Jeremiah 51:3

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 51:3

Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow ,.... These are either the words of the Lord to the Medes and Persians, to the archers among them, to bend their bows and level their arrows against the Chaldeans, who had bent their bows and shot their arrows against others; or of the Medes and Persians stirring up one another to draw their bows, and fight manfully against the enemy: and against him that lifteth up himself in his brigandine ; or coat of mail; that swaggers about... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:3

Verse 3 Interpreters give various expositions of this verse. Some understand a soldier of light armor by him who bends the bow; and by him who elevates himself in his coat of mail, they understand a heavy-armed, soldier, There is also another difference; some take אל, al, for לא, la, when it is said ואל יתעל , veal itol, because a copulative follows; and the words seem not to be well connected, if we read thus, “As to him who raises himself up in his coat of mail, and spare ye not,” etc.; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:3

Against him that bendeth, etc. There are two readings in the Hebrew Bible—one that given by the Authorized Version; the other, "Against him that bendeth (let) him that bendeth his bow (come)." The difficulty, however, is in the first two words of the clause, which are the same in either reading. It would be much simpler to alter a single point, and render, "Let not the archer bend his bow; and let him not lift himself up in his coat of mail" (for the old word "brigandine," see on Jeremiah... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 51:3

The man who bends the bow, and the heavy-armed soldier who vaunts himself in his coat of mail (Jeremiah 46:4 note), represent the Babylonians who defend the city. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 51:3-5

Jeremiah 51:3-5. Against him that bendeth let the archer bend See Jeremiah 50:14; and against him, that lifteth up himself in his brigandine Or, coat of mail: suffer not them who are skilful in using the bow, or armed in coats of mail, to avail themselves any thing of their skill or their armour, but oppose them with superior skill and force. Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans There seems to be a transposition of words in this sentence, the sense certainly being, ... 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 51:3

Against him that bendeth, &c. The Massorah ( App-30 ), instead of cancelling the repeated word "against . . . and against" ('el), directs the substitution of 'al, "not . . . and not". The verse will then read, "Let not the archer bend his bow, nor let him lift himself up in his coat of mail" (i.e. in defence of Babylon). This is so read in two early printed editions, Chaldee, Syriac, Vulgate, and Revised Version. brigandine = coat of mail. destroy = break down. Hebrew. haram. Same... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Jeremiah 51:3

Jeremiah 51:3. Against him that bendeth— Let not him who bendeth the bow relax his hand; let him not put off his armour. Houbigant. And against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine— And let him not lift up himself in his brigandine. This is exactly parallel in sense to the preceding part of the verse, if the posture of him that stoops to bend the bow be considered. For in using the large and strong steel bows, which could not be bent by the force of the arms, they rested one end upon... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 51:3

3. Against him that bendeth—namely, the bow; that is, the Babylonian archer. let the archer bend—that is, the Persian archer (Jeremiah 50:4). The Chaldean version and JEROME, by changing the vowel points, read, "Let not him (the Babylonian) who bendeth his bow bend it." But the close of the verse is addressed to the Median invaders; therefore it is more likely that the first part of the verse is addressed to them, as in English Version, not to the Babylonians, to warn them against resistance as... read more

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