21. was heard in--that is, shall be heard at.
Red Sea--a considerable distance from Idumea; though the district at the Elantic bay of the Red Sea originally belonged to Idumea, and the sea itself was called from Edom, that is, "red" ([Ge 25:30], Margin). Others translate, "the weedy sea" (Margin), and derive the name, "Red Sea," from its red weeds; the former view is preferable.
22. (Compare [Jr 48:40], ).
Bozrah--(See on [Jr 48:24]).
23. Prophecy as to Damascus, &c. ([Is 17:1]; ). The kingdom of Damascus was destroyed by Assyria, but the city revived, and it is as to the latter Jeremiah now prophesies. The fulfilment was probably about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar [Josephus, Antiquities, 10.9,7].
Hamath is confounded--at the tidings of the overthrow of the neighboring Damascus.
on the sea--that is, at the sea; the dwellers there are alarmed. Other manuscripts read, "like the sea." "There is anxiety (restless) as is the sea: they cannot quiet it," that is, it cannot be quieted ([Is 57:20]).
it--Whatever dwellers are there "cannot be quiet."
25. city of praise--The prophet, in the person of a citizen of Damascus deploring its calamity, calls it "the city of praise," that is, celebrated with praises everywhere for its beauty ([Jr 33:9]; ). "How is it possible that such a city has not been left whole--has not been spared by the foe?" Compare left, [Lu 17:35], . So Israel "left" standing some of the Canaanite cities ([Jos 11:13]).
of my joy--that is, in which I delighted.
26. Therefore--that is, Since Damascus is doomed to fall, therefore, &c.
27. palaces of Ben-hadad--that palace from which so many evils and such cruelty to Israel emanated; thus implying the cause of Damascus' overthrow. Not the Ben-hadad of [2Ki 13:3]; [Am 1:4]; it was a common name of the Syrian kings (compare [1Ki 15:18]; meaning "son of Hadad," the idol).
28. Kedar--son of Ishmael ([Ge 25:13]). The Kedarenes led a wandering predatory life in Arabia-Petræa, as the Bedouin Arabs ([2Ch 21:16], ; [Psa 120:5]). Kedar means "blackness" ([So 1:5]).
Hazor--not the city in Palestine, but a district in Arabia-Petræa. "Kingdoms" refer to the several combinations of clans, each under its own sheik.
men of the east--Kedar and Hazor were east of Judea ([Jud 6:3]; [Job 1:3]).
29. tents--in which they dwelt, from which they are called Scenites, that is, tent dwellers.
curtains--namely, with which the tents were covered ([Jr 4:20]; ; [Psa 104:2]).
they shall cry unto them, Fear, &c.--The foe, on crying, Fear ..., shall discomfit them (the Kedarenes) by their mere cry.
30. (See on [Jr 49:8]). No conqueror would venture to follow them into the desert.
31. wealthy--rather, "tranquil" ([1Ch 4:40]).
neither gates nor bars--The Arabs, lying out of the track of the contending powers of Asia and Africa, took no measures of defense and had neither walled cities nor gates ([Eze 38:11]). They thought their scanty resources and wilderness position would tempt no foe.
alone--separated from other nations, without allies; and from one another scattered asunder. So as to Israel's isolation ([Nu 23:9]; [De 33:28]; [Mi 7:14]).
32. camels--their chief possessions; not fields or vineyards.
in utmost ... corners--who seemed least likely to be dispersed. Or else, "having the hair shaven (or clipped) in angles" ([Jr 9:26]; ) [Grotius].
calamity from all sides--which will force even those in "corners" to "scatter" themselves.
33. (Mal 1:3).
34. Elam--part of Susiana, west of Persia proper, but used to designate Persia in general. Elam proper, or Elymais, nearer Judea than Persia, is probably here meant; it had helped Nebuchadnezzar against Judea; hence its punishment. It may have been idolatrous, whereas Persia proper was mainly monotheistic.
35. bow--Elam was famed for its bowmen ([Is 22:6]).
chief of their might--in opposition to "bow," that is, bowmen, who constituted their main strength.
36. four winds, &c.--Nebuchadnezzar's army containing soldiers from the four quarters.
37. consumed--as a distinct nation ([Da 8:2-27]). Fulfilled under Alexander and his successors.
38. I will show Myself King by My judgments there, as though My tribunal were erected there. The throne of Cyrus, God's instrument, set up over Media, of which Elam was a part, may be meant [Grotius]; or rather, that of Nebuchadnezzar ([Jr 43:10]). Then the restoration of Elam ([Jr 49:39]) will refer partly to that which took place on the reduction of Babylon by Cyrus, prince of Persia and Media.
39. latter days--The full restoration belongs to gospel times. Elamites were among the first who heard and accepted it ([Ac 2:9]).
Chapter 50
Jr 50:1-46. Babylon's Coming Downfall; Israel's Redemption
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 ([Jr 51:59], ). 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.
1. Compare Is 45:1-47:15. But as the time of fulfilment drew nearer, the prophecies are now proportionally more distinct than then.
2. Declare ... among ... nations--who would rejoice at the fall of Babylon their oppressor.
standard--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 ([Jr 51:12], ), [Maurer].
Bel--the tutelary god of Babylon; the same idol as the Phoenician Baal, that is, lord, the sun ([Is 46:1]).
confounded--because unable to defend the city under their protection.
Merodach--another Babylonian idol; meaning in Syria "little lord"; from which Merodach-baladan took his name.
3. a nation--the Medes, north of Babylon ([Jr 51:48]). 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.
4. 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 ([Ne 9:38]; ). The full event is yet to come ([Jr 31:9]; [Ho 1:11]; [Zec 12:10]).
weeping--with joy at their restoration beyond all hope; and with sorrow at the remembrance of their sins and sufferings ([Ezr 3:12], ; [Psa 126:5], ).