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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 51:59-64

We have been long attending the judgment of Babylon in this and the foregoing chapter; now here we have the conclusion of that whole matter. 1. A copy is taken of this prophecy, it should seem by Jeremiah himself, for Baruch his scribe is not mentioned here (Jer. 51:60): Jeremiah wrote in a book all these words that are here written against Babylon. He received this notice that he might give it to all whom it might concern. It is of great advantage both to the propagating and to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:63

And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book ,.... To the captive Jews; and having also said the above words by way of prayer and approbation: that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates ; a river by which Babylon was situated. The book, being read, was to be rolled up again, and then a stone tied to it, and cast into the middle of the river, where the waters were deepest, and from whence it could not be taken up; and this was a sign... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:63

Verse 63 He afterwards adds, And when thou hast made an end of reading, thou shalt tie a stone to it and cast it into the Euphrates, and shalt say, Thus sink shall Babylon Here is added an external symbol to confirm the faith of Seraiah. We must yet bear in mind, that this was not said to Seraiah for his own sake alone, but that the people might also know, that the king’s messenger, who had been sent for the sake of conciliating, was also the messenger of God and of the Prophet, who might have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:52-64

The book cast into the river. I. MEN DO NOT SUFFER FOR THEIR SINS WITHOUT WARNING FROM GOD . Seraiah was to go to Babylon and see that he read there the words of the prophecy concerning the city. God has warned us of the doom of sin, and he has sent the warning to us. We have not to search for it. It sounds in our ears. It is written large in the Bible. It is repeated in the lessons of providence. II. IF A DIVINE WARNING IS DISREGARDED IT IS USELESS... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:59-64

Epilogue . The word, etc. (see Jeremiah 51:61 ). Seraiah . Apparently the brother of Baruch. With Zedekiah. The Septuagint has "from Zedekiah," which is referred by Bleek and Gratz. It would thus be an embassy, of which Seraiah was the head. According to the ordinary reading, Zedekiah went himself. A quiet prince. Not so. The Hebrew means probably, "in command over the resting place," i.e. he took charge of the royal caravan, and arranged the halting places. But the Targum and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:63-64

A symbol of irretrievable loss. It was fitting that the exhibition and record of a symbol such as this should close the long denunciation of Babylon. Where God determines to destroy no man can either avert or recover. This stone, perhaps, still lies at the bottom of Euphrates, and possibly even there may be something to signify the book once attached to it. We know not what relics of Old Testament times might yet be disentombed, what confirmations and revelations are still in actual... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 51:59-64

Historical appendix. In his fourth year Zedekiah journeyed to Babylon either to obtain some favor from Nebuchadnezzar, or because he was summoned to be present on some state occasion. Jeremiah took the opportunity of sending to the exiles at Babylon this prophecy.Jeremiah 51:59Seraiah - Brother to Baruch.A quiet prince - literally, “prince of the resting place, i. e., quartermaster.” It was his business to ride forward each day, and select the place where the king would halt and pass the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 51:63-64

Jeremiah 51:63-64. And thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates The prophets, as we have seen, frequently gave sensible representations of the judgments they foretold: see Jeremiah 19:10. This now given was a significant emblem of Babylon’s sinking irrecoverably under the judgments here denounced against her: compare Revelation 18:21. This threatening was in a literal sense fulfilled by Cyrus’s breaking down the head or dam of the great lake, which was on the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:59-64

Jeremiah’s message sent to Babylon (51:59-64)When Jeremiah finished writing down his announcement of Babylon’s downfall, he sent it with Seraiah to be read to the exiles in Babylon. (Seraiah was the brother of Baruch and probably a court official; cf. v. 59 with 32:12.) On this occasion, Seraiah went with Zedekiah on a visit the king made to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign (59-62).After reading the scroll to the exiles, Seraiah was to tie a stone to it and throw it into the Euphrates,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Jeremiah 51:63

Jeremiah 51:63. Thou shalt bind a stone to it, &c.— The prophets, as we have seen, frequently gave sensible representations of judgments which they foretold. The present was a sufficient and striking emblem of Babylon's sinking irrecoverably under the judgments here denounced against her. This threatening was in a literal sense fulfilled by Cyrus's breaking down the head or dam of the great lake, which was on the west side of the city, in order to turn the current of the river that way; for... read more

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