Jeremiah 51:20-24 NIV

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 51:20

Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war ,.... This is said by the Lord, either to Cyrus, as some, to which our version inclines, whom God made use of as an instrument to subdue nations and kingdoms, and destroy them; see Isaiah 45:1 ; or rather Babylon, and the king of it, who had been the hammer of the earth, Jeremiah 50:23 ; as it may be rendered here, "thou art my hammer" F19 מפץ אתה לי "malleus es, vel fuisti mihi", Pagninus, Piscator, Cocceius, Schmidt. ; or,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:21

And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider ,.... Or, "have broken": meaning the cavalry of an army, wherein lies its chief strength: and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider ; which were also used in war. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:22

And with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman ,.... Or, "have broken"; having no respect to any sex, and to the propagation of posterity: and with thee will I break in pieces old and young ; not sparing men of any age, however useful they might be, the one for their wisdom, the other for their strength: and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid ; who by procreation of children might fill and strengthen commonwealths. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:23

And I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock ,.... Or, have broken; which Abarbinel thinks respects the Arabians particularly, who were shepherds, and dwelt in tents; but it rather signifies shepherds and their flocks in general; who were killed or scattered wherever his armies came, which spared none, even the most innocent and useful, and though unarmed: and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen ; with which he ploughed his ground:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:24

And I will render unto Babylon, and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea ,.... Or, "but I will render" F23 ושלמתי "sed rependam", Piscator; "sed retribuam", Schmidt. , &c.; though I have made this use of Babylon, she shall not be spared, but receive her just recompense of reward; not the city of Babylon only, but the whole land of Chaldea, and all the inhabitants of it: all their evil that they have done in Zion, in your sight, saith the Lord ; the sense is, that for all the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:20

Thou art my battle axe - I believe Nebuchadnezzar is meant, who is called, Jeremiah 50:23 , the hammer of the whole earth. Others think the words are spoken of Cyrus. All the verbs are in the past tense: "With thee have I broken in pieces," etc., etc. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:24

And I will render - The ו vau should be translated but, of which it has here the full power: "But I will render unto Babylon." read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:20

Verse 20 The Prophet here obviates the doubts of many; for as he had spoken of the destruction of Babylon, it might have been readily objected, that the monarchy which was fortified by so many defenses, and which had subjugated all the neighboring nations, was impregnable. Hence the Prophet here shows that the power and wealth of Babylon were no hindrances that God should not destroy it whenever he pleased; for it is an argument derived from what is contrary. We have before seen that God roots... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:24

Verse 24 The Prophet, after having reminded the Jews that all that they had suffered from the Babylonians had been justly inflicted on account of their sins, and that God had been the author of all their calamities, now subjoins, I will render to Babylon and to the Chaldeans what they have deserved. It may, however, appear strange at the first view, that God should here threaten the Babylonians; for if their services depended on his command, they seemed doubtless to have deserved praise rather... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:24

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:24

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