the armies of Heaven and Earth at His command; and He is the Almighty God, the everlasting and unchangeable I AM (Gen.3:14). He is strong and mighty and well able to redeem His Israel from sin, Satan and the world; from the law, its curse and condemnation; from death and Hell, and wrath to come; as well as to deliver His people from the Roman yoke, and to avenge them on all their enemies.
He shall thoroughly plead their cause . . . Christ Jesus is the Redeemer of men and is their Advocate (1 Jn.2:1) with the Father; with Whom He pleads on their behalf.
An image from a court of justice, is fitting as God delivers His people not by mere might, but by righteousness. His plea against Satan and all their enemies is His own everlasting love, reconciling mercy and justice in the Redeemer's Work and Person (Mic.7:9; Zec.3:1-5; 1 Jn.2:1).
That he may give rest to the land . . . not only to the land of Judea, but to the whole world; which will be at rest and in peace upon the destruction of spiritual Babylon, and the conversion of the Jews, and their return to their own land; and too, the Messiah will give spiritual rest to ALL the redeemed ones, and eternal rest which remains for the people of God, from this time on through eternity.  
And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon . . . by its destruction, and bringing tribulation to them that trouble His people; and by punishing the Antichrist with the vials of His wrath, and with everlasting damnation, the smoke of whose torment shall ascend for ever and ever (Rev.19:3).

*****The Roman yoke of authority shall be extreme and excessive in the Tribulation Period. A coalition of nations, referred to in Ezekiel’s vision as “Gog of the land of Magog,” will try to annihilate those who practice TRUE religion. However, God will protect His worshippers from destruction (Eze.38:1-2; 9-12; 18-23). https://www.godcannotlie.org/true_children_of_god.htm
Rev.13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (KJV) . . . Worldwide power  . . . The ten crowns, point to the power of the Antichrist’s kingdom, which will eventually embrace the entire world.
Armageddon will be the war of the great day of God Almighty (Rev.16:14), and is also called the day of the LORD (Isa.13:9; 2 Pet.3:12).                         
Those judged unfavorably by Christ shall be destroyed (Zep.1:18); 2 Thes.1:6-10).   This will include the destruction of the worldwide political system, pictured in the Bible by a seven-headed wild beast (Rev.19-21).

Jer. 50:35 A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men. (KJV)

A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD . . . there shall come a sword, the sword of the Medes, upon Babylon, and all the land of the Chaldeans, and all orders of persons in it. The Christian princes shall draw the sword against the antichristian states.
And upon the inhabitants of Babylon . . . the capital of Chaldea, and the common people in it, not those of high rank and degree following.
And upon her princes . . . Belshazzar and his nobles, who were slain the night Babylon was taken (Dan.5).
And upon her wise men . . . prime ministers, politicians and counsellors of state; neither high birth nor great wisdom can keep them from the sword of the enemy, when it has a commission from God, as it had here.

Jer. 50:36 A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. (KJV)

A sword is upon the liars . . . of which there were many among the Chaldeans, who were a lying set of men, imposing upon and deceiving the people; these with their false prophecies and predictions could not save the land, nor themselves, from the devouring sword; for their sorceries and divinations were the cause of the ruin of it. Isa.47:9 But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. (KJV)  
And they shall dote . . . or be smitten, and act as mad, and be at their wits' end; not knowing what course to take for their own safety, and much less be able to give direction and advice to others.
A sword is upon her mighty men, and they shall be dismayed . . . the soldiers and their officers, the most brave and courageous of them; these would be in the highest dread and fear at the approach of the enemy; especially when they saw the city taken, and the killing of the king and his nobles.  

Jer. 50:37 A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed. (KJV)

A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots . . . upon the horsemen, and those that rode in chariots; upon the whole cavalry, which would fall into the enemies' hands, and be cut to pieces. Rev. 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (KJV)
And upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her . . . those of other nations that stopped in Babylon, or came there for merchandise; or rather her troops consisting of other people that were her allies, or in her pay and service.
And they shall become as women . . . fearful, faint hearted, quite dispirited, unable to act, or defend themselves.
A sword is upon her treasures, and they shall be robbed . . . and though Babylon had great treasures, yet those treasure shall not secure her, for she shall be robbed of them, and become utterly desolate.

Jer. 50:38 A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols. (KJV)

A drought is upon her waters, and they shall be dried up . . . the waters of Babylon, the Euphrates River, which ran through it; the channel of which was diverted by Cyrus, and drained and made so dry, that he marched his army right up it into the city. Some say Babylon was taken three times, by this strategy of turning the river Euphrates another way; first by Semiramis; and after Cyrus by Alexander: this may well be applied to the drying up of the river Euphrates, upon the pouring out of the sixth vial, and to the destruction of the antichristian states, signified by the many waters on which the great whore of Babylon or Rome sitteth, as this also looks forward to the Tribulation period. Rev.16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. (KJV)
For it is the land of graven images . . . Babylon was a land much given to idolatry; having idols of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood and stone (Dan.5:2).
And they are mad upon their idols . . . greatly affected, and much devoted to them; superstitiously mad about them, actually they gloried in them. Idols mean terrors, or terrible things; because their worshippers stood in fear of them.

Jer. 50:39 Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation. (KJV)

Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there . . . for more of these creatures, see (Isa.13:21-22).
And the owls shall dwell therein . . . so spiritual Babylon when fallen shall become the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird (Rev.18:2).
And it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation . . . interpreters say that this was gradually accomplished: it was taken by Cyrus, and made tributary to the Persians; the seat of the empire was removed from it; its walls were demolished by Darius; it was drained both of its inhabitants and its riches through Seleucus Nicator building the city near it (Dan.11:6-9).

Jer. 50:40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein. (KJV)

Repeated from: Jer. 49:18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it. (KJV) Also: Isa.13:19And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (KJV)

Jer. 50:41 Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. (KJV)

Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation . . . the Medes and Persians, whose country lay north of Babylon (verse 9).
And many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth . . . the kings of Ararat, Minni and Ashchenaz (Jer.51:27), and of the Armenians and other nations that Cyrus had subdued and brought with him in his army against Babylon. Ten kings shall be raised up against spiritual Babylon, and hate her, and burn her with fire (Rev.17:23).

Jer. 50:42 They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon. (KJV)

They shall hold the bow and the lance . . . the one weapon is offensive, the other a defensive weapon; if bow and lance, the one is used at a distance, the other when near. The Medes and Persians were well skilled in handling the bow, as once before observed: this very properly describes the armor of the Persians. Besides bows and arrows, they had two javelins or lances, one of which they cast, and the other they held and used in their hands, as they found necessary.
They are cruel, and will not show mercy . . . not even to infants, but dash them against the stones (Ps.137:8-9; Isa.13:16).
Their voice shall roar like the sea . . . when a tempest is on it. This does not mean the shout of the soldiers, when beginning the onset in battle, or making an attack upon a city besieged; but the noise of their march, their foot and horseback, and chariots, and the clashing of their army; all which, by reason of their numbers, would be very noisy and dreadful.
And they shall ride upon horses . . . the Persians had a large cavalry, for their country abounded in horses.
Everyone put in array like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon . . . furnished with armor, and put in a proper place, all in rank and file, well equipped and full of spirit, ready for battle with Babylon.

Jer. 50:43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail. (KJV)

The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them . . . Belshazzar had the report brought to him of the invasion of his land by them; of their approach to Babylon, and plan upon it; and of their number, character and force.
And his hands waxed feeble . . . just as they did when he saw the handwriting upon the wall (Dan.5:6).
Anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail . . . sudden panic seized him, and he was quite disheartened, as a woman in childbirth, when her pains come upon her, and there is no avoiding them. When those rushed in upon him, they found him standing up with his sword drawn, but unable to defend himself against such a mob as came in upon him.

Jer. 50:44 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? (KJV)

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan . . . Jer.49:19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? (KJV)  

Unto the habitation of the strong . . . to Babylon; where dwelt the king, his nobles, and his mighty men.
But I will make them suddenly run away from her . . . as they did from her king Belshazzar, when they entered the royal palace, and seized him.  
And who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? . . . such a one Cyrus was, who, by divine appointment, became master and governor of Babylon.
And who will appoint me the time? . . . to litigate the point with me in a court of judicature, or contend with me in battle.
And who is that shepherd that will stand before me? . . . shepherd or king . . . not Belshazzar, he could not stand before the LORD, there is no king that has strength before God! There is none to withstand Him, or hinder what He has appointed and ordered to be done.

Jer. 50:45 Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them. (KJV)

Therefore hear ye the counsel of the Lord that he hath taken against Babylon . . . the same is said in Jer.49:20, only, instead of Edom, Babylon is put here, and in the next clause,
And his purposes that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans; instead of the inhabitants of Teman, the land of the Chaldeans.
Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out . . . the weakest and most feeble in the army of Cyrus should be more than a match for any in Babylon, and should draw them out, and devour them, as dogs and wolves the sheep out of the flock.
Surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them . . .  Jer.49:20 Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: (KJV)

Jer. 50:46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations. (KJV)

We have much the same words spoken with reference to Edom (Jer.49:20). The words express the greatness of the destruction of Babylon, which would be such as would make all that part of the world shake, and the noise of it would ring through all the nations in that part of the Earth.
The cry is heard among the nations . . . in Edom's case it is: Jer.49:21 The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea. (KJV)

*****Jer.50:44-46 are repeated mainly from Jer.49:19-21.

Book of Jeremiah

Jer.Ch.1 . . Jer.Ch.2 . . Jer.Ch.3 . . Jer.Ch.4 . . Jer.Ch.5 . . Jer.Ch.6 . . Jer.Ch.7 . . Jer.Ch.8 . . Jer.Ch.9 . . Jer.Ch.10 . . Jer.Ch.11 . . Jer.Ch.12 . . Jer.Ch.13 . . Jer.Ch,14 . . Jer.Ch.15 . . Jer.Ch.16 . . Jer.Ch.17 . . Jer.Ch.18 . . Jer.Ch.19 . . Jer.Ch.20 . . Jer.Ch.21 . . Ch.22 . . Ch.23 . . Ch.24 . . Ch.25 . . Ch.26 . . Ch.27 . . Ch.28 . . Ch.29 . . Ch.30 . . Ch.31 . . Ch.32 . . Ch.33 . . Ch.34 . . Ch.35 . . Ch.36 . . Ch.37 . . Ch.38 . . Ch.39 . . Ch.40 . . Ch.41 . . Ch.42 . . Ch.43 . . Ch.44 . . Ch.45 . Ch.46 . . Ch.47 . . Ch.48 . . Ch.49 . . Ch. 50 . . Ch.51 . . Ch.52 . . Jer. End Times Signs . . Jer. Special Commemnts . . . Home Page