Jeremiah 49:24-27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 49:23-27

The kingdom of Syria lay north of Canaan, as that of Edom lay south, and thither we must now remove and take a view of the approaching fate of that kingdom, which had been often vexatious to the Israel of God. Damascus was the metropolis of that kingdom, and the ruin of the whole is supposed in the ruin of that: yet Hamath and Arpad, two other considerable cities, are names (Jer. 49:23), and the palaces of Ben-hadad, which he built, are particularly marked for ruin, Jer. 49:27; see also Amos... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 49:24

Damascus is waxed feeble ,.... Or, "is become remiss" F7 רפתה "remissa erit", Junius & Tremellius; "remissa est", Cocceius, Piscator; "remissa facta est", Schmidt. ; her hands hang down, not being able through fear and fright to lift them up against the enemy; that is, the inhabitants of Damascus, as the Targum: and turneth herself to flee ; instead of going out to meet the enemy, the inhabitants of this city meditated a flight, and turned their backs upon him in order to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 49:25

How is the city of praise not left ,.... The city of Damascus, famous for its antiquity, its wealth and riches, strength and power; and with the Heathens for its devotion and superstition. So Julian F9 Opera, par. 2. Ep. 24. p. 145. the emperor calls it, "the truly city of Jupiter; the eye of the whole east; Damascus the holy and the greatest;' but more especially for its delightful and pleasant situation. Benjamin Tudelensis F11 Itinerarium, p. 54, 55. says it was, in his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 49:26

Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets ,.... Or "verily" F15 לכן "certe", Gataker. so Jarchi interprets it as an oath; Jehovah swearing that so it should be; that her young men, her choice ones such who were the flower of the city, and on whom its future prosperity depended; these should fall by the sword of the Chaldeans in the streets of the city, when having entered, and taken it: and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the Lord of hosts ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 49:27

And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus ,.... Signifying either that, a breach being made there the destruction of the city should begin, and be carried on until it was completed; or it may be understood literally, that first the houses built upon the wall should beset on fire by the Chaldeans, through the divine permission, and according to his order and wilt, and therefore ascribed to him, which should proceed further. Compare with this 2 Corinthians 11:32 ; and it shall... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 49:25

How is the city of praise not left - Damascus is so ruined that she can no more be called a praiseworthy or happy city. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 49:27

The palaces of Ben-hadad - Damascus was a seat of the Syrian kings, and Ben-hadad was a name common to several of its kings. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 49:24

Verse 24 The Prophet goes on with the same subject, for as the kingdom of Syria had flourished, and had been eminent in wealth and power, it was hardly credible that it could so soon be overthrown. This, then, is the reason why the Prophet, according to his usual manner, describes at large the ruin of that kingdom in order to confirm what he said. He then says, relaxed, or weakened, is Damascus This verb, indeed, sometimes means to cease: he means that she was broken in strength. But under the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 49:25

Verse 25 Some think “my” to be redundant, and therefore render it “the city of joy;” (43) but they seem to be induced by no good reason; for they think it absurd that it should be called a city of joy to the Prophet, since he ought not to have regarded Damascus with any love or kindness. But the prophets, we know, do not always speak according to their own feelings, but assume the persons of others. We might then fitly read the words as they are, the city of my joy! Besides, Jeremiah very... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 49:26

Verse 26 Here the Prophet in a manner corrects himself, and declares, that though the ruin of Damascus would astonish all, yet it was certain; and so I explain the particle לכן,lacen It is regarded by the Hebrews as a particle assigning a reason — therefore, for this cause. They then think that a reason is here expressed why God had decreed to destroy that city, even because it had formerly made war with the Israelites, and then with the Jews, and thus it had not ceased to persecute the Church... read more

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