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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Jeremiah 50:33–46. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We have in these verses,
I.Israel's sufferings, and their deliverance out of those sufferings.
God takes notice of the bondage of his people in Babylon, as he did of their bondage in Egypt; he has surely seen it, and has heard their cry. Israel and Judah were oppressed together, Jer 50:33. Those that remained of the captives of the ten tribes, upon the uniting of the kingdoms of Assyria and Chaldea, seem to have come and mingled with t hose of the two tribes, and to have mingled tears with them, so that they were oppressed together. They were humble suppliants for their liberty, and that was all; they could not attempt any thing towards it, for all that took them captives held them fast, and were much too hard for them. But this is their comfort in distress, that, though they are weak, their Redeemer is strong (Jer 50:34), their Avenger (so the word signifies), he that has a right to them, and will claim his right and make good his claim. He is stronger than their enemies that hold them fast; he can overpower all the force that is against them, and put strength into his own people though they are very weak. The Lord of hosts is his name, and he will answer to his name, and make it to appear that he is what his people call him, and will be that to them for which they depend upon him. Note, It is the unspeakable comfort of the people of God that, though they have hosts against them, they have the Lord of hosts for them and he shall thoroughly plead their cause, pleading he shall plead it, plead it with jealousy, plead it effectually, plead it and carry it, that he may give rest to the land, and to his people's land, rest from all their enemies round about. This is applicable to all believers, who complain of the dominion of sin and corruption, and of their own weakness and manifold infirmities. Let them know that their Redeemer is strong; he is able to keep what they commit to him, and he will plead their cause. Sin shall not have dominion over them; he will make them free, and they shall be free indeed; he will give them rest, that rest which remains for the people of God.
II.Babylon's sin, and their punishment for that sin.
1.The sins they are here charged with are idolatry and persecution.
(1.)They oppressed the people of God; they held them fast, and would not let them go. They opened not the house of his prisoners, Isa 14:17. This was God's quarrel with them, as of old with Pharaoh; it cost him dear, and yet they would not take warning. The inhabitants of Babylon must be disquieted (Jer 50:34) because they have disquieted God's people, whose honour and comfort he is jealous for, and therefore will recompense tribulation to those that trouble them, as well as rest to those that are troubled, Th2 1:6, Th2 1:7.
(2.)They wronged God himself, and robbed him, giving that glory to others which is due to him alone; for (Jer 50:38) it is the land of graven images. All parts of the country abounded with idols, and they were mad upon them, were in love with them and doted on them, cared not what cost and pains they were at in the worship of them, were unwearied in paying their respects to them; and in all this they were wretchedly infatuated and acted like men out of their wits; they were carried on in their idolatry without reason or discretion, like men in a perfect fury. The word here used for idols properly signifies terrors - Enim, the name given to giants that were formidable, because they made the images of their gods to look frightful, to strike a terror upon fools and children. Their idols were scarecrows, yet they doted on them. Babylon was the mother of harlots (Rev 17:5), the source of idolatry. Note, It is the maddest thing in the world to make a god of any creature; and those who are proud against the Lord, the true God, are justly given up to strong delusions, to be mad upon idols that cannot profit. But this madness is wickedness, for which sinners will be certainly and severely reckoned with.
2.The judgments of God upon them for these sins are such as will quite lay them waste and ruin them.
(1.)All that should be their defence and support shall be cut off by the sword. The Chaldeans had long been God's sword, wherewith he had done execution upon the sinful nations round about: but now, they being as bad as any of them, or worse, a sword is brought upon them, even upon the inhabitants of Babylon (Jer 50:35), a sword of war; and, as it is in God's hand, sent and directed by him, it is a sword of justice. It shall be,
[1.]Upon their princes; they shall fall by it, and their dignity, wealth, and power, shall not secure them.
[2.]Upon their wise men, their philosophers, their statesmen, and privy-counsellors; their learning and policy shall neither secure them nor stand the public in any stead.
[3.]Upon their soothsayers and astrologers, here called the liars (Jer 50:36), for they cheated with their prognostications of peace and prosperity; the sword upon them shall make them dote, so that they shall talk like fools, and be as men that have lost all their wits. Note, God has a sword that can reach the soul and affect the mind, and bring men under spiritual plagues.
[4.]Upon their mighty men. A sword shall be upon their spirits; if they are not slain, yet they shall be dismayed, and shall be no longer mighty men; for what stead will their hands stand them in when their hearts fail them?
[5.]Upon their militia (Jer 50:37): The sword shall be upon their horses and chariots; the invaders shall make themselves masters of all their warlike stores, shall seize their horses and chariots for themselves, or destroy them. The troops of other nations that were in their service shall be quite disheartened: The mingled people shall become as weak and timorous as women.
[6.]Upon their exchequer: The sword shall be upon her treasures, which are the sinews of war, and they shall be robbed, and made use of by the enemy against them. See what universal destruction the sword makes when it comes with commission.
(2.)The country shall be made desolate (Jer 50:38): The waters shall be dried up, the water that secures the city. Cyrus drew the river Euphrates into so many channels as made it passable for his army, so that they got with ease to the walls of Babylon, which, if was thought, that river had rendered inaccessible. "The water likewise that made the country fruitful shall be dried up, so that it shall be turned into barrenness, and shall be no more inhabited by the children of men, but by the wild beasts of the desert," Jer 50:39. This was foretold concerning Babylon, Isa 13:19-22. It shall become like Sodom and Gomorrah, Jer 50:40. The same was foretold concerning Edom, Jer 49:18. As the Chaldeans had laid Edom waste, so they shall themselves be laid waste.
(3.)The king and kingdom shall be put into the utmost confusion and consternation by the enemies' invading them, Jer 50:41-43. All the expressions here used to denote the formidable power of the invaders, the terrors wherewith they should array themselves, and the great fright which both court and country should be put into thereby, we met with before (Jer 6:22-24) concerning the Chaldeans' invading the land of Judah. The battle which is there said to be against thee, O daughter of Zion! is here said to be against thee, O daughter of Babylon! to intimate that they should be paid in their own coin. God can find out such as shall be for terror and destruction to those that are for terror and destruction to others; and those who have dealt cruelly, and have shown no mercy, may expect to be cruelly dealt with, and to find no mercy. Only there is one difference between these passages; there it is said, We have heard the fame thereof and our hands wax feeble; here it is said, The king of Babylon has heard the report and his hands waxed feeble, which intimates that that proud and daring prince shall, in the day of his distress, be as weak and dispirited as the meanest Israelites were in the day of their distress.
(4.)That they shall be as much hurt as frightened, for the invader shall come up like a lion to tear and destroy (Jer 50:44) and shall make them and their habitation desolate (Jer 50:45), and the desolation shall be so astonishing that all the nations about shall be terrified by it, Jer 50:46. These three verses we had before (Jer 49:19-21) in the prophecy of the destruction of Edom, which was accomplished by the Chaldeans, and they are here repeated, mutatis mutandis - with a few necessary alterations, in the prophecy of the destruction of Babylon, which was to be accomplished upon the Chaldeans, to show that though the distributions of Providence may appear unequal for a time its retributions will be equal at last; when thou shalt make an end to spoil thou shalt be spoiled, Isa 33:1; Rev 13:10.
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Summary
Jeremiah 50:37 delivers a potent prophetic declaration of divine judgment against Babylon, the formidable empire that had subjugated Judah and exiled its people. This verse vividly portrays a comprehensive downfall targeting the very pillars of Babylon's strength: its military might, represented by its horses and chariots; its diverse and vast population, including foreign mercenaries; and its immense wealth, accumulated through conquest. The prophecy foretells not merely a defeat, but a profound demoralization, economic devastation, and complete plundering, signaling God's sovereign retribution against an arrogant power and promising eventual liberation for His oppressed people.
Context
Literary Context
Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51 form an extended oracle, a "word concerning Babylon," which stands as a significant counterpoint to the prophecies of Judah's destruction earlier in the book. This lengthy section serves as a message of hope and assurance for the exiled Israelites, promising that their oppressor, Babylon, would face divine retribution, ultimately leading to their own liberation and return to their homeland, as foretold in Jeremiah 29:10-14. The imagery throughout these chapters emphasizes total destruction and desolation, ensuring that Babylon would never rise again to its former glory, reversing its role as the dominant world power and demonstrating God's ultimate control over the nations. The specific details in Jeremiah 50:37 contribute to the overall picture of comprehensive ruin, echoing the detailed judgments found elsewhere in these chapters.
Historical & Cultural Context
Babylon, specifically the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, was the dominant superpower of the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. It had conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and carried its inhabitants into exile, fulfilling Jeremiah's earlier prophecies of judgment against Judah (e.g., Jeremiah 25:8-11). Culturally, Babylon was renowned for its military prowess, symbolized by its advanced chariots and cavalry, and for its immense wealth, accrued through conquest and extensive trade networks. Its capital city was a marvel of the ancient world, boasting impressive fortifications and architectural wonders. The "mingled people" (though the specific Hebrew word H6153 in the Strong's data provided refers to "dusk," the KJV translation here broadly refers to the diverse array of foreign mercenaries, allied contingents, and various ethnic groups that constituted Babylon's vast imperial population and military, a common feature of ancient empires that drew strength from their varied subjects).
Key Themes
Jeremiah 50:37 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and the broader prophetic tradition. It powerfully underscores the theme of Divine Judgment on Arrogant Nations, demonstrating that even the mightiest human empires, when they act in pride and oppress God's people, are ultimately subject to the Lord's supreme justice. The verse also highlights the theme of Reversal of Fortunes, where the oppressor becomes the oppressed, and the strong are made weak, illustrating God's power to humble the proud, a concept echoed in Isaiah 13. Furthermore, the detailed description of military and economic collapse reinforces the theme of Comprehensive Desolation, emphasizing that Babylon's destruction would be total, affecting every aspect of its power and glory, including its military assets, its diverse population, and its vast treasures, leaving no aspect of its might untouched by divine retribution. This aligns with the broader message of God's ultimate control over all earthly powers, as seen throughout the prophetic books.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H2719) refers to "a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement." In Jeremiah 50:37, its repetition emphasizes the pervasive and inescapable nature of the impending destruction and the violent means by which Babylon's power will be dismantled. It signifies a divinely orchestrated military invasion and the resulting devastation, acting as a metonymy for war itself.
This term (H802) refers to "a woman." It is used in a powerful simile ("become as women") to describe the utter demoralization and psychological collapse of Babylon's warriors. In ancient Near Eastern culture, this phrase conveyed extreme fear, loss of courage, and effeminacy, signifying a complete inability to resist or fight. It underscores the profound psychological impact of the judgment, rendering their formidable army helpless and terrified.
This word (H214) refers to "a depository; armory, cellar, garner, store(-house), treasure(-house)." Babylon was renowned for its immense wealth, accumulated through conquest and trade. The "sword upon her treasures" signifies complete economic devastation and the plundering of its riches, stripping the empire of its material glory and financial power.
Verse Breakdown
"A sword [is] upon their horses, and upon their chariots,"
This clause immediately establishes the nature of the judgment as military and violent. Horses and chariots were the pinnacle of ancient military might, symbols of power and speed. The "sword upon them" signifies that Babylon's primary instruments of conquest and defense would be directly targeted and rendered ineffective, leading to their destruction or capture. This highlights the dismantling of Babylon's military supremacy.
"and upon all the mingled people that [are] in the midst of her;"
This extends the judgment beyond military hardware to the human element. The "mingled people" refer to the diverse foreign populations, including mercenaries and allies, who contributed to Babylon's strength and prosperity. Their inclusion in the prophecy indicates that no segment of Babylon's population, whether native or foreign, would escape the impending terror and destruction, emphasizing the comprehensive scope of the divine wrath.
"and they shall become as women:"
This is a powerful and vivid simile depicting the psychological impact of the invasion. It signifies utter terror, demoralization, and the complete loss of courage and fighting spirit among Babylon's warriors and inhabitants. Their once formidable might would dissolve into helpless fear, indicating a profound internal collapse rather than merely an external defeat.
"a sword [is] upon her treasures;"
The repetition of "a sword is upon" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment. Here, the focus shifts from military and human assets to economic wealth. Babylon's vast riches, accumulated through conquest and trade, would also be subjected to the destructive force of the invasion, signifying the end of its material glory.
"and they shall be robbed."
This final clause explicitly states the consequence for Babylon's treasures. They would not merely be destroyed but plundered, seized by the conquering armies. This signifies complete economic ruin and the stripping away of Babylon's material glory and financial power, leaving the empire utterly destitute and vulnerable.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:37 employs several potent Literary Devices to convey the intensity and comprehensiveness of Babylon's impending judgment. The most prominent is Repetition, specifically the phrase "A sword [is] upon," which appears twice. This repetition serves to emphasize the pervasive and inescapable nature of the divine judgment, highlighting that no aspect of Babylon's power—military, demographic, or economic—will be spared. Metonymy is evident in the use of "sword" to represent not just a physical weapon, but the entire destructive force of war and divine retribution. The phrase "they shall become as women" is a stark Simile, vividly portraying the profound psychological collapse and utter demoralization of Babylon's formidable warriors, reducing them to a state of helpless terror. This imagery also carries an element of Hyperbole, underscoring the extreme nature of the fear and weakness that will overcome them, far beyond a typical military defeat. Finally, the verse's structure, moving from military assets to population to wealth, creates a sense of Climax, building to a comprehensive picture of total ruin.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 50:37 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and empires. It serves as a powerful testament to divine justice, demonstrating that even the mightiest human powers, when they act in pride, oppression, and defiance of God's will, are ultimately subject to His righteous judgment. For the exiled Israelites, this prophecy offered immense comfort and hope, assuring them that their suffering under Babylon was temporary and that God would indeed bring about their restoration and vindication. It underscores the principle that true security and lasting power do not reside in military might or material possessions, but in alignment with God's purposes. This passage reminds believers that God is faithful to His covenant promises, remembering His people even in their darkest hours, and will ultimately bring justice to those who oppress them, ensuring that no unrighteousness goes unpunished.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 50:37 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, serving as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering justice and His ultimate control over human history. In a world often dominated by powerful nations and economic systems, this verse calls us to critically examine where we place our trust and derive our security. It challenges us to recognize that earthly might, wealth, and military prowess are fleeting and ultimately subject to the divine will. For those who feel oppressed or marginalized by powerful forces, this prophecy offers immense hope, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will bring about justice in His perfect timing. It encourages us to identify with the suffering of God's people throughout history and to trust that His promises of deliverance and restoration will always prevail, even against seemingly insurmountable odds. Ultimately, it calls us to live with an eternal perspective, investing in God's kingdom rather than fleeting earthly kingdoms.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is Babylon singled out for such severe judgment in Jeremiah's prophecy?
Babylon was singled out for severe judgment primarily because of its role as the instrument of God's judgment against Judah, which it then carried out with excessive cruelty and pride, lifting itself up against the Lord and His people. While God used Babylon to punish Judah for its idolatry and disobedience, Babylon itself did not acknowledge God's sovereignty but rather boasted in its own strength and gods. Furthermore, Babylon oppressed God's covenant people, holding them in exile and plundering the temple in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52:12-23). This prophecy demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel and His promise to bring justice to those who harm His chosen people, as seen throughout the prophetic books, such as in Isaiah 14:3-23.
What does the phrase "they shall become as women" signify in this context?
The phrase "they shall become as women" is a powerful and vivid idiom in ancient Near Eastern culture, signifying extreme fear, utter demoralization, and a complete loss of courage and strength. It does not imply a literal gender transformation but rather a profound psychological and emotional collapse that renders formidable warriors helpless and incapable of resistance. In a patriarchal society where masculine strength and courage were highly valued, this simile was a particularly humiliating and devastating portrayal of defeat, indicating that Babylon's once-feared military would be reduced to a state of panicked helplessness in the face of their invaders, as also depicted in Isaiah 19:16.
How does this prophecy relate to the future of God's people?
This prophecy offers immense hope and assurance to God's exiled people, the Israelites. It promises that their period of suffering under Babylonian oppression is temporary and that God will ultimately intervene to bring justice upon their oppressor and secure their liberation and restoration to their homeland. It reinforces God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His people are in exile. For believers today, it underscores the truth that God is sovereign over all nations and that He will ultimately bring justice to all forms of oppression and evil, ensuring the ultimate triumph of His kingdom and the deliverance of His people, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the eschatological victory of Christ.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Jeremiah 50:37, while a specific prophecy against ancient Babylon, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader biblical narrative of God's judgment against all forms of spiritual oppression and His ultimate triumph through Jesus Christ. The "sword" of judgment against Babylon's military, people, and treasures foreshadows the definitive victory of Christ over all hostile powers and systems that oppose God and oppress His people. In the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation, "Babylon" becomes a symbolic representation of all worldly systems, spiritual forces, and human institutions that stand in rebellion against God and persecute His church. Just as ancient Babylon's military might was broken and its treasures plundered, so too does Christ, the true King, utterly defeat the spiritual forces of darkness and the "Babylon" of this world. His crucifixion and resurrection represent the ultimate triumph over sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:15), disarming the principalities and powers. The fall of historical Babylon, leading to the liberation of God's people, points forward to the glorious liberation that Christ provides from the bondage of sin and the dominion of darkness, leading His people into an eternal, unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28). The ultimate "robbing" of Babylon's treasures finds its spiritual parallel in Christ's reclaiming what was lost to sin, establishing His reign where all authority and power belong to Him, and ensuring that His people are eternally secure in His victory (John 16:33). The final judgment of spiritual Babylon in Revelation 18:2-8 echoes Jeremiah's prophecy, confirming that all earthly pride, wealth, and power that stand against God will ultimately be brought to nothing by the decisive and sovereign action of the Lamb of God.