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50:1–51:64 The oracles against the nations culminate in this lengthy prophecy against Babylon. The message is simple: Babylon will be defeated and destroyed. However, this message is detailed through short, poetic prophecies, ending with a report of a sign-act symbolizing Babylon’s demise. The themes and imagery used in the poetry have a quality similar to other oracles against foreign nations. This quality is most clearly seen in the adaptation of 49:19–21 against Edom into a new context against Babylon in vv. 44–46. Jeremiah’s message of submission to Babylon in the present (see 27:17) is made more palatable to his exilic audience by emphasizing the certainty of Babylon’s eventual fall and the subordination of its power to the sovereignty of Yahweh.
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Oracles against the Nations Table
50:1 Babylon The dominant world power of Jeremiah’s day. See 21:2 and note.
the land of the Chaldeans Many English translations follow the Hebrew text and refer to the Babylonians as Chaldeans. See note on Isa 43:14.
50:2 Bel is ashamed “Bel” and “Marduk” (“Merodach”) refer to the same Babylonian god.
Marduk ISBE
Marduk DDD
Marduk AYBD
Enuma Elish AYBD
Also known as Bel (see Isa 46:1 and note), Marduk was the chief god of all the Babylonian gods. The Babylonian creation epic Enuma Elish recounts how Marduk ascended to the kingship of the gods. Marduk was a storm god associated with fertility and creation. The deity name is seen in the biblical names “Marduk-baladan” (Isa 39:1; also rendered “Merodach-Baladan”) and “Awel-Marduk” (Jer 52:31; also rendered “Evil-Merodach”). |
Marduk 50:3 from the north Jeremiah’s standard motif of disaster coming from the north (e.g., 1:14; 4:6; 6:1; 10:22). In the earlier examples, the Babylonians are the invaders; now they are the prey. Compare v. 9.
will make her land as a horror Compare 4:27; Isa 13:9.
50:4–7 An oracle of salvation for Israel, emphasizing reunification and a return to Zion. |
50:4 Weeping as they go, they will go Compare Jer 31:7–9.
50:5 by an everlasting covenant Compare 32:40; Isa 55:3 and note; Ezek 16:60 and note.
50:6 lost sheep Needing a shepherd. Compare Jer 13:20; Isa 53:6; Zech 10:2.
their shepherds Refers to Israel’s leaders, who led the people away from Yahweh. Compare Jer 12:10; 23:1. See Isa 63:11 and note; Ezek 34:1–10.
50:9 a contingent of great nations Babylon was conquered by an alliance of the Medes and Persians led by Cyrus the Great in 539 bc.
from the land of the north See Jer 50:3 and note. The homeland of the Medes was north and east of Babylon.
50:10 Chaldea The southern region of Babylon, south of the Euphrates River and the northwest corner of the Persian Gulf. See v. 1 and note.
50:12 your mother A representation of the city of Babylon.
50:13 who passes by Babylon will be appalled Babylon will be an example to others just as Judah had been (see 18:16). Compare the similar image in 49:17.
50:14 she has sinned against Yahweh Babylon will be judged for sinning against Yahweh.
50:17 Israel is a sheep scattered See v. 6 and note.
the king of Assyria Conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 bc. See 2 Kgs 17:6; see note on Isa 10:5.
Nebuchadnezzar See note on Jer 21:2.
gnawed its bones Nebuchadnezzar completed the destruction of Israel and Judah begun by Assyria.
50:18 just as I punished the king of Assyria Compare Isa 14:24–25.
50:19 I will restore Israel to its pasture The locations mentioned here indicate that the prophet envisions the restoration of the northern kingdom.
the hills of Ephraim See note on 4:15.
50:20 there is none Compare 31:34; Isa 40:2.
50:21 Merathaim Means “double rebellion” and is a pun on the Akkadian word marratum, which refers to the marshy region where the Tigris—Euphrates delta merges with the Persian Gulf.
Symbolic Names of People in Hebrew Table
Pekod A region in southeastern Mesopotamia, part of the territory of Babylon. The word means “punishment” in Hebrew and might be another wordplay.
Pekod ISBE
destroy them Compare Isa 34:2 and note. See note on Exod 22:20.
50:28 fugitives and survivors Since the fugitives escaped to announce Yahweh’s judgment on Babylon in Jerusalem, the image is probably of Jewish exiles returning home after Babylon is destroyed.
Zion Refers to Jerusalem.
50:29 Take revenge on her according to her deeds Babylon receives payback for its conquests and oppression.
50:31 I am against you, O arrogant one A challenge formula emphasizing Yahweh’s opposition to Babylon because of its proud defiance. See Jer 21:13 and note.
50:32 I will kindle a fire in his cities Compare the image of judgment against Jerusalem in 17:27. The many parallels between the judgment on Jerusalem and the judgment on Babylon are likely intentional reversals, designed to reassure Israel that Babylon was not favored by Yahweh and would receive the same punishment and more in due time.
50:33–40 The imagery of judgment on Babylon in this passage emphasizes reversals—rest for the earth but unrest for Babylon, the wise are made foolish, the strong are made weak, treasure becomes plunder, and water dries up. |
50:34 redeemer Compare Isa 41:14. Yahweh is frequently pictured as Redeemer in Isa 40–66.
Go’el Word Study
Yahweh of hosts A title identifying God as leader of the heavenly armies. See note on Jer 6:6.
50:37 they may become as women A reversal where the strong will become weak. The Hebrew text presents the reversal using the image that mighty warriors will become “women” (nashim). The statement was an intentional insult invoking gender stereotypes to connote weakness (compare 51:30; Isa 19:16; Nah 3:13). See note on Isa 19:16. Some translations obscure the gender-specific rhetoric by simply translating nashim as though the word itself meant “weaklings.”
50:40 Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors A standard biblical example of divine judgment. See Jer 49:18 and note; compare Isa 13:19.
50:43 heard their report An adaptation of Jer 6:24, which deals with the judgment on Jerusalem.
fear and pain like the woman who gives birth A typical metaphor for anguish and pain. See 4:31; 48:41; 49:24.
50:44–46 The imagery here is identical to 49:19–21. There are numerous parallels in imagery between the oracle against Edom in ch. 49 and the oracle against Babylon in ch. 50. |
who is this shepherd who can stand before me Compare 49:19.
50:45 they will drag them away, the little ones of the flock See 49:20 and note.
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About Faithlife Study BibleFaithlife Study Bible (FSB) is your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments, with study notes and articles that draw from a wide range of academic research. FSB helps you learn how to think about interpretation methods and issues so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the text. |
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