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Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Jeremiah 50:9–20. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
God is here by his prophet, as afterwards in his providence, proceeding in his controversy with Babylon. Observe,
I.The commission and charge given to the instruments that were to be employed in destroying Babylon.
The army that is to do it is called an assembly of great nations (Jer 50:9), the Medes and Persians, and all their allies and auxiliaries; it is called an assembly, because regularly formed by the divine will and counsel to do this execution. God will raise them up to do it, will incline them to and fir them for this service, and then he will cause them to come up, for all their motions are under his conduct and direction: he shall give the word of command, shall order them to put themselves in array against Babylon (Jer 50:14), and then they shall put themselves in array (Jer 50:9), for what God appoints to be done shall be done; and thence she shall be quickly taken; from their first sitting down before it they shall be still gaining ground against it till it be taken. God shall bid them shoot at her and spare no arrows (Jer 50:14), and then their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man, that has both skill and strength, a good eye and a good hand (Jer 50:9); none shall return in vain. When God gives commission he will give success. Nay, they are bidden not only to shoot at her (Jer 50:14), but to shout against her (Jer 50:15) with a triumphant shout, as those that are already sure of victory. Those whom God directs to shoot may do so with shouting, for they are sure not to miss the mark.
II.The desolation and destruction itself that shall be brought upon Babylon. This is here set forth in a great variety of expressions.
1.The wealth of Babylon shall be a rich and easy prey to the conquerors (Jer 50:10): Chaldea shall be a spoil to all her destroyers, who shall enrich themselves by plundering her, and, which is strange, all that spoil her shall be satisfied; they shall have so much that even they themselves shall say that they have enough.
2.The country of Babylon shall be depopulated and lie uninhabited: It shall be wholly desolate (Jer 50:13) to such a degree that every one who goes by shall triumph in her fall, and, instead of condoling with them, shall hiss at all her plagues, Jer 50:13.
3.Their ancestors shall be ashamed of their cowardice, in fleeing from the first onset (Jer 50:12), or, Your mother, Babylon itself, the mother-city, shall be confounded, when she sees herself deserted by those that should have been her guards. Thus the former ages of Christians may justly be confounded and ashamed to see how unlike them the latter ages are, and how wretchedly they have degenerated; and no sin brings a surer and sorer ruin upon persons, or people, than apostasy.
4.The great admirers of Babylon shall see it rendered very despicable: the last of kingdoms, the very tail of the nations, shall it be, a wilderness, a dry land, a desert, Jer 50:12. The country that was populous shall be dispeopled, that was enriched with a fertile soil shall become barren.
5.The great city, the head of it, shall be quite ruined. Her foundations have fallen, and therefore her walls are thrown down; for how can the walls stand when divine vengeance is at the door and shakes the very foundations? It is the vengeance of the Lord, which nothing can contend with either in law or battle.
6.There shall not be left in Babylon so much as the poor of the land, for vine-dressers and husbandmen, as there was in Israel (Jer 50:16): The sower shall be cut off from Babylon, and he that handles the sickle; the country shall be so emptied of people that there shall be none to till the ground and gather in the fruits of it. Harvest shall come, and there shall be no reapers; seed-time shall come, but there shall be no sower; God will do his part, but there shall be no men to do theirs.
7.All their auxiliary forces, which they have hired into their service, shall ??desert them, as mercenary men often do upon the approach of danger (Jer 50:16): For fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people. This was threatened before concerning Egypt, Jer 46:16.
III.The procuring provoking cause of this destruction.
It comes from God's displeasure; it is because of the wrath of the Lord that Babylon shall be wholly desolate (Jer 50:13), and his wrath is righteous, for (Jer 50:14) she hath sinned against the Lord, therefore spare no arrows. Note, It is sin that makes men a mark for the arrows of God's judgments. An abundance of idolatry and immorality was to be found in Babylon, yet those are not mentioned as the reason of God's displeasure against them, but the injuries they had done to the people of God, from a principle of enmity to them as his people. They have been the destroyers of God's heritage (Jer 50:11); herein indeed God made use of them for the necessary correction of his people, and yet it is laid to their charge as a heinous crime, because they designed nothing but their utter destruction.
1.What they did against Jerusalem they did with pleasure (Jer 50:11): You were glad, you rejoice. God does not afflict his people willingly, and therefore takes it very ill if the instruments he employs afflict them willingly. When Titus Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem he wept over it, but these Chaldeans triumphed over it.
2.The spoils of Jerusalem they made use of to feed their own luxury: "You have grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; your having conquered Jerusalem has made you very wanton and proud, easy to yourselves and formidable to all about you, and therefore you must be a spoil." Those that have thus swallowed down riches must vomit them up again. Therefore they have given their hand (Jer 50:15); they have surrendered themselves to the conqueror, have tamely yielded so that now you may take vengeance on her, now you may make reprisals and do unto her as she hath done.
3.They aimed at nothing less than the utter ruin of God's Israel: Israel is a scattered sheep, as before (Jer 50:6), that is not only barked at and worried by dogs, but even lions, the most potent adversaries, have roared upon him and driven him away, Jer 50:17. One king of Assyria carried the ten tribes quite away and devoured them; another invaded Judah, and plundered and impoverished it, tore the fleece and flesh of this poor sheep; and now at last this Nebuchadnezzar, that is the terror and plague of all his neighbours, has taken advantage of the low condition to which he is reduced, and he has fallen upon him and broken his bones, has quite ruined him, and therefore the king of Babylon must be punished as the king of Assyria was, Jer 50:18. Note, Those who pursue and prosecute the sins of their predecessors must expect to be pursued and prosecuted by their plagues; if they do as they did, let them fare as they fared.
IV.The mercy promised to the Israel of God, which shall not only accompany, but accrue from, the destruction of Babylon.
1.God will return their captivity; they shall be released out of their bondage, and brought again to their own habitation as sheep that were scattered to their own fold Jer 50:19. They still retained a title to the land of Canaan; it is their habitation still. The discontinuance of their possession was not the destruction of their right. But now they shall recover the enjoyment of it again.
2.He will restore their prosperity; they shall not only live, but live comfortably, in their own land again; they shall feed upon Carmel and Bashan, the richest and most fruitful parts of the country. These sheep shall be gathered from the deserts to which they were dispersed, and put again into good pasture, which their soul shall be satisfied with though they shall come hungry to it, having been so long stinted, and straitened, and kept short, yet they shall find enough to satiate them and shall have hearts to be satiated with it. They enquired the way to Zion (Jer 50:5), where God was to be served and worshipped. This was what they chiefly aimed at in their return; but God will not only bring them thither, but bring them also to Carmel and Bashan, where they shall abundantly feed themselves. Note, Those that return to God and their duty shall find true satisfaction of soul in so doing; and those that seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, that aim to make their habitation in Zion, the holy hill, shall have other things added to them, even all the comforts of Ephraim and Gilead, the fruitful hills.
3.God will pardon their iniquity; this is the root of all the rest (Jer 50:20): In those days the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none. Not only the punishments of their iniquity shall be taken off, but the offence which it gave to God shall be forgotten, and he will be reconciled to them. Their sin shall be before him as if it had never been; it shall be blotted out as a cloud, crossed out as a debt, shall be cast behind his back; nay, it shall be cast into the depth of the sea, shall be no longer sealed up among God's treasures, nor in any danger of appearing again or rising up against them. This denotes how fully God forgives sin; he remembers it no more. Note, Deliverances out of trouble are then comforts indeed when they are the fruits of the forgiveness of sin, Isa 38:17. Judah and Israel were so fully forgiven when they were brought back out of Babylon that they are said to have received of the Lord's hand double for all their sins, Isa 40:2. This may include also a thorough reformation of their hearts and lives, as well as a full remission of their sins. If any seek for idols or any idolatrous customs among them, after their return, there shall be none, they shall not find them; their dross shall be purely purged away, and by that it shall appear that their guilt is so; for I will pardon those whom I reserve; I will be propitious to them (so the word is) and that must be through him who is the great propitiation. Note, Those whose sins God pardons he reserves for something very great; for whom he justifies them he glorifies.
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Summary
Jeremiah 50:15 delivers a powerful prophetic decree foretelling the utter and catastrophic downfall of Babylon, the dominant global empire responsible for Judah's subjugation and exile. This verse is an integral part of a larger divine oracle that declares Babylon's imminent and complete destruction as a direct act of divine retribution. It vividly portrays the city's impending collapse through imagery of military assault and structural ruin, emphatically attributing this judgment to the righteous vengeance of the LORD and calling for the same measure of destruction to be meted out to Babylon as it had inflicted upon others.
Context
Literary Context
Jeremiah 50:15 is strategically placed within a comprehensive prophetic oracle against Babylon, encompassing chapters 50 and 51 of the book of Jeremiah. These chapters serve as a dramatic counterpoint to the preceding prophecies concerning Judah's judgment and eventual restoration, signaling a shift in divine focus. After detailing Judah's suffering and holding out the promise of future hope, Jeremiah turns to pronounce God's severe judgment upon Babylon, the very instrument of Judah's punishment. This specific verse acts as an urgent call to the nations to assemble against Babylon, underscoring its sudden vulnerability and impending ruin. It follows closely on the heels of declarations about Babylon's desolation in Jeremiah 50:13 and the command for archers to target her in Jeremiah 50:14, thereby setting the immediate scene for the command to "shout against her" and the pronouncement of her structural collapse. The verses that follow continue to elaborate on the extent of Babylon's ruin and the subsequent liberation of Israel and Judah.
Historical & Cultural Context
The prophecies against Babylon in Jeremiah were delivered during a period of immense geopolitical upheaval in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. Under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon had ascended to become the preeminent imperial power, successfully conquering the Neo-Assyrian Empire and subsequently subjugating Judah. Jerusalem was besieged and ultimately destroyed in 586 BCE, leading to the forced exile of its inhabitants to Babylon. The city of Babylon itself was legendary for its formidable fortifications, including the iconic Ishtar Gate and the massive walls described by ancient historians like Herodotus, which rendered it seemingly impregnable. For the exiled Judeans, Babylon represented the epitome of oppressive power, pagan idolatry, and national humiliation. Consequently, the prophecy of its fall offered profound hope, vindication, and assurance to a people suffering under its oppressive yoke, affirming that even the mightiest human empire was ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. The phrase "she hath given her hand" could metaphorically refer to a gesture of surrender or a forced pledge of allegiance, now ironically turned against Babylon in its defeat.
Key Themes
Jeremiah 50:15 makes a pivotal contribution to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical prophecy. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of Divine Sovereignty over Nations. Despite Babylon's perceived invincibility and immense power, God unequivocally declares its downfall, thereby demonstrating His ultimate and absolute control over the rise and fall of all earthly empires, a truth profoundly echoed in Daniel 2 concerning Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Secondly, the verse prominently highlights Divine Justice and Retribution. Babylon's destruction is explicitly identified as "the vengeance of the LORD," emphasizing that God is not a passive observer of injustice but actively intervenes to right wrongs, punish wickedness, and uphold His moral order. This is a consistent biblical motif, as powerfully articulated in Deuteronomy 32:35, where vengeance is declared to belong to the Lord. Thirdly, the principle of Poetic Justice (Lex Talionis) is vividly expressed in the climactic command "as she hath done, do unto her." This concept, where the punishment precisely fits the crime, is a recurring and powerful theme in prophetic literature, signifying that oppressors will experience the very same measure of suffering they inflicted upon others, a principle also found in Obadiah 1:15.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root means "to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout (for alarm or joy)." In this context, it denotes a loud, piercing cry, specifically a war cry or an alarm, signaling an imminent, overwhelming attack. It is a command for the invading forces to raise their voices in triumph and intimidation as they completely encircle and conquer Babylon, emphasizing the ferocity, decisiveness, and finality of the assault.
This primitive root means "to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)." When applied to "foundations," as it is here, it signifies a complete collapse, ruin, and utter destruction. It conveys the idea that Babylon's very base and stability are crumbling, indicating an irreversible and comprehensive defeat, not merely a temporary setback, but a fundamental undoing of its power.
This feminine noun derives from the root meaning "to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish." In biblical theology, when attributed to the LORD (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), "vengeance" is not personal spite, uncontrolled wrath, or human vindictiveness. Rather, it is a manifestation of His perfect justice, righteousness, and faithfulness to His covenant. It represents a divine act of setting things right, balancing the scales of justice, and ensuring that evil and oppression do not go unpunished, ultimately demonstrating God's holy character and His unwavering commitment to His moral order in the world.
Verse Breakdown
"Shout against her round about:"
This is a direct, imperative command, likely addressed to the nations God is raising up as instruments of His judgment against Babylon. It powerfully evokes the imagery of a besieging army completely encircling the city, raising a triumphant war cry or a shout of alarm, thereby indicating the imminence of its downfall and the complete lack of any escape route for Babylon.
"she hath given her hand:"
This phrase carries profound layers of meaning. It can signify a gesture of surrender, acknowledging utter defeat and helplessness in the face of the overwhelming assault. Alternatively, it might refer to a forced pledge of loyalty or a covenant, implying that Babylon's former alliances or its own perceived strength are now rendered utterly useless, or that she is now compelled to submit to a greater, divine power—God's judgment.
"her foundations are fallen,"
This clause speaks to the absolute and utter destruction of Babylon's core stability and security. "Foundations" (H803, ʼăshûwyâh) refers to the very base upon which a structure is built, signifying its deepest support. Their collapse means that the city's very essence, its strength, security, and perceived permanence, are completely undone, representing a metaphor for total and irreversible ruin.
"her walls are thrown down:"
Complementing the fallen foundations, the "walls" (H2346, chôwmâh) refer to the city's protective fortifications, which were legendary for their immense size and impregnability. Their being "thrown down" (H2040, hâraç) indicates a violent, deliberate, and complete demolition, leaving the city utterly defenseless, exposed, and vulnerable. This imagery directly counters Babylon's historical reputation for being unconquerable.
"for it [is] the vengeance of the LORD:"
This is the crucial theological justification and primary motivation for Babylon's destruction. It unequivocally clarifies that this is not merely a geopolitical shift or a result of human conflict, but a direct, divine act of judgment. The "vengeance of the LORD" (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh) underscores God's active involvement in the course of human history, His righteous indignation against injustice, and His unwavering commitment to bringing about justice for His oppressed people and the nations.
"take vengeance upon her;"
This is a reiteration of the divine command, likely directed at the instruments of God's judgment (e.g., the Medes and Persians), to actively execute the decreed divine retribution. It reinforces the imperative nature of the judgment and the absolute certainty of its fulfillment, emphasizing that this is a mandated act.
"as she hath done, do unto her."
This climactic phrase encapsulates the profound biblical principle of poetic justice (lex talionis). It declares that Babylon will receive the exact same measure of destruction, cruelty, and devastation that it inflicted upon other nations, particularly Judah. It is a divine promise that the oppressor will experience the very suffering it caused, ensuring a just and equitable recompense.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:15 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and retribution. Personification is evident as Babylon is addressed directly as "her," endowing the city with human-like qualities that can "give her hand" in surrender and suffer a devastating fall. This makes the judgment feel more immediate and personally directed. The verse also utilizes vivid Imagery of military assault ("Shout against her round about"), a gesture of surrender ("she hath given her hand"), and catastrophic structural collapse ("her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down"). These powerful images create a clear and compelling mental picture of utter destruction and complete vulnerability. The phrase "as she hath done, do unto her" is a quintessential example of Lex Talionis or Poetic Justice, a rhetorical device that emphatically underscores the just, reciprocal, and proportionate nature of divine retribution. Furthermore, the repeated emphasis on "vengeance" and the command to "take vengeance" creates a strong sense of Anaphora and Repetition, reinforcing the central theme of divine retribution and its absolute inevitability. The overall tone of the passage is one of Prophetic Imperative, conveying a profound sense of divine decree and unalterable certainty regarding Babylon's predetermined fate.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 50:15 stands as a profound theological statement on God's active and sovereign governance over human history, coupled with His unwavering commitment to justice. It asserts unequivocally that no empire, however powerful, formidable, or seemingly invincible, stands outside the purview of divine judgment. The "vengeance of the LORD" is not an act of capricious anger or vindictiveness, but rather a righteous and holy response to the accumulated pride, pervasive idolatry, and systematic cruelty of Babylon, particularly its brutal oppression of God's chosen people. This verse profoundly reveals a God who meticulously observes injustice, hears the desperate cries of the oppressed, and intervenes decisively to uphold His moral order, ensuring that those who sow destruction will ultimately reap it themselves. It offers a powerful and enduring assurance to the suffering that their oppressors will inevitably face accountability, reinforcing the foundational truth that God's perfect justice will ultimately prevail.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 50:15, while a specific historical prophecy against ancient Babylon, carries enduring and profound relevance for believers in every generation. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is ultimately sovereign over all earthly powers, and that His perfect justice will inevitably prevail. In a world where injustice often appears to triumph, and where oppressors frequently seem to escape consequences, this verse offers a profound source of hope, comfort, and divine assurance. It encourages us to cultivate an unwavering trust in God's perfect timing and His steadfast commitment to righteousness, even when current circumstances seem bleak or overwhelming. Furthermore, it serves as a stark and solemn warning to all who wield power: power used for oppression, fueled by pride, or exercised with injustice will inevitably face divine reckoning. For the Church, this passage calls us to actively stand for justice, to courageously advocate for the oppressed, and to live with the profound conviction that God will indeed "do unto" every system and individual "as they have done." Our ultimate hope and security are not found in human systems, political solutions, or fleeting earthly powers, but solely in the God who orchestrates all of history and faithfully brings about His righteous judgment.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of Babylon's "foundations" and "walls" being destroyed in this prophecy?
The destruction of Babylon's "foundations" and "walls" is profoundly significant because Babylon was legendary for its immense and seemingly impenetrable fortifications. Its walls were considered one of the wonders of the ancient world, providing a deep sense of ultimate security and invincibility to its inhabitants. Therefore, the prophecy that "her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down" is a powerful symbolic statement of total, irreversible, and comprehensive destruction. It means that Babylon's very basis of power, its defensive capabilities, and its perceived permanence are utterly undone. This vivid imagery underscores the completeness of God's judgment and demonstrates that no human construct, however mighty or secure, can ultimately withstand His sovereign will. It signifies that the city will be left utterly defenseless, exposed, and reduced to a desolate ruin, a testament to divine power.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Jeremiah 50:15 directly concerns the historical judgment of ancient Babylon, its underlying theological principles find profound and ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The "vengeance of the LORD" against Babylon foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's justice, not merely against a specific historical empire, but against all sin, evil, and the spiritual forces of darkness, which are ultimately personified in the symbolic "Babylon" of Revelation 17 and Revelation 18. Christ, as the perfectly righteous judge, supremely embodies this divine vengeance. His first coming inaugurated the kingdom of God and began the decisive process of dismantling the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). His sacrificial death on the cross was the ultimate act of divine justice and vengeance against sin, where He bore the full, righteous wrath of God on behalf of humanity (Romans 3:25-26). Furthermore, Christ's glorious second coming will bring the final and complete execution of God's judgment upon all unrighteousness, when every knee will bow and every oppressive power and spiritual authority will be utterly vanquished and brought to nothing (Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 19:11-16). The principle "as she hath done, do unto her" is perfectly fulfilled in Christ's just and eternal reign, where every act of injustice will be rectified, and His perfect righteousness will be eternally established, leading to the creation of a new heavens and new earth where only righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).