Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

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 51:2

And I will send unto Babylon farmers, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land ,.... Or, "strangers that shall fan her" F3 זרים "alienos", Cocceius; some in Vatablus; so Kimchi, Ben Melech, Abendana. ; meaning the Medes and Persians, who should be like a strong wind upon the mountains, where corn, having been threshed, was fanned, and the chaff carried away by the wind; and such would the Chaldeans be in the hand of the Persians, scattered and dispersed among the nations as chaff... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:2

And will send - fanners - When the corn is trodden out with the feet of cattle, or crushed out with a heavy wheel armed with iron, with a shovel they throw it up against the wind, that the chaff and broken straw may be separated from it. This is the image used by the prophet; these people shall be trodden, crushed, and fanned by their enemies. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:2

Verse 2 Here he explains himself more clearly, without the metaphor he had used. He no longer uses the similitude of wind when he declares that he would send fanners At the same time some take זארים, zarim, in the sense of aliens, who would banish her; but this would be harsh. I then doubt not but that the Prophet alludes to the wind before mentioned. He does not indeed continue that metaphor; but yet what he says corresponds with it. Instead of wind he now mentions fanners, or winnowers; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:2

Farmers . This is supported by the Septuagint, Peshito, Targum, Vulgate, according to the Massoretic pointing, however, we should render "enemies." Possibly the prophet intended to suggest both meanings, a and o being so nearly related. Shall empty her land. The original has a much mere striking word, shall pour out (for the figures, comp. Jeremiah 48:12 ), which occurs again in similar contexts in Isaiah 24:1 ; Nahum 2:3 (Hebrew, 2). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 51:1-2

Jeremiah 51:1-2. Behold, I will raise up against Babylon Darius and Cyrus, who came against Babylon, came by a divine instinct. God excited their spirits to accomplish his purpose against that idolatrous city, and the oppressive government which had its seat there. Against them that dwell in the midst Hebrew, in the heart; of them that rise up against me That is, in the centre of the country of mine adversaries, which by a circumlocution means the same as Babylon itself. A destroying... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 51:2

fanners . . . fan = winnowers . . . winnow. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Jeremiah 51:2

Jeremiah 51:2. Fanners, &c.— Winnowers, &c. This image is frequently made use of by the Hebrew prophets to represent the ease with which the Almighty disperses and destroys his enemies. See Isaiah 21:10. read more

Group of Brands