Jeremiah 51

1 in the midst of them that rise up against Me. Perhaps, as R.V., “in Leb-kamai.” After the method of the cryptogram in xxv. 26, this Hebrew word represents Caadim, or “Chaldeans.”

2 fanners. Who would fan or winnow her.

7. Babylon hath been a golden cup, etc. Cp. xxv. 15, 16. The epithet “golden” indicates the wealth and splendour of Babylon: see the spiritual application of the words, Rev. xvii. 4, 5.

9. We would have healed Babylon. The appeal to her allies (or, perhaps, to the Jewish exiles in Babylon) in the preceding verse, and this their reply, forcibly show the hopelessness of her restoration.

10 our righteousness. The justice of our cause.

11. Make bright the arrows. “Make sharp the arrows.”

gather the shields. The Hebrew word translated “gather” really means “fill.” The idea is to put on the shields.

12 upon the walls. Rather, “against the walls” (R.V.). The address is to the besiegers.

the ambushes. See note on i. 24.

13 many waters. The Euphrates and its numerous canals, which passed through and near the city.

20 battle axe. As the verbs are in the past tense in Hebrew, they should be rendered, “I have broken in pieces,” “I have destroyed,” etc.; and thus they apply to Babylon: cp. Isa. x. 5, 15. Some, however, regard them as the prophetic past, and refer them to the future and to Cyrus.

25. O destroying mountain. Lit., “mountain of destruction.” The Mount of Olives, when defiled by idolatry, is called by the same name (2 Kings xxiii. 13). A similar phrase occurs in Prov. xxviii. 24, “man of destruction,” i.e., destroyer. Lange (Commentary) thinks that the reference is to the destroying influence of Babylon in spiritual relations.

27. Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz. The mountainous countries towards the Caucasus and the Black Sea.

the rough caterpillars (locusts). Representing the bristling spears of the riders.

30 have forborne. Have ceased; giving up their cause as lost.

her bars. Her “bars of iron”: see Isa. xiv. 2. 31 at [one] end. Or, “on every quarter” (R.V.). Herodotus (i. 191) states that, owing to the great extent of Babylon, those who dwelt in the outskirts were taken prisoners by the Persians before the people in the centre of the city knew of the attack.

32 are stopped. Rather, “are taken.” The “passages” are probably the ferries across the river, which would naturally be guarded. But the channel of the river being dried, and the reeds or palisades burnt, to clear the way, the city was captured.

33. The daughter of Babylon, etc. Rather, “The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing-floor at the time when it is trodden” (R.V.). See notes on Isa. xxi. 10; xli. 15.

34 hath devoured me, etc. The speaker is “the inhabitant of Zion”: see next verse.

35 her sea. “Probably the great lake dug by Nitocris to receive the waters of the Euphrates” (Payne-Smith); see Herodotus, i. 185.

37 dragons. “Jackals,” as R.V.

39 in their heat. i.e., while they are heated with wine, I will prepare for them another sort of wine—the wine of my indignation: see note on Isa. xxi. 4.

41. Sheshach. “Babel”: see xxv. 26, and note.

42. The sea is come up, etc. The country is inundated with invaders.

44 that which he hath swallowed up. i.e., the riches of his temple, consisting of the spoils of conquered countries; especially the sacred vessels from Jerusalem, which had been placed there.

46. And lest your heart faint, etc. Rather, “And let not your heart faint, nor fear ye,” etc.: see R.V. The prophet gives to the Jews the signs of Babylon’s approaching end, as our Lord gave His disciples signs of the end of the Jewish state: see Matt. xxiv. 6-22. The chief sign is that of internal commotions and revolts in the different parts of the empire.

48 shall sing for Babylon. Shall rejoice over her ruin: “shall sing for joy over Babylon,” R.V.

49. As Babylon [hath caused] the slain, etc. Or, “Both Babylon is to fall, O ye slain of Israel; and with Babylon shall fall the slain of all the country”: see R.V., marg.

50 afar off. “From afar” (R.V.), i.e., while still in Babylon. Set free, bethink yourselves of your proper home, and set out on your return.

51. We are confounded (ashamed), etc. The reply of the exiles.

55 hath spoiled . . . and destroyed. Rather, as R.V., “spoileth . . . destroyeth.”

when her waves do roar, etc. “The noise of their voice is uttered”: refers to that of the invaders, silencing “the great voice” of the city; i.e., the hum of city life in days of peace.

58. The broad walls of Babylon. There were two walls. According to Herodotus, there was space enough for a four-horsed chariot to drive along between them. See Babylonian Life and History by Sir E. Wallis Budge (1925, pp. 67, 68).

VENS. 59-64. These verses form an appendix to the prophecy concerning Babylon, and describe the method of its communication to the exiled Jews. The oracle was not to be communicated at once to all the people, but to one individual (ep. xxx.).

59 when he went with Zedekiah. Nothing more is known of this journey, which may have been to render homage.

a quiet prince. Lit., “prince of the resting-place.” Probably marshal of the caravan, who arranged the halting-places (“quartermaster,” R.V. marg.). The French version has “principal chambellan,” “principal chamberlain”).

61 and shalt see, and shalt read, etc. Rather, “then see that thou read all these words, and say,” etc.

64. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah. This note is appended, probably to show that the next chapter is by a different hand.