Jeremiah 51

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:7

Babylon hath been a golden cup in the hand of the Lord ,.... Either so called from the liquor in it, being of a yellow colour, or pure as gold, as the Jewish commentators generally; or from the matter of it, being made of gold, denoting the grandeur, splendour, and riches of the Babylonian empire; which, for the same reason, is called the head of gold, Daniel 2:38 ; this was in the hand of the Lord, under his direction, and at his dispose; an instrument he make use of to dispense the cup... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:8

Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed ,.... Or "broken" F7 תשבר "confracta est", Schmidt; "fracta est", Cocceius; "contrita est", Piscator. ; even into shivers, as a cup is; for when it had been used to answer the purposes designed by the Lord, he let it fall cut of his hands at once, and it was broken; or rather he dashed it in pieces, as a potter's vessel. The destruction of Babylon was brought about in a very short time, considering the strength of it; and was unexpected by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:9

We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed ,.... These are either the words of the friends of Babylon of her auxiliaries and allies, who did all they could to defend her against the Persians, but to no purpose; it was not in their power to help her; the time of her destruction was come, and there was no avoiding it; or of the prophets and good people of the Jews that were in Babylon, that took pains to convince, the inhabitants of Babylon of their idolatries and other sins, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:10

The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness ,.... Or "righteousnesses" F9 צדקתינו "justitas nostras", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator, Cocceius, Schmidt. this, as Kimchi observes, is spoken in the person of the Israelites; not as though the Jews had done no iniquity, for which they were carried captive; they had committed much, and were far from being righteous in themselves, but were so in comparison of the Chaldeans; and who had gone beyond their commission, and had greatly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:11

Make bright the arrows ,.... Which were covered with rust; scour them of it; anoint them with oil, as armour were wont to be; make them neat, clean, and bright, that they may pierce the deeper; hence we read of a "polished shaft", or arrow, one made bright and pure, Isaiah 49:2 ; agreeably to this some render the word "sharpen the arrows" F11 הברו החצים "acuite sagittas", V. L. Castalio; "exacuite", Montanus. ; so the Targum. The word has the signification of "choosing"; but, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:12

Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon ,.... This is not said to the Medes and Persians, to put up a flag on the walls of Babylon, as a sign of victory, as Kimchi, Abarbinel, and others think; for as yet the city is not supposed to be taken by what follows; but rather to the Babylonians, to set up an ensign on their walls, to gather the inhabitants together, to defend their city, and the bulwarks of it; which, with what follows, is ironically spoken: make the watch strong ; to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:13

O thou that dwellest upon many waters ,.... Here Babylon is addressed, either by the Lord, or by the prophet, or the godly Jews; who is described by her, situation, which was by the great river Euphrates; which being branched out into several canals or rivers, both ran through it, and encompassed it; hence mention is made of the rivers of Babylon, Psalm 137:1 ; and a fit emblem this city was of mystical Babylon, which is also said to sit on many waters, interpreted of people and nations, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:14

The Lord hath sworn by himself, saying ,.... Or, "by his soul" or "life" F17 בנפשו "per animam suam", Pagninus, Cocceius, Schmidt. ; which is himself, than which he cannot swear by a greater, Hebrews 6:13 ; and the certain performance of what he swears unto need not be doubted of; and indeed the design of the oath is to assure of the truth of the thing, about which, after this, there ought to be no hesitation: surely I fill thee with men as with caterpillars ; or "locusts" ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:15

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. The Targum prefaces the words thus, "these things saith he who hath made the earth, &c.;' The verses Jeremiah 51:16 are the same with Jeremiah 10:12 . God is described by his sovereignty, power, and wisdom; and the stupidity of men that trust in idols, and the vanity of them, are exposed, to convince the Babylonians that the Lord, who had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:16

When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. See Gill on Jeremiah 10:13 . read more

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