125 lines
23 KiB
HTML
125 lines
23 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script type="text/javascript">
|
|
PriorBook = 'Isaiah';
|
|
PriorBookURL = './Comm/jfb/Isa/Isa000.html';
|
|
PriorChapter = 'Jeremiah 49';
|
|
PriorChapterURL = './Comm/jfb/Jer/Jer049.html';
|
|
NextBook = 'Lamentations';
|
|
NextBookURL = './Comm/jfb/Lam/Lam000.html';
|
|
NextChapter = 'Jeremiah 51';
|
|
NextChapterURL = './Comm/jfb/Jer/Jer051.html';
|
|
Title = 'The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah';
|
|
SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
|
|
SubTitle2 = '';
|
|
SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER 50';
|
|
SubTitle3Cased = 'Chapter 50';
|
|
Author = ' Jamieson, Fausset & Brown';
|
|
imageMasthead = 'jfb.gif';
|
|
authorCite = 'Robert Jamieson; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown';
|
|
</script>
|
|
<script src="./js/Comms/JFB.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
</head><body>
|
|
<p id="Chapter50" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 50
|
|
<p id="Jer50_1"><a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,'1-46');">Jer 50:1-46</a>. BABYLON'S COMING DOWNFALL; ISRAEL'S REDEMPTION.
|
|
<p>After the predictions of judgment to be inflicted on other nations by Babylon, follows this one against Babylon itself, the longest prophecy, consisting of one hundred verses. The date of utterance was the fourth year of Zedekiah, when Seraiah, to whom it was committed, was sent to Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,59,60);">Jer 51:59-60</a>). The repetitions in it make it likely that it consists of prophecies uttered at different times, now collected by Jeremiah to console the Jews in exile and to vindicate God's ways by exhibiting the final doom of Babylon, the enemy of the people of God, after her long prosperity. The style, imagery, and dialogues prove its genuineness in opposition to those who deny this. It shows his faithfulness; though under obligation to the king of Babylon, he owed a higher one to God, who directed him to prophesy against Babylon.
|
|
<p><b>1.</b> Compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',45,'1-');">Isa 45:1</a> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',46,'all');">-</a> <a onclick="return mV('Isa',47,'1-15');">47:15</a>. But as the time of fulfilment drew nearer, the prophecies are now proportionally more distinct than then.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_2"><b>2. Declare...among...nations</b>—who would rejoice at the fall of Babylon their oppressor.
|
|
<br><br><b>standard</b>—to indicate the place of meeting to the nations where they were to hear the good news of Babylon's fall [ROSENMULLER]; or, the signal to summon the nations together against Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,12);">Jer 51:12, 27</a>, <a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,27);">27</a>), [MAURER].
|
|
<br><br><b>Bel</b>—the tutelary god of Babylon; the same idol as the Phoenician Baal, that is, lord, the sun (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',46,1);">Isa 46:1</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>confounded</b>—because unable to defend the city under their protection.
|
|
<br><br><b>Merodach</b>—another Babylonian idol; meaning in Syria "little lord"; from which Merodach-baladan took his name.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_3"><b>3. a nation</b>—the Medes, north of Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,48);">Jer 51:48</a>). The devastation of Babylon here foretold includes not only that by Cyrus, but also that more utter one by Darius, who took Babylon by artifice when it had revolted from Persia, and mercilessly slaughtered the inhabitants, hanging four thousand of the nobles; also the final desertion of Babylon, owing to Seleucia having been built close by under Seleucus Nicanor.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_4"><b>4.</b> Fulfilled only in part when some few of the ten tribes of "Israel" joined Judah in a "covenant" with God, at the restoration of Judah to its land (<a onclick="return mV('Neh',9,38);">Neh 9:38</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Neh',10,29);">10:29</a>). The full event is yet to come (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',31,9);">Jer 31:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',1,11);">Hsa 1:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',12,10);">Zec 12:10</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>weeping</b>—with joy at their restoration beyond all hope; and with sorrow at the remembrance of their sins and sufferings (<a onclick="return mV('Ezr',3,12,13);">Ezr 3:12-13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',126,5,6);">Psa 126:5-6</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>seek...Lord</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',3,5);">Hsa 3:5</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_5"><b>5. thitherward</b>—rather, "hitherward," Jeremiah's prophetical standpoint being at Zion. "Faces hitherward" implies their steadfastness of purpose not to be turned aside by any difficulties on the way.
|
|
<br><br><b>perpetual covenant</b>—in contrast to the old covenant "which they brake" (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',31,31);">Jer 31:31</a>, etc. <a onclick="return mV('Jer',32,40);">Jer 32:40</a>). They shall return to their God first, then to their own land.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_6"><b>6.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',53,6);">Isa 53:6</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>on the mountains</b>—whereon they sacrificed to idols (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,20);">Jer 2:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',3,6,23);">3:6, 23</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>resting-place</b>—for the "sheep," continuing the image; <i>Jehovah</i> is the resting-place of His sheep (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,28);">Mat 11:28</a>). They rest in His "bosom" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,11);">Isa 40:11</a>). Also <i>His temple</i> at Zion, their "rest," because it is His (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',132,8, 14);">Psa 132:8, 14</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_7"><b>7. devoured</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',79,7);">Psa 79:7</a>). "Found them" implies that they were exposed to the attacks of those whoever happened to meet them.
|
|
<br><br><b>adversaries said</b>—for instance, Nebuzara-dan (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',40,2,3);">Jer 40:2-3</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Zec',11,5);">Zec 11:5</a>). The Gentiles acknowledged some supreme divinity. The Jews' guilt was so palpable that they were condemned even in the judgment of heathens. Some knowledge of God's peculiar relation to Judea reached its heathen invaders from the prophets (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,3);">Jer 2:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',9,16);">Dan 9:16</a>); hence the strong language they use of Jehovah here, not as worshippers of Him themselves, but as believing Him to be the tutelary God <i>of Judah</i> ("the hope of <i>their</i> fathers," <a onclick="return mV('Psa',22,4);">Psa 22:4</a>; they do not say <i>our</i> hope), as each country was thought to have its <i>local god,</i> whose power extended no farther.
|
|
<br><br><b>habitation</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',90,1);">Psa 90:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',91,1);">91:1</a>). Alluding to the tabernacle, or, as in <a onclick="return mV('Eze',34,14);">Eze 34:14</a>, "fold," which carries out the image in <a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,6);">Jer 50:6</a>, "resting-place" of the "sheep." But it can only mean "habitation" (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',31,23);">Jer 31:23</a>), which confirms <i>English Version</i> here.
|
|
<br><br><b>hope of their fathers</b>—This especially condemned the Jews that their apostasy was from that God whose faithfulness their fathers had experienced. At the same time these "adversaries" unconsciously use language which corrects their own notions. The covenant with the Jews' "fathers" is not utterly set aside by their sin, as their adversaries thought; there is still "a habitation" or refuge for them with the God <i>of their fathers.</i>
|
|
<p id="Jer50_8"><b>8.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,6, 45);">Jer 51:6, 45</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',48,20);">Isa 48:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',2,6,7);">Zec 2:6-7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',18,4);">Rev 18:4</a>). Immediately avail yourselves of the opportunity of escape.
|
|
<br><br><b>be as...he-goats before...flocks</b>—Let each try to be foremost in returning, animating the weak, as he-goats lead the flock; such were the companions of Ezra (<a onclick="return mV('Ezr',1,5,6);">Ezr 1:5-6</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_9"><b>9. from thence</b>—that is, from the north country.
|
|
<br><br><b>expert</b>—literally, "prosperous." Besides "might," "expertness" is needed, that an arrow may do execution. The <i>Margin</i> has a different <i>Hebrew</i> reading; "destroying," literally, "bereaving, childless-making" (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',15,7);">Jer 15:7</a>). The <i>Septuagint</i> and <i>Syriac</i> support <i>English Version.</i>
|
|
<br><br><b>In vain</b>—without killing him at whom it was aimed (<a onclick="return mV('2Sa',1,22);">2Sa 1:22</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_11"><b>11.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',47,6);">Isa 47:6</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>grown fat</b>—and so, skip wantonly.
|
|
<br><br><b>at grass</b>—fat and frisky. But there is a disagreement of gender in <i>Hebrew</i> reading thus. The <i>Keri</i> is better: "a heifer <i>threshing</i>"; the strongest were used for threshing, and as the law did not allow their mouth to be muzzled in threshing (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',25,4);">Deu 25:4</a>), they waxed wanton with eating.
|
|
<br><br><b>bellow as bulls</b>—rather, "neigh as <i>steeds,</i>" literally, "strong ones," a poetical expression for <i>steeds</i> (see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Jer/Jer008.html#Jer8_16">Jer 8:16</a>) [MAURER].
|
|
<p id="Jer50_12"><b>12. Your mother</b>—Babylon, the metropolis of the empire.
|
|
<br><br><b>hindermost</b>—marvellous change, that Babylon, once the queen of the world, should be now the hindermost of nations, and at last, becoming "a desert," cease to be a nation!
|
|
<p id="Jer50_13"><b>13.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,20);">Isa 13:20</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_14"><b>14.</b> Summons to the Median army to attack Babylon.
|
|
<br><br><b>against the Lord</b>—By oppressing His people, their cause is His cause. Also by profaning His sacred vessels (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',5,2);">Dan 5:2</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_15"><b>15. Shout</b>—Inspirit one another to the onset with the battle cry.
|
|
<br><br><b>given...hand</b>—an idiom for, "submitted to" the conquerors (<a onclick="return mV('1Ch',29,24);">1Ch 29:24</a>, <i>Margin;</i> <a onclick="return mV('Lam',5,6);">Lam 5:6</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>as she hath done, do unto her</b>—just retribution in kind. She had destroyed many, so must she be destroyed (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',137,8);">Psa 137:8</a>). So as to spiritual Babylon (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',18,6);">Rev 18:6</a>). This is right because "it is the vengeance <i>of the Lord</i>"; but this will not justify <i>private</i> revenge in kind (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',5,44);">Mat 5:44</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',12,'19-21');">Rom 12:19-21</a>); even the Old Testament law forbade this, though breathing a sterner spirit than the New Testament (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',23,4,5);">Exd 23:4-5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Pro',25,21,22);">Pro 25:21-22</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_16"><b>16.</b> Babylon had the extent rather of a nation than of a city. Therefore grain was grown within the city wall sufficient to last for a long siege [ARISTOTLE, <i>Politics,</i> 3.2; PLINY, 18.17]. Conquerors usually spare agriculturists, but in this case <i>all</i> alike were to be "cut off."
|
|
<br><br><b>for fear of...oppressing sword</b>—because of the sword of the oppressor.
|
|
<br><br><b>every one to his people</b>—from which they had been removed to Babylon from all quarters by the Chaldean conquerors (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,9);">Jer 51:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,14);">Isa 13:14</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_17"><b>17. lions</b>—hostile kings (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,7);">Jer 4:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,19);">49:19</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>Assyria</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',17,6);">2Ki 17:6</a>, Shalmaneser; <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',4,2);">Ezr 4:2</a>, Esar-haddon).
|
|
<br><br><b>Nebuchadnezzar</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',24,10,14);">2Ki 24:10, 14</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_18"><b>18. punish...king of Babylon</b>—Nabonidus, or Labynitus.
|
|
<br><br><b>as...punished...Assyrian</b>—Sennacherib and other kings [GROTIUS] (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',19,37);">2Ki 19:37</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_19"><b>19.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',65,10);">Isa 65:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',34,13,14);">Eze 34:13-14</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_20"><b>20.</b> The specification of "Israel," as well as Judah, shows the reference is to times yet to come.
|
|
<br><br><b>iniquity...none</b>—not merely idolatry, which ceased among the Jews ever since the Babylonian captivity, but chiefly their rejection of Messiah. As in a cancelled debt, it shall be as if it had never been; God, for Christ's sake, shall treat them as innocent (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',31,34);">Jer 31:34</a>). Without cleansing away of sin, remission of punishment would be neither to the honor of God nor to the highest interests of the elect.
|
|
<br><br><b>whom I reserve</b>—the elect "remnant" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',1,9);">Isa 1:9</a>). The "residue" (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',14,2);">Zec 14:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',13,8,9);">13:8-9</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_21"><b>21. Merathaim</b>—a symbolical name for Babylon, the doubly rebellious, namely, against God. Compare <a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,24);">Jer 50:24</a>, "thou hast striven against the Lord"; and <a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,29);">Jer 50:29</a>, "proud against the Lord." The "doubly" refers to: first, the <i>Assyrian's</i> oppression of Israel; next, the kindred <i>Chaldean's</i> oppression of Judah (compare <a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,'17-20',33);">Jer 50:17-20, 33</a>; especially <a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,18);">Jer 50:18</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>Pekod</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',23,23);">Eze 23:23</a>); a chief province of Assyria, in which Nineveh, now overthrown, once lay. But, as in Merathaim, the allusion is to the meaning of <i>Pekod,</i> namely, "visitation"; the inhabitants whose time of deserved visitation in punishment is come; not, however, without reference to the now Babylonian province, Pekod. The visitation on Babylon was a following up of that on Assyria.
|
|
<br><br><b>after them</b>—even <i>their posterity,</i> and all that is still left of Babylon, until the very name is extinct [GROTIUS]. Devastate the city, <i>after</i> its inhabitants have deserted it.
|
|
<br><br><b>all...I...commanded</b>—by Isaiah (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,1);">Isa 13:1</a>, etc.).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_22"></a>
|
|
<p id="Jer50_23"><b>23. hammer</b>—that is, Babylon, so called because of its ponderous destructive power; just as "Martel," that is, "a little hammer," was the surname of a king of the Franks (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,6);">Isa 14:6</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_24"><b>24. I</b>—Thou hast to do with God, not merely with men.
|
|
<br><br><b>taken...not aware</b>—HERODOTUS relates that one half of the city was taken before those in the other half were "aware" of it. Cyrus turned the waters of the Euphrates where it was defended into a different channel, and so entered the city by the dried-up channel at night, by the upper and lower gates (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',5,30,31);">Dan 5:30-31</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_25"><b>25. weapons of his indignation</b>—the Medes and Persians (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,5);">Isa 13:5</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_26"><b>26. from the utmost border</b>—namely, of the earth. Or, from all sides LUDOVICUS DE DIEU].
|
|
<br><br><b>storehouses</b>—or, "her houses filled with men and goods" [MICHAELIS]. When Cyrus took it, the provisions found there were enough to have lasted for many years.
|
|
<br><br><b>as heaps</b>—make of the once glorious city <i>heaps</i> of ruins. Vast mounds of rubbish now mark the site of ancient Babylon. "Tread her as heaps of corn which are wont to be trodden down in the threshing-floor" [GROTIUS].
|
|
<p id="Jer50_27"><b>27. bullocks</b>—that is, princes and strong warriors (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',46,21);">Jer 46:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',22,12);">Psa 22:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',34,7);">Isa 34:7</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>go down to...slaughter</b>—The slaughterhouses lay low beside the river; therefore it is said, "go down"; appropriate to Babylon on the Euphrates, the avenue through which the slaughterers entered the city.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_28"><b>28. declare in Zion...temple</b>—Some Jews "fleeing" from Babylon at its fall shall tell in Judea how God avenged the cause of Zion and her temple that had been profaned (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',52,13);">Jer 52:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',1,2);">Dan 1:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',5,2);">5:2</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_29"><b>29. archers</b>—literally, "very many and powerful"; hence the <i>Hebrew</i> word is used of <i>archers</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',16,13);">Job 16:13</a>) from the multitude and force of their arrows.
|
|
<br><br><b>according to all that she hath done</b>—(See on ' JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Jer/Jer050.html#Jer50_15">Jer 50:15</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>proud against the Lord</b>—not merely cruel towards men (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',47,10);">Isa 47:10</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_30"><b>30.</b> (See on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Jer/Jer049.html#Jer49_26">Jer 49:26</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>in the streets</b>—The Babylonians were so discouraged by having lost some battles that they retired within their walls and would not again meet Cyrus in the field.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_31"><b>31. most proud</b>—literally, "pride"; that is, man of pride; the king of Babylon.
|
|
<br><br><b>visit</b>—punish (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',50,27);">Jer 50:27</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_33"><b>33. Israel and...Judah were oppressed</b>—He anticipates an objection, in order to answer it: Ye have been, no doubt, "oppressed," therefore ye despair of deliverance; but, remember your "Redeemer is strong," and therefore can and will deliver you.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_34"><b>34. strong</b>—as opposed to the power of Israel's oppressor (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',18,8);">Rev 18:8</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>plead...cause</b>—as their advocate. Image from a court of justice; appropriate as God delivers His people not by mere might, but by <i>righteousness.</i> His plea against Satan and all their enemies is His own everlasting love, reconciling mercy and justice in the Redeemer's work and person (<a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,9);">Mic 7:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',3,'1-5');">Zec 3:1-5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,1);">1Jo 2:1</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>give rest...disquiet</b>—There is a play on the similarity of sounds in the two <i>Hebrew</i> verbs to express more vividly the contrast: "that He may give quiet to the land of Judah (heretofore disquieted by Babylon); but disquiet to the inhabitants of Babylon" (heretofore quietly secure) (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,'6-8');">Isa 14:6-8</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_35"><b>35-37.</b> The repetition of "A sword" in the beginning of each verse, by the figure <i>anaphora,</i> heightens the effect; the reiterated judgment is universal; the same sad stroke of the sword is upon each and all connected with guilty Babylon.
|
|
<br><br><b>wise men</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',47,13);">Isa 47:13</a>). Babylon boasted that it was the peculiar seat of wisdom and wise men, especially in astronomy and astrology.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_36"><b>36. liars</b>—Those whom he before termed "wise men," he here calls "liars" (impostors), namely, the astrologers (compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',44,25);">Isa 44:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,'21-25');">Rom 1:21-25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,20);">1Cr 1:20</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_37"><b>37. as women</b>—divested of all manliness (<a onclick="return mV('Nah',3,13);">Nah 3:13</a>).
|
|
<p id="Jer50_38"><b>38. drought</b>—Altering the pointing, this verse will begin as the three previous verses, "A sword." However, all the pointed manuscripts read, "A drought," as <i>English Version.</i> Cyrus turned off the waters of the Euphrates into a new channel and so marched through the dried-up bed into the city (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,32);">Jer 51:32</a>). Babylonia once was famed for its corn, which often yielded from one to two hundredfold [HERODOTUS]. This was due to its network of water-courses from the Euphrates for irrigation, traces of which [LAYARD] are seen still on all sides, but dry and barren (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',44,27);">Isa 44:27</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>their idols</b>—literally, "terrors." They are mad after idols that are more calculated to <i>frighten</i> than to attract (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,44,47,52);">Jer 51:44, 47, 52</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',3,1);">Dan 3:1</a>). Mere bugbears with which to frighten children.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_39"><b>39. wild beasts of the desert</b>—wild cats, remarkable for their howl [BOCHART].
|
|
<br><br><b>wild beasts of the islands</b>—jackals (See on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Isa/Isa013.html#Isa13_21">Isa 13:21</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>owls</b>—rather, "female ostriches"; they delight in solitary places. Literally, "daughters of crying." Compare as to spiritual Babylon, <a onclick="return mV('Rev',18,2);">Rev 18:2</a>.
|
|
<br><br><b>no more inhabited for ever</b>—The accumulation of phrases is to express the final and utter extinction of Babylon; fulfilled not immediately, but by degrees; Cyrus took away its supremacy. Darius Hystaspes deprived it, when it had rebelled, of its fortifications. Seleucus Nicanor removed its citizens and wealth to Seleucia, which he founded in the neighborhood; and the Parthians removed all that was left to Ctesiphon. Nothing but its walls was left under the Roman emperor Adrian.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_40"><b>40.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,19);">Isa 13:19</a>). Repeated from <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,18);">Jer 49:18</a>.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_41"><b>41-43.</b> (Compare <a onclick="return mV('Jer',6,'22-24');">Jer 6:22-24</a>). The very language used to describe the calamities which Babylon inflicted on Zion is that here employed to describe Babylon's own calamity inflicted by the Medes. Retribution in kind.
|
|
<br><br><b>kinds</b>—the allies and satraps of the various provinces of the Medo-Persian empire: Armenia, Hyrcania, Lydia, etc.
|
|
<br><br><b>coasts</b>—the remote parts.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_42"><b>42. cruel</b>—the character of the Persians, and even of Cyrus, notwithstanding his wish to be thought magnanimous (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',13,18);">Isa 13:18</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>like a man</b>—So orderly and united is their "array," that the whole army moves to battle as <i>one man</i> [GROTIUS].
|
|
<p id="Jer50_43"><b>43. hands waxed feeble</b>—attempted no resistance; immediately was overcome, as HERODOTUS tells us.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_44"><b>44-46.</b> Repeated mainly from <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,'19-21');">Jer 49:19-21</a>. The identity of God's principle in His dealing with Edom, and in that with Babylon, is implied by the similarity of language as to both.
|
|
<p id="Jer50_45"></a>
|
|
<p id="Jer50_46"><b>46. cry...among the nations</b>—In Edom's case it is, "at the cry the noise thereof was heard <i>in the Red Sea.</i>" The change implies the wider extent to which the crash of Babylon's downfall shall be heard.
|
|
</div></div><div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script> |