1 The word that the LORD spake against Babylon [and] against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
10 And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.
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;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
22 A sound of battle [is] in the land, and of great destruction.
23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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].
36 A sword [is] upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword [is] upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 50
Jeremiah Chapter 50 is a prophetic message concerning the fall of Babylon, a significant theme in the Book of Jeremiah. This chapter serves as a divine announcement of judgment against Babylon for its oppression and idolatry. It highlights the eventual restoration of Israel and the consequences of Babylon’s actions.
Key Themes
- Judgment Against Babylon: The chapter emphasizes God’s impending judgment on Babylon for its sins and its role as an oppressor of Israel.
- Restoration of Israel: It also speaks of the hope and restoration that God promises to the people of Israel after their suffering.
- Divine Sovereignty: The text underscores God’s sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring about justice.
Structure of the Chapter
- Announcement of Babylon’s Fall (Verses 1-3): The chapter begins with a proclamation against Babylon, declaring that God will raise a nation to destroy it.
- Call for Israel’s Return (Verses 4-10): A call is issued for the people of Israel to return to their homeland, emphasizing their restoration and the defeat of their oppressors.
- Destruction of Babylon (Verses 11-16): The chapter details the reasons for Babylon’s destruction, including its pride and cruelty.
- God’s Vengeance (Verses 17-20): God promises to take vengeance on Babylon and to forgive the sins of Israel.
- Babylon’s Punishment (Verses 21-32): A vivid description of the punishment that will befall Babylon is provided, highlighting its total devastation.
- Future Hope for Israel (Verses 33-40): The chapter concludes with a message of hope for Israel, affirming that they will be restored and flourish once again.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-3: Announcement of Babylon’s Fall
These opening verses introduce the central theme of the chapter, which is the prophecy against Babylon. It sets the tone for the rest of the chapter by declaring that God has a plan to dismantle Babylon’s power. The phrase “a great nation” signifies the might of the force that will rise against Babylon, indicating that God will use a powerful entity to execute His judgment.
Verses 4-10: Call for Israel’s Return
In these verses, God reassures Israel of their future restoration. The imagery of the people returning to their homeland is significant, as it symbolizes hope and renewal after a period of exile. The mention of a “highway” suggests a clear path back to their land, emphasizing God’s guidance in their return.
Verses 11-16: Destruction of Babylon
These verses focus on the reasons for Babylon’s impending destruction. The pride and arrogance of Babylon are highlighted, as well as its exploitation of Israel. The call to “shout against her” reflects the collective joy and relief of nations that have suffered under Babylon’s tyranny.
Verses 17-20: God’s Vengeance
God’s promise of vengeance against Babylon is central to these verses. The assurance of forgiveness for Israel’s sins signifies a turning point in their relationship with God. This reflects the theme of redemption that runs throughout the Book of Jeremiah.
Verses 21-32: Babylon’s Punishment
The vivid descriptions of Babylon’s punishment serve to illustrate the totality of its downfall. The language used evokes a sense of desolation and despair, emphasizing that Babylon’s power will be utterly crushed. The imagery of a “sword” against Babylon signifies divine judgment, reinforcing the notion that God is in control of the fate of nations.
Verses 33-40: Future Hope for Israel
The chapter concludes with a powerful message of hope for Israel. The promise of restoration is reaffirmed, suggesting that despite their suffering, they will ultimately triumph. The mention of God’s sovereignty over creation serves as a reminder of His enduring faithfulness to His people.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 50 encapsulates the themes of judgment, restoration, and divine sovereignty. It serves as a powerful reminder of God’s justice and the hope He offers to His people. Through the prophetic words against Babylon, the chapter emphasizes that no power can withstand God’s will, and that ultimately, His people will experience redemption and restoration.
