Jeremiah 51:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 51:1-58

The particulars of this copious prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to so often that it could not well be divided into parts, but we must endeavor to collect them under their proper heads. Let us then observe here, I. An acknowledgment of the great pomp and power that Babylon had been in and the use that God in his providence had made of it (Jer. 51:7): Babylon hath been a golden cup, a rich and glorious empire, a golden city (Isa. 14:4), a head of gold... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:12

Set up the standard - A call to the enemies of Babylon to invest the city and press the siege. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:12

Verse 12 These words seem to have been addressed to the Chaldeans rather than to the Medes or the Persians, as some expound them; for this is favored by the context; for as he bids them first to raise a standard on the walls, so he adds, Increase the watch, which refers to the citizens of Babylon, and then he says, set the watchmen All this cannot apply to the Persians and the Medes, but must be referred to the besieged, as being most suitable to them. I do not then doubt but that the Prophet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:5-14

The covenant between Jehovah and Israel is one reason why Babylon must fall; and Babylon's own guilt is another. Hence pity is out of place. "Here liveth piety where pity ends; Can any man be guilty more than he Whose bias with the doom of God contends?" (Dante, 'Inferno,' 20.28, Cayley.) Flee, therefore, lest ye be involved in Babylon's ruin. For Jehovah's purpose of vengeance cannot be reversed. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:6-50

The duty of separating from the world. I. IN WHAT SENSE OBLIGATORY UPON THE CHILDREN OF GOD . 1 . Spiritual detachment is always the duty of saints. In heart and life they are to be separate unto the Lord. Their motives, ulterior aims, and dispositions are to be such as the Holy Spirit creates and fosters. They obey the law of the resurrection life, and "seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, setting their affection on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:12

Upon the walls of Babylon; rather, toward the walls (as Jeremiah 4:6 ). The "standard" was carried before the army, to show the direction of the march. Make the watch strong. Not merely for the safety of the invaders, but to blockade the city. Comp. the phrase, "Watchers [a synonymous Hebrew word is used] came from a far country" ( Jeremiah 4:16 ); i.e. besiegers. Prepare the ambushes. To press into the city when the besieged have made a sally (as Joshua 8:14-19 ; 20:33 , ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 51:12

Upon the walls of Babylon - Or, “against the walls.” The King James Version takes the word ironically, as a summons to Babylon to prepare for her defense; others take it as a summons to the army to make the attack. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 51:11-12

Jeremiah 51:11-12. Make bright the arrows, gather the shields Hebrew, מלאו השׁלשׂים , the quivers. Thus the LXX., πληρουτε τας φαρετρας , with whom agree the Vulgate, Castalio, and others. The meaning is, Prepare all the instruments of war to defend yourselves, ye Babylonians, for you will have need of them all. The Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes Neriglissar, king of Babylon, having formed an alliance against the Medes, Cambyses sent his son Cyrus with an army... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:1-33

The overthrow of Babylon (51:1-33)When a farmer, after reaping his harvest, winnows the wheat, he throws it into the air so that as the wind blows away the chaff, he can gather the grain for himself. Similarly, when God ‘winnows’ Babylon he will make a separation between the Babylonians and his own people. He will ‘blow away’ the former in judgment, but will preserve the latter for himself (51:1-5).God had used Babylon to punish other nations, but now Babylon itself will suffer God’s wrath. It... read more

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