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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 50:40 delivers a profound and chilling prophecy concerning the absolute and permanent desolation of Babylon, drawing a direct parallel to the catastrophic overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. This divine declaration, spoken with the authority of the Lord, underscores the irreversible nature of Babylon's impending judgment, asserting that it will become an uninhabitable wasteland, utterly devoid of human presence, serving as an enduring testament to God's unwavering justice against pride, idolatry, and oppression.
Context
Literary Context
Jeremiah 50:40 is embedded within a substantial prophetic oracle against Babylon, spanning chapters 50 and 51 of the Book of Jeremiah. While much of Jeremiah's prophecy is directed at Judah and Jerusalem, these chapters represent a dramatic shift, focusing God's judgmental gaze upon Babylon—the very empire He used as an instrument of His wrath against His own people. This extensive section meticulously details Babylon's impending downfall, presenting it not merely as a political defeat but as a divinely orchestrated act of retribution for its profound arrogance, pervasive idolatry, and excessive cruelty, particularly towards Judah and the desecration of the temple. The verse in question serves as a climactic and definitive statement within this oracle, emphasizing the irreversible and absolute nature of Babylon's destruction by invoking one of the most severe and archetypal judgments in biblical history.
Historical & Cultural Context
At the time of this prophecy, Babylon stood as the undisputed global superpower, having conquered Judah and exiled its inhabitants. Its capital, Babylon, was famed for its monumental walls, the legendary Hanging Gardens, and a pervasive sense of invincibility. Culturally, Babylon was a nexus of polytheism, advanced astrology, and imperial hubris, consistently boasting of its own might rather than acknowledging divine sovereignty. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah would have resonated deeply and terrifyingly with Jeremiah's audience. These ancient cities, located in the Jordan plain, suffered utter annihilation by divine fire and brimstone, as meticulously recorded in Genesis 19. They served as a perpetual, stark warning of God's judgment against profound wickedness and rebellion. This historical precedent powerfully underscored the severity, permanence, and divine origin of the judgment now pronounced upon Babylon, a city far greater in power and influence than its ancient predecessors.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights Divine Sovereignty and Retributive Justice, unequivocally demonstrating that even the mightiest human empires are ultimately subject to God's supreme authority and righteous judgment. Babylon, despite its temporary role as God's instrument, would not escape accountability for its pride and cruelty, a theme powerfully echoed in passages such as Isaiah 13:11. Secondly, the direct comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah emphasizes Utter and Permanent Desolation. Just as those cities were rendered uninhabitable forever, so too would Babylon become a desolate ruin, a vivid and chilling illustration of the irreversible consequences of defying the living God. This theme of absolute destruction is further developed in prophetic visions concerning ultimate judgment, such as the fall of "Babylon the Great" in Revelation 18. Finally, the verse speaks to God's Faithfulness to His Covenant and His People, providing a profound assurance to Judah that their oppressor would not go unpunished, thereby offering a future hope amidst their present suffering and exile.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This noun signifies a "destruction" or "overthrow." It denotes a violent, complete, and catastrophic turning upside down, far more than a mere conquest or defeat. Its deployment here immediately evokes the imagery of the divine judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, where the very land was literally overturned and obliterated, emphasizing the unparalleled and absolute nature of Babylon's coming ruin. This term indicates not merely a change of power, but an irreversible obliteration.
This verb primarily means "to sit down," but extends to "to dwell," "to inhabit," or "to remain." In this prophetic context, it speaks to the absolute cessation of any form of settled habitation. The declaration "shall no man abide there" signifies that no one will be able to establish a permanent residence or even temporarily settle within the boundaries of the once-mighty city. It underscores the profound desolation and the impossibility of any future recovery or repopulation.
This verb means "to turn aside for a lodging," "to sojourn (as a guest)," or "to inhabit." This word powerfully reinforces the preceding term, emphasizing that not only will permanent residents be absent, but even transient visitors, temporary inhabitants, or passing sojourners will not be found. The combination of "abide" and "dwell" creates a potent literary device, indicating the complete and utter absence of any human presence whatsoever, from the long-term resident to the fleeting traveler, highlighting the totality of the abandonment.
Verse Breakdown
"As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD;"
This opening clause establishes a profound, terrifying, and divinely authoritative parallel. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (along with the "cities of the plain" like Admah and Zeboiim, which were their neighbors) served as the archetypal biblical instance of divine, irreversible judgment, characterized by fire and brimstone from heaven, leaving the land utterly desolate. By invoking this horrific historical event, the prophet, under divine inspiration, signals that Babylon's judgment will be of a similar nature—total, catastrophic, and undeniably divinely initiated. The concluding phrase "saith the LORD" functions as an authoritative stamp, authenticating the prophecy as a direct, unalterable oracle from Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God, leaving no doubt about its certainty and divine origin.
"[so] shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein."
This second clause pronounces the specific and dire outcome of the judgment, directly applying the severity and permanence of the Sodom and Gomorrah precedent to Babylon. The double negation ("no man... neither shall any son of man") serves as an emphatic declaration of absolute and perpetual depopulation. "Man" (Hebrew: 'îysh) refers to an individual male, while "son of man" (Hebrew: ben 'adam) is a broader, more general term for humanity. Together, these terms signify that no human being, regardless of status, gender, or origin, will ever again inhabit Babylon. This is a prophecy of complete and permanent abandonment, transforming the once-proud capital into a desolate wilderness, a haunting and enduring monument to divine wrath and justice.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:40 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of irreversible judgment and utter desolation. The most prominent is Simile (or Analogy), which directly compares Babylon's impending fate to the well-known and horrific destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This comparison is not merely illustrative but deeply predictive, setting a historical and theological precedent for the absolute and final nature of the coming destruction. The explicit use of the "As... so..." construction powerfully links these two events, leveraging the known terror and finality of Sodom's demise to underscore the unparalleled severity of Babylon's. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Hyperbole and Merism in the emphatic phrase "shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein." While the prophecy of Babylon's desolation was indeed remarkably fulfilled over time, the absolute language of "no man... neither any son of man" serves to stress the utter and complete nature of the abandonment, encompassing every conceivable type of inhabitant, from permanent resident to transient sojourner. This powerful negation creates a vivid and chilling image of a truly uninhabited wasteland. Finally, the inclusion of the Divine Oracle Formula, "saith the LORD," functions as an authoritative stamp, emphasizing that this is not a human prediction but a certain, divinely decreed judgment, adding immense weight, infallibility, and finality to the prophecy.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 50:40 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations and empires. It reveals that no earthly power, however mighty or seemingly invincible, can escape accountability for its actions, particularly when those actions involve pervasive pride, idolatry, and the cruel oppression of God's people. The judgment on Babylon, paralleled with the archetypal destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, underscores the biblical principle that divine retribution is certain and, in cases of profound and unrepentant wickedness, can lead to complete and irreversible desolation. This verse offers immense reassurance to the suffering remnant of Judah that God sees their affliction and will bring righteous justice upon their oppressors, demonstrating that His moral order will ultimately prevail, and every kingdom that exalts itself against Him will inevitably be brought low.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 50:40 offers enduring and sobering lessons for believers across generations. Firstly, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's unyielding and impartial justice. While His patience is vast and His mercy extends to all who repent, His judgment is certain and will ultimately fall upon all forms of wickedness, oppression, and pride, whether manifested in individuals, institutions, or nations. This profound truth provides immense comfort and vindication to those who suffer under injustice, assuring them that God sees their affliction and will act decisively in His perfect timing. Secondly, the verse underscores the ultimate accountability of all human power structures before the sovereign God. No earthly empire, no matter how formidable its defenses or how vast its influence, is beyond His reach or immune to His righteous decrees. This calls us, as believers, to maintain a discerning and critical perspective on worldly systems that defy God's standards, rather than placing our ultimate hope, trust, or allegiance in them. Finally, the utter desolation of Babylon, once the "glory of kingdoms," should instill a sobering perspective on the transience and fleeting nature of worldly power and the inherent futility of building kingdoms apart from God. It compels us to invest our lives, resources, and aspirations in the eternal kingdom of God, whose foundations are unshakable and whose King reigns forever.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is Babylon's destruction compared specifically to Sodom and Gomorrah?
The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah is highly significant because these cities represented the ultimate biblical archetype of divine, catastrophic, and irreversible judgment. Their destruction, meticulously recorded in Genesis 19, was by fire and brimstone from heaven, leaving the land utterly desolate and uninhabitable. By drawing this direct parallel, Jeremiah emphasizes that Babylon's downfall would not be a mere conquest or a temporary setback, but a complete and permanent annihilation, a divinely orchestrated act of retribution so severe that the city would be rendered utterly devoid of human life, just as Sodom and Gomorrah were. It underscores the unparalleled nature of God's wrath against Babylon's profound wickedness and pride, signaling a judgment of absolute finality.
Has the prophecy of Babylon's complete desolation been literally fulfilled?
Yes, the prophecy of Babylon's utter desolation, as described in Jeremiah 50-51 and Isaiah 13, has been remarkably fulfilled over time. While Babylon was initially conquered by the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 BC and continued to exist for a period, its glory steadily declined. Subsequent empires like the Greeks and Parthians attempted to revive it, but none succeeded in restoring its former prominence. Over centuries, the city fell into ruin, becoming a desolate wasteland, inhabited only by wild animals, just as prophesied (e.g., Isaiah 13:20-22). Today, the ancient site of Babylon in modern-day Iraq remains largely in ruins, a stark and compelling testament to the precision and fulfillment of God's prophetic word, confirming that "no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Jeremiah 50:40, while a prophecy of historical judgment against a specific earthly empire, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's eternal kingdom over all opposing earthly powers and the finality of Christ's victory over sin, death, and all rebellion. Babylon, in its arrogant pride, oppressive rule, and pervasive idolatry, serves as a powerful type of the world system that stands in rebellion against God and His righteous rule. Just as ancient Babylon faced irreversible divine judgment and utter desolation, so too will all systems and strongholds of evil ultimately be overthrown and annihilated by Christ. The New Testament's "Babylon the Great" in Revelation 17-18 symbolizes the spiritual and moral corruption of the world that opposes God, and its ultimate, catastrophic fall mirrors the desolation prophesied for ancient Babylon, signifying the complete and permanent destruction of all that stands against God's righteous reign. Jesus, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, has already disarmed the powers and authorities of darkness (as seen in Colossians 2:15), and He will return as the conquering King to execute final judgment and establish His eternal kingdom (foretold in Revelation 19:11-16). Thus, the desolation of Babylon foreshadows the ultimate and decisive triumph of Christ, ensuring that no opposing power or "son of man" will ever "abide" or "dwell" in rebellion against His eternal reign, bringing forth a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells forever (as promised in 2 Peter 3:13).