Introduction
I. The oracle against Babylon chs. 50-51
Jeremiah wrote almost as much about Babylon’s future as he did about the futures of all the other nations in his other oracles combined. The length of this oracle reflects the great importance of Babylon in his ministry, as well as its role in the ancient Near East in his day.
"Fittingly, the empire which struck the most devastating blow ever suffered by the kingdom of David, receives the longest series of oracles about her own future." [Note: Kidner, p. 148.]
The 110 verses in these two chapters undoubtedly consist of several different messages that the prophet received from the Lord at various times, which the writer brought together in this collection. Two themes predominate: the judgment coming on Babylon, and the restoration of Israel and Judah to their homeland. The oracular material appears in three types of rhetorical statements: those dealing with war against Babylon, Israel’s departure from Babylon, and historical reminiscences. [Note: See M. Kessler, "Rhetoric in Jeremiah 50, 51," Semitics 3 (1973):3-32.]
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