Jeremiah 51:31-32

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 51:31

One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another ,.... That is, one post should be after another, and one messenger after another, post upon post, and messenger upon messenger, as fast as they could run; when one had been with his message, and delivered it, and returned, he meets another; or they met one another, coming from different places: to show the king of Babylon his city is taken at one end ; or, "at the end" F12 מקצה "a fine", Montanus; "ab... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:32

And that the passages are stopped ,.... Or "taken", or "seized" F15 נתפשו "praeoccupata", V. L. "comprehensa", Montanus; "occupati", Tigurine version, Schmidt. ; where Cyrus placed soldiers to keep them; these were the passages leading from the river Euphrates to the city, the keys of it; the little gates, that Herodotus F16 L. 1. sive Clio, c. 191. speaks of, leading to the river, which were left open that night. Kimchi thinks the towers built by the river side, to keep the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:31

One post shall run to meet another - As the city was taken by surprise, in the manner already related, so now messengers, one after another, were dispatched to give the king information of what was done; viz., that the city was taken at one end. Herodotus tells us that the extreme parts of the city were taken, before those of the center knew any thing of the invasion. Herodot. lib. 1 c. 191. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:32

That the passages are stopped - Either the bridges or slips for boats, by which the inhabitants passed from one side to the other, and may mean the principal gates or passes in the city, which the victorious army would immediately seize, that they might prevent all communication between the inhabitants. The reeds they have burned with fire - What this means I cannot tell, unless it refer to something done after the taking of the city. Setting fire to the reeds in the marshy ground, in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:31

Verse 31 This also was fulfilled according to the testimony of heathen authors, as well as of Daniel. They do not indeed repeat these words, but according to the whole tenor of history we may easily conclude that messengers ran here and there, for the Babylonians never thought that the enemy could so suddenly penetrate into the city, for there was no entrance. We have seen how high the walls were, for there were no muskets then, and the walls could not have been beaten down. There were indeed... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:32

Verse 32 This verse most clearly proves that Jeremiah was God’s herald, and that his language was under the guidance of the celestial Spirit; for he sets forth the manner in which Babylon was taken, as though he had witnessed it with his own eyes. He says that the fords were taken, and that the pools were burnt with fire. We do not read that Cyrus had made use of fire; and some render pools, reeds, but there is no reason to constrain us so to render the word; for the Prophet speaks... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:6-50

The duty of separating from the world. I. IN WHAT SENSE OBLIGATORY UPON THE CHILDREN OF GOD . 1 . Spiritual detachment is always the duty of saints. In heart and life they are to be separate unto the Lord. Their motives, ulterior aims, and dispositions are to be such as the Holy Spirit creates and fosters. They obey the law of the resurrection life, and "seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, setting their affection on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:27-37

A more detailed sketch of the conquest of Babylon; followed (somewhat out of the natural order) by a complaint on the part of Israel, and a promise of championship on that of Jehovah. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 51:31

One post shall run to meet another, etc. The wall being broken through at various points, couriers would meet each other on their way to the royal palace. This was itself a fortress in the centre of the city, on the Euphrates. The newly discovered cylinder inscription, however, shows that Nabonidus, the last King of Babylon, was not actually in the city at the time of the capture. At one end; rather, from end to end ( see on Jeremiah 50:26 ). read more

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