Jeremiah 50
DOYLYPekod.] Go up, ye Medes and Persians, against the territories of Babylon; even against the land of these proud “rebels,” against the land of those who have “visited” my people with the sword and merciless destruction. Bp. Hall. There is no certainty, and indeed little probability, that there were any places to which belonged the names in the text. Dr. Blayney. See the margin. 23. How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! That oppressive empire, “which smote the people with a continual stroke,” as it is described by Isaiah, chap. xiv. 6. W. Lowth.
— upon her mighty men; &c.] See the note on chap. li. 30. 37. — upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her;] Her auxiliaries, made up of several nations: see Exck. xxx. 5. W. Lowth. See the note on chap. li. 27.
&c.] Belshazzar was a weak and dissolute prince, and dismayed upon the first apprehension of danger, when he understood that Cyrus’s army laid siege to the city. See Dan. v. 6. W. Lowth.
Jeremiah 50:24
- I have laid a snare for thee, &c.] See the note on chap. li. 31.
Jeremiah 50:28
- The voice of them that flee &c.] Some of those, who were more than ordinarily zealous for the welfare of God’s Church and people, were ready, upon the first news of the taking of Babylon, to bring the glad tidings thereof into Judea, 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 chap. li. 51. W. Louth.
Jeremiah 50:30
- Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets.] Xenophon relates, that Gadatas and Gobryas with their soldiers, when they were got into the town, marched directly toward the palace, and killing all they met, became masters of the place, and slew the king himself. W. Louth.
Jeremiah 50:32
- — I will kindle a fire in his cities.] This may be meant of the destructions made in the Babylonian territories in the several expeditions which Cyrus undertook against that monarchy during the space of twenty years before the taking of Babylon; from the year before Christ 559, to the year 539. W. Louth.
Jeremiah 50:35
- A sword is upon—her princes.] Who were slain together with their king Belshazzar at a feast: see chap. li. 39; Dan. v. 2—30: “and upon her wise men;” who, though famous for their skill in astrology and the other arts of divination, could not foresee or prevent the dangers coming upon themselves in the common calamity. See Isa. xlvii. 13, 14. W. Lowth.
Jeremiah 50:36
- — upon the liars.] The false pretenders to the The judgment of Babylon. God’s severe judgment Before CHRIST 595. her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.
Jeremiah 50:38
- A drought is upon her waters; &c.] See the note on chap. li. 36.
Jeremiah 50:39
- Therefore the wild beasts of the desert &c.] See the notes on Isa. xiii. 20.
Jeremiah 50:42
- — they are cruel, and will not shew mercy:] Upon the second capture of Babylon, as soon as Darius had made himself master of the place, he ordered three thousand of the principal men of the city to be crucithat 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?
Jeremiah 50:44
- Behold, he shall come up &c.] He, that is, the invading army. See the notes on chap. xlix. 19—21. Chap. LI. ver. 1. — a destroying wind;] In allusion to the hot pestilential wind; as the Arabick version renders these words, which is frequent in those parts, and concerning which see the note on 2 Kings xix. 35. Before CHRIST 595. e Job 41. 10. ch. 49. 19. me to plead?