Study 34 From the Book of Jeremiah is: Jeremiah 51: 1-58
This chapter may be divided as follows: Babylon’s doom and
Israel’s vindication (verses 1-10); summons to the attackers to press home
their assault (verses 11-14); The Lord in contrast to idols (verses 15-19); the
Lord’s fierce anger against Babylon (verses 20-26); capture of the city (verses
27-33); Israel’s wrong avenged: let her hasten her escape (verses 34-57);
summing up God’s judgment upon Babylon (verse 58).
1.
In the time of her prosperity the idols of Babylon seemed
powerful and mighty; but now in the hour of her fall how do they appear? See
verses 15-19, and cf., 1, 2; Ps. 146: 5-10
2.
What, according to chapters 50 and 51, were the sins of Babylon
which called down upon her such terrible vengeance? How far are these sins
prevalent in the world today?
Notes
1.
Verse 1. Note mg. The Hebrew means literally ‘the heart of those
who rise up against me’.
2.
Verse 3a. The Hebrew is difficult. Either it means that the
defenders of Babylon need not trouble to fight, for it will be of no avail (cf.
verse 30; 31:4; 32:5b); or the text is to be amended, e.g., by omission of the
negatives.
3.
Verse 20. A reference to Cyrus, the conqueror of Babylon.
4.
Verse 27. ‘Ararat, Mimi and Ashkenaz’ were three peoples north
of Babylonia earlier conquered by the Medes.
5.
Verse 36. ‘Her sea’: perhaps a reference to the great lake
Nebuchadrezzar constructed for the defence of the city, or perhaps to the
Euphrates.
6.
Verse 55a. ‘Her mighty voice’: i.e., the noise of the great
city. Verse 55b refers to the roar of the attackers.
7.
Verse 58c. ‘So ends the toil of nations, ends in smoke, and
pagans waste their pains’ (Moffatt).
