Jeremiah 50

Under the metaphor of a woman’s being false to her husband, God sets forth the idolatry both of Israel and Judah: he earnestly exhorts them to repentance, and promises, upon their repentance, in due time to receive them into favour. ARGUMENT., The occasion of Zedekiah’s message, mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, seems to be the Chaldeans raising the siege of Jerusalem, in order to meet the Egyptian army that was come to its relief: (see xxxvii. 5.) which gave Zedekiah hopes of deliverance from the Chaldeans, which were very much quashed by the return of that army, and renewing of the siege: hereupon Zedekiah inquires by messengers concerning the event of the war. (Compare ver. 9. of this chapter with xxxviii.2.) - The latter part of the chapter, from ver. 11. belongs to the same subject with the twenty-second chapter, and relates to the time of Jchoiakim. This and the following chapter contain a large description of the downfal of Babylon, and of that empire of which that city was the seat:. it follows the rest of the prophecies of Jereniiah against the neighbouring countries, according to the method of God’s judgments laid down before, xxv. 12, 13. where the prophet declares, that after Nebuchadnezzar and his successors had fulfilled God’s purposes, in being executioners of his vengeance upon other countries, they themselves should drink of the same cup. This prophecy has a farther aspect upon the mystical Babylon, mentioned in the Revelation, and many expressions of it are applied by St. John to the downfal of antichrist, as shall be more particularly observed under the several verses there referred to. Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces, &c] When God puuishcth an idolatrous nation, he asserts his own authority, to the contusion of all idols and their worshippers. (Sec the note on xliii. 12.) Bel is the same with Baal, a name common to the idols of the eastern countries, aud at first probably given to some of the heavenly bodies. Afterward, when the worship of the dcilicd men came into practice, Bel, or Bclus, tho idol of the Assyrians, is supposed to be tho same with Nimrod: and when Daniel saith that Nebuchadnezzar carried the vessels of the tcm: pic of Jerusalem into the house of Ms god, (Dan. i. 2.) he is generally supposed to mean the idol Bel; who was worshipped as the tutelar deity of that country. Merodach might be the name of one of their kings, that was afterward deified by his subjects. (See Isa. xxxix. 1.) Vcr. 3. For out of the north there coineth a nation against her.] Tho Medcs, who lay north of Babylon. (Sec ver. 9. 41. IVJdch shall make her land desolate.] See the noto upon ver. 40. Vcr. 4. In those days — the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Jndah together, going and weeping, &c] This may, in some sense, be meant of the Jews’ return from the captivity, upon tho destruction of the Babylonish monarchy. But I conceive this verse, among many others, is a proof that this prophecy has’a farther aspect upon that general restoration of the Jews, which should be the consequent of the dowufal of autichrist. For, first, here Israel and Judah arc spoken of as partakers of the same restoration of the Jews, aud reunited in the worship of the true God: a blessing not yet brought to pass, but reserved for aftcrtimes: (compare vcr. 10. sec the Argument upon chap. xxx. and the noto upon iil.lS.)and, in the second place, they arc described as weeping, and troubled with a true compunction for their former sins: another circumstance to be hereafter fulfilled. (Sec the note on xxxi. 9.) Vcr. 5. They shall ask the ivay to Zion with their faces thithenvard, &c.) The words allude to the custom of the Jews* going’ in companies up to Jerusalem at the solemn festivals. (Compare chap. xxxi. Isa. ii. 3.) Let its join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant.] The gospel is styled an eva lasting covenant, xxxii. 40. The Hebrew phrase is tho same in both places. The words may allude to that solemn covcViant Josiah and the people entered into after the general corruption of religion arid morality, which had overspread the nation under the Teign of Manassch. (Sec 2 Kings xxiii. 3.) Vcr. (>. My people have been lost sheep, their shepherds have caused them to go astray.] The rulers of my people, both civil and ecclesiastical, have been the occasion of their idolatry and other sins, by which they have gone astray from God’s commandments. (Sec the notes onii.8. and compare Ezck. xxxiv. 4 — G.) Tltey have turned them away on the mountains, &c] They have turned them aside from the right worship of God performed at Jerusalem, to sacrifice to idols upon the mountains and high places. (Sec ii, 20. iii. 23.) Vcr. 7. Tlieir adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the Lord.] The heathen took advantage against the Jews from those remarkable judgments God had brought upon his people; aud concluded from thence, that he cast them off utterly for their sins, and, being out of his protection, they might use them as they pleased. (Compare Isa. xlvii. ii. Zech. i. 15.) The habitation of justice.] A refuge and protection foT those that arc good and just: and, consequently, one that would not have cast off the Jews, if they had not first forsook him. (Compare Psal. xci. 1.) Vcr. S. Remove out of the midst of Babylon.] An exhortation often used by the prophets upon this subject; (sco li. G. 45. Isa. xlviii. 20. sec the notes there, lii. 11.) and renewed by St. John, Rev. xviii. 4. This exhortation Dr. Pridcaux supposes to relate to the siege of Babylon, carried on by Darius Ilystaspcs, in tho fifth and sixth years of his reign. Before which time God had warned the Jews, by their prophet Zcchariah, (ii. C, 7.) to flee out of Babylon, and to deliver themselves from the miseries that should befal that city during the siege. (See his Conncx. of Script. Hist. p. 1SS.) And be as the he-goats before the flocks.] Let every one strive to lead the way to others, and give them an example of speedily obeying God’s call, without shewing any fondness to the place, or the idolatries there practised. Vcr. 9. For, lo, Iivill raise and cause to come up against Babylon, an assembly of great nations from the north coim- Iry.] Sec vcr. 41. Ii. 27. Tlieir arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man, &c] See* vcr. 14..00. Isa. xiii. 18. Vcr. 10. All thai spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the Lord.] They shall revenge themselves upon her, and shall have as much spoil and plunder as they can desire. Vcr. II. Because ye were glad — O ye destroyers of the heritage^] Yc insulted over the miseries of my people, after you had destroyed them. Though the Chaldeans were the executors of God’s judgments upon the Jews; yet he punished them for what they did by his appointment, because they wxrc carried on purely by their own ambition and covetousness, though Providence directed their cruelties and oppressions to the fulfilling its own ends and purposes. In like manner, God threatens to punish the king of Assyria, after he had been the executioner of his judgments upon Jerusalem, Isa.x. 12. (Compare Isa. xlvii. 6.) Because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, &c.] The insolence and rudeness of oppressors is often compared to the “wantonness of full-fed cattle. (Sec Psal. xxii. 12. lxviii. 31. Amos iv.T.) For dasha, which our translation renders at grass, some read dosha, and understand it of an heifer that treads out the corn, and by being fed all that time, grows fat and wanton. (Sec Hos. x. 11.) Vcr. 12. Your mother shall be sore confounded.] Babylon, the metropolis, or mother-city of the empire. (Compare xlix. 2.) Behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, &c] The A^ulgar Latin renders the w r ords to this sense, Behold, she shall be the hindermost of the nations, a wilderness, Sec. (Scr. ver. 40.) Vcr. 13. Every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, &c] Sec the note on xviii. 1(1. Vcr. 14. All yc that bend the bow, shoot at her.] The Elamitcs were famous for their skill in archery: which people were part of Cyrus’s army. (Sec tlic note on xlix. 34, 35. sec vcr.- i). 29. 42.) For she hath sinned against the Lord.] She hath been in a remarkable manner an enemy to God’s truth and people. This may be especially appliedto mystical Babylon. (See ver. 29. 31.) yqr. 40. Some render it, from all parts, or from every quarter, as the word viiktse is rendered, Gen. xix. 4. Cast her yp as heaps.’] The word naremim properly signifies heaps of com; taking it in this sense, the marginal reading is to be preferred, Tread her as heaps; that is, as the corn is trodden down when it is thrashed. The phrase alludes to the way of thrashing used in the eastern parts of the world, which was to beat the wheat out of the husk, by drawing heavy drays or planks oyer it. (Seo tho noto upon Isa. xxviii. 28.) Destroy her utterly, &c] See ver 40.

Jeremiah 50:1

SlIALL not the land be greatly polluted?. The words allude to Deut. xxiv. 4. where it is said, that if a man take her to wife again, who had been divorced from him, it is such an abomination as causeth the land to sin. Such a practice would give encouragement to a community oftvives, which must produce all manner of uncleanness and confusion. But thou hast played the harlot with many lovers.] Thou hast entered into a confederacy with many foreigners; (sec rVlIEN king Zedekiah sent Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the so7i of Maaseiah the priest] This Pashur was a different person from him mentioned xx. 1. (See xxxviii. I.) Zephaniah is called the second priest, lii. 24. and 2 Kings xxv. 18. that is, he was the high-priest’s sagan, or deputy. (Compare Jer. xxix. 25.)

Jeremiah 50:2

Inquire, I pray thee, of the Lord for us. Compare xxxvii. 7. • If so be the Lord will deal tvith ns according to all his wondrous works.] If he will show his wonderful power, in giving us a total deliverance from the hands of our enemies the Chaldeans. (See the Argument of the chapter.) JlJECLARE ye amongst the nations andpublish.] The downfal of Babylon was an event in which many nations were concerned, that empire having been a common oppressor. Set up a, standard.] To call people together, and impart to them these good tidings. The destruction of Babylon would be likewise a sort of signal to the Jews, to assemble together in order to their return home: the time of their Captivity being then to expire.

Jeremiah 50:4

Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, &c. Compare xxxvii. 10. Instead of doing execution upon your enemies, they shall hurt yourselves, and be the occasion of your own destruction. God will as visibly appear against you, as if a miraculous wind were to drive back yoiir own artillery, and turn it upon yourselves; as the story is told of the discomfiture of.the tyrant Eugcnius’s army, that came against (he forces of the emperor Thcodosius. (See Soerat. Hist. Eceles. lib. v. cap. 25.)

Jeremiah 50:5

And I myself will fight against you. By the executioners of my wrath, the sword, the famine, and the pestilence. I will plainly appear on your enemies’ side, by the success I will give to their arms. Ver. G. They shall die of a ghat pestilence.] A great part of those that continue in the city during the siege shall die of the pestilence; though the sword and the famine shall likewise consume many, (See ver. 9.)

Jeremiah 50:7

He shall smite them with the edge of the sivord. Zedekiah himself was not put to death, but carried to Babylon, where he died. (Seexxiv.5.) But his sonsand his great men were slain by the command of Nebuchadnezzar. (See 2 Kings xxv. 7, 8.) It is common in all writers to express that indefinitely, which is true of the greater part of the persons concerned.

Jeremiah 50:9

But he that goeth out, and falleth to the Clialdeans — shall live. God had declared his purpose of giving up the Jews and the neighbouring countries to the dominion of the Chaldeans: (xxv. 9. xxvii. G.) so they who would comply with his declared will should have their lives, the rest should be destroyed as fighting against God. And his life shall be unto him as a prey, &c] He ought to think himself a considerable gainer by escaping with his life, in so general a destruction. (See xxxviii. 2. xxxix. 18. xlv. 5.) For in such a universal calamity, the. best men shall save but their own souls by their righteousness, as Ezckiel speaks, xiv.20.

Jeremiah 50:10

I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good. Compare xliv. 11. Amos ix. 4. God’s face is sometimes used for his anger, as it is in this and in the parallel texts.

Jeremiah 50:11

And touching the house of the king of Judah, Hear ye the ivord of the Lord. This belongs to the same subject with the twenty-second chapter, and should not have been parted from it. Compare this and the following verse with the first, second, and third verses of that chapter.:

Jeremiah 50:12

Execute judgment in the morning. The king was supreme judge in all causes and controversies; (see 2 Sam. viii. 15.) what some rabbins affirm, as if the king were subject to the judgment of the Sanhedrin, and might be punished by them, is said without any precedent in Holy Scripture, and is confuted by Casaub. Exercit. xiii. in Baronium, Numb. 5. and Salmasius, in his Dcfensio Rcgia, cap. 2. (Sec likewise Seldcn, do Synedr. lib. iii. cap. 9.) The courts of judicature usually sat in the morning. Sec Psal. ci. 8. where the Hebrew reads, In the morning, or, every morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the land. (Compare Job xxxviii. 13, 14.) Lest my fury go out like fire, &c] These words are an argument, that this prophecy was antecedent to that at the beginning of the chapter, ajid before that peremptory de-

Jeremiah 50:15

Shout against her roundabout.* As conquerors do when a city is taken. She hath given Iter hand.] She has submitted herself, and promised obedience to the conqueror. Giving the hand is a token of consenting to any conditions offered; (see 2 Kings x. 15. 1 Chron. xxix. 24. 2 Chron. xxx. 8. Ezrax. 10.) and was sometimes a ceremony used in taking an oath, to fulfil what is.required by a superior. (Compare Gen. xxiv. 2. Lam. v. 6. Ezek. xvii. 18.) Her foundations are fallen, her walls are throivn down.] See li. 58. As she hath done, do unto her.] See ver. -29.

Jeremiah 50:16

Cut off the sower from Babylon, &c. Babylon was more like a country walled in than a city: her walls being sixty miles in compass, as Herodetus testifies: fortyeight miles according to Strabo, (lib. xvi. p. 738.) Within this large circuit, a great deal of ground was taken up in corn-fields. So that they had corn sufficient growing within the walls to maintain a siege, as Q. Curtius affirms, (lib. v. cap. 1.) Whereupon the husbandmen suffered as well as others, in a general destruction of the inhabitants: which our learned Dr. Prideaux refers to the taking of Babylon by Darius Hystaspes, after a siege of twenty months. (See his Connex. of Script. Hist. p. 187, &c.) Where he applies several parts of this prophecy, relating to the utter overthrow of Babylon, to this reduction of it: for there is no necessity of supposing the destruction of Babylon here foretold should come to pass all together. The prophet only. foretelling what should be the conclusion of God’s judgments upon that place. The same learned writer observes, that the punishment of Babylon kept pace with the restauration of the Jews. And as there are two ways of computing the seventy years of the Jewish captivity, one used by Jeremiah, the other by t Zechariah: (see the note on xxv. 11.) so, if we reckpn these seventy years ended in the fourth year of Darius, as Zechariah does, the desolation of Babylon was in a great measure completed about the same time. For fear of the oppressing sword, they shall turn every one to his people, &c] This is spoken of the Babylonish alties. (Compare xlvi. 15. lsa. xiii. 14.).'.

Jeremiah 50:17

Israel is a scattered sheep, the lions have driven him away. Compare ver. 6. As a lion coming among a flock of sheep scatters them one from another; so have these foreign invaders, elsewhere compared to lions,. (see ii. 15. v. 6.) served my people: first Shalmaneser carried away the ten. tribes, and then the king of Babylon made a final destruction of the whole nation.

Jeremiah 50:18

I have punished the king of Assyria. This may most probably be understood of the destruction of Nineveh, the chief scat of the Assyrian empire, by Nebuchadnezzar and A hasuerus, or Astyagcs, as it is related in Tobit, xiv. 5. At the taking of this great city, foretold by Jonah, Nahum, and Zcphaniah, Chynaladanus, the last king of the Assyrian race, was killed: and the seat and title of the empire removed to Babylon, which was no longer called the Assyrian, but the Babylonian monarchy. (See Dr. Prideaux, p. 47, 48.)

Jeremiah 50:19

And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, &c. I will take vol. in. care of them as a shepherd does of his flock, and restore them to their ancient habitations, and their former peace and plenty. As several parts of this prophecy relate to that mystical Babylon, whose destruction is foretold Rev. xviii. so these promises of grace and favour to the Jewish nation, are chiefly to be’ understood of the general restoration of the Jewish nation, which we may expect after the downfal of the antichristian empire. (Compare xxxiii; 12. Isa. lxv. 13. Ezek. xxxiv. 13, 14.)

Jeremiah 50:20

In those days — the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none: and the sins ofJudah, and they shall not be found. I will be perfectly reconciled to them, as ifthey had never offended. The Hebrew language expresses the utter ceasing of any thing, by seeking and not finding it. (See Psal. x. 15. xxxviii. 36. Isa. xli. 12.) Israel and Judah are here joined together, as ver. 4. (See the note there.) -..•..-.. I will pardon them whom I reserve.] In all the judgments God brings upon his people, he still promises to reserve a remnant. (See the note on xliv. 14. and on Isa. i. 9.)’ St. Paul calls it a remnant according to the election of grace, Rom. xi. 5. This.place is chiefly to be understood of that remnant of the Jews, which should be converted in the latter times of the world, when the unbelievers and incorrigible shall be destroyed. (Compare li. 50. Isa. xlv. 20. Amos ix. 9, 10. see the notes upon Isa. iv. 2.).

Jeremiah 50:21

Go up against the land of Merathaim. Or, of rebels, as the margin expounds the word. Others understand by it that part of the Babylonian dominions called Mardi by the heathen writers. This command is directed to Cyrus and his confederates. And against the inhabitants of Pekod.] This was a country belonging to the Babylonian empire: (see -Ezek. xxiii. 23.) it is mentioned here, because the word signifies visitation., This being the time when God will visit Babylon. (See ver. 27. 31. and the note upon xlviii. 2.) < i Waste and utterly destroy them.] Or, Destroy their posterity. Cut off from Babylon the name and remnant, as God threatens in the parallel prophecy, Isa. xiv. 22. The word ahar signifies the same with aharith, which commonly denotes posterity. (See Dan. xi. 4.) Do according to all that I have commanded thee.]’ Those persons whom God raises up to fulfil the decrees of his providence are said to perform his commands; (see xxxiv. 22. Isa. x. 6.) and therefore are called his servants.- (See xxv. 9. xxvii. 6.) Such a commission was, in a particular manner, given to Cyrus by the prophet Isaiah, xliv. 28; xlv. 11. xlviii. 14.

Jeremiah 50:23

How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken!. That oppressive empire which smote the nations with a. continual stroke, us it is described, Isa. xiv. G.

Jeremiah 50:24

I have laid a snare for thee; and thou art also taken, O Babylon. Cyrus took the city by surprise, and unexpected, by. draining the river Euphrates. (See ver. 38. compare li. 8.)’ ♦

Jeremiah 50:25

The Lord hath opened Us armoury, &c. He hatli raised up enemies to subdue the Chaldeans, Cyrus and. his confederates: and hath furnished them with all necessary provisions for such an undertaking. Ver. 2G. Come against her from the utmost border.] From distant parts, from the ends of the earth, as it is expressed 4R

Jeremiah 50:27

Tlie voice of them that flee and escape out of the laud of Babylon, &c. Some of those that were more than ordinary zealous for the welfare of GotJ’s church and people, were ready upon the first news of the taking of Babylon to bring the glad tidings thereof into Judca, how God had avenged the cause of his people, and executed his judgments on those who destroyed his temple, and profaned the holy vessels of it that were dedicated to his service. (See Dan v. 1 — 3. 5. 30. and compare li. 51.) [Ver. 29. Call together the arcliers against Babylon.’] This is chiefly meant of the Elamites, who were famous archers, and were part of Cyrus’s army which he brought against Babylon. Seexlix. 3,4.35. and tho note there, compared with Isa. xxi. 2.] Recompense her according to her works.] Which will be a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, as St. Paul speaks, 2 Thess. i. 5. at which all good men ought to rejoice, to express their approbation of it, and give glory to God when they see it done. (Compare Rev. xviii. 6. Psal. xxviii. 4. lviii. 9, 10.) For she hath been proud against the Lord.] See ver.

Jeremiah 50:30

Therefore sJuxll her young men be cut off in the streets. Xenophon relates, (lib. vii.) that Gadatas and Gobryas, with their soldiers, when they were got into the (own, marched directly towards the palace, and killing all they met, became masters of the place, and slew the king himself.

Jeremiah 50:31

Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud. Who hast been proud against the Lord, (ver. 29.) and exalted thyself against God, saying, I am; and there is none besides me. (See Isa. xlvii. 7, 8. and the notes upon that place.) J* [Ver. 32. J will kindle a fire in his cities.] This may be meant of the destructions made in the Babylonian territories in the several expeditions Cyrus undertook against that monarchy, during the space of twenty years before the taking of Babylon. Sec Dr. Prideaux, from the year before Christ 559, to the year 539.]

Jeremiah 50:33

The children of Israel, and the children offudah were oppressed together. It was the same government that oppressed them both, though under different denominations.: sometimes called the kingdom of Assyria, and afterward the kingdom of Babylon: the latter succeeded the former in its oppression, as well as in its empire. Ver; 34. TJieir Redeemer i$ strong; the Lord.of hosts is his name*] God will thoroughly plead the cause of his injured truth and people. (Seothenoteonvcr.il.) This will be more remarkably fulfilled in the destruction of mystical Babylon. (Compare Isa. xlvii. 4. Rev. xviii. 8.)

Jeremiah 50:35

A sword is upon her princes. Who were slain, [chap. l. (See li. 39. together with their king Bclshazzar, at a feast. Dan. v. 2. 30.) A sword is upon her wise men.] The Chaldeans were famous for their skill in astrology and other arts of divination: and yet the learned, in these sciences were not able to foresee or prevent the dangers coming upon themselves in the common calamity. (Sec Isa. xlvii. 13, 14.)

Jeremiah 50:36

A sword is upon the liars, and they shall dote. The falsa pretenders to the knowledge of what is to come. Compare xlviii. 30. Isa. xliv. 25. where the prophet, speaking of the Chaldeans, saith, He frustratelh the tokens of the liars [baddim in the Hebrew is the same word that is used here], and maketh diviners mad. Ibid, and

Jeremiah 50:37

A sword is upon Iter mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. A sword is upon Iter horses, &c. See the notes on li. 30. A sword is upon her mingled people, that are in the midst of her.] Her auxiliaries, made up of several nations. (Seo Ezek. xxx. 5.) And they shall be as women.] Sec the note on xlviii. 41. A sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.] They shall be a prey to such as come with sword in hand to rifle them: as Solon said to Croesus, who byway of ostentation shewed him his treasures, " Sir, if any one come that has better iron than you, he will be master of all your gold.” (Compare Isa. xlv. 3. and see the note there.)

Jeremiah 50:38

A drought is upon her waters, and tJiey shall be dried up. God opened away for Cyrus to take Babylon, by suggesting to him a method of draining the river Euphrates, and making it passable for his army. (Compare li. 36. Isa. xliv. 27.) For it is the land of graven images, &c] This vengeance comes upon them, because they have been the great encouragers and supporters of idolatry. (Sec ver. 2. li. 44. 47. 52.) And the executioners of the Divine judgments were the Persians, who, in opposition to the Sabeans, whose notions the Chaldeans, embraced, followed the ancient discipline of the magi, or wise men among them, and had neither altars nor images: as Strabo testifies, lib. xv. The same thing is affirmed by Herodotus also, whose words are quoted in Origcn’s seventh book against Celsus, p. 373. (See likewise Dr. Prideaux’a Connex. of Script. Hist, p. 177, &c.) And they are mad upon tlieir idols.] It looks as if men had lost the use of their reason, that they should place the whole of their religion in image-worship, and put an extraordinary value upon one image more than another. So as to deck them with the most costly ornaments, and make. long pilgrimages and processions to them. For which reason idolatry is called in Scripture by the name of sorcery and witchcraft.

Jeremiah 50:39

Tlierefore the wild beasts of the desert, with the wild beasts of the islands, shall dwell there, &c. The desolation of Babylon is expressed in much the same words, Isa. xiii. 21. compare xxxiv. 11.15. of the same prophecy, and Rev. xviii. 2. St Jerome assures us, in his commentary upon the parallel text of Isaiah, that, in his time, the place where Babylon stood was turned into a park, where the kiug of Persia used to hunt..

Jeremiah 50:40

As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, &c. See Isa. xiii. 19. xlvii. 5. and the notes there. Upon the