Jeremiah 51:55-57

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 51:55

Because the Lord hath spoiled Babylon ,.... By means of the Merits and Persians; these were his instruments he made use of; to these he gave commission, power, and strength to spoil Babylon; and therefore it is ascribed to him: and destroyed out of her the great voice ; the noise of people, which is very great in populous cities, where people are passing to and fro in great numbers upon business; which ceases when any calamity comes, as pestilence, famine, or sword, which sweep away the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:56

Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon ,.... That is, Cyrus, with his army: and her mighty men are taken ; unawares, by surprise: everyone of their bows is broken ; they had no strength to withstand the enemy, and were obliged to yield at once; lay down their arms, and submit: for the Lord God of recompences shall surely requite ; that God to whom vengeance belongs, and will recompense it; who is a God of justice and equity, the Judge of all the earth; he will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 51:57

And I will make drunk her princes ,.... With the wine of divine wrath; that is, slay them; though there may be an allusion to their being drunk with wine at the feast Belshazzar made for his thousand lords; who are the princes here intended, together with the king and his royal family, Daniel 5:1 ; and her wise men , her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men : the counsellors of state, priests, magicians, and astrologers; officers in the army, superior and inferior ones; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:55

The great voice - Its pride and insufferable boasting. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:56

The Lord God of recompenses - The fall of Babylon is an act of Divine justice; whatever it suffers, it is in consequence of its crimes. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:57

I will make drunk her princes - See on Jeremiah 51:39 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:55

Verse 55 The reason for the crashing is now added, even because God had resolved to lay waste Babylon, and to reduce it to nothing. Jeremiah again calls the faithful to consider the power of God. He then says, that it would not be a work done by men, because God would put forth his great power, which cannot be comprehended by human minds. He then sets the name of God in opposition to all creatures, as though he had said, that what exceeds all the efforts of men, would yet be easily done by God.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:56

Verse 56 He confirms the former verse; for as the thing of which he speaks was difficult to be believed, he sets God before them, and shows that he would be the author of that war. He now continues his discourse and says, that desolators shall come against Babylon. He had ascribed to God what he now transfers to the Medes and the Persians. He had said, Jehovah hath desolated or wasted, שדד יהוה, shedad Jeve; he says now, coming is a desolator, שודד , shudad. Who is he? not God, but Cyrus,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 51:57

Verse 57 Jeremiah pursues the same subject, he said yesterday that desolators would come to destroy Babylon. He now confirms this by a similitude; and God himself speaks, I will inebriate the princes and captains as well as the soldiers and all the counselors. He seems here to allude to that feast of which Daniel speaks, and of which heathen authors have written. (Daniel 5:1) For while the feast was celebrated by the Babylonians, the city was that night taken, not only through the contrivance... read more

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