Jeremiah 50:1

CHAPTER L

This and the following chapter contain a prophecy relating to

the fall of Babylon, interspersed with several predictions

relative to the restoration of Israel and Judah, who were to

survive their oppressors, and, on their repentance, to be

pardoned and brought to their own land. This chapter opens with

a prediction of the complete destruction of all the Babylonish

idols, and the utter desolation of Chaldea, through the

instrumentality of a great northern nation, 1-3.

Israel and Judah shall be reinstated in the land of their

forefathers after the total overthrow of the great Babylonish

empire, 4, 5.

Very oppressive and cruel bondage of the Jewish people during

the captivity, 6, 7.

The people of God are commanded to remove speedily from

Babylon, because an assembly of great nations are coming out of

the north to desolate the whole land, 8-10.

Babylon, the hammer of the whole earth, the great desolator of

nations, shall itself become a desolation on account of its

intolerable pride, and because of the iron yoke it has rejoiced

to put upon a people whom a mysterious Providence had placed

under its domination, 11-34.

The judgments which shall fall upon Chaldea, a country addicted

to the grossest idolatry, and to every species of superstition,

shall be most awful and general, as when God overthrew Sodom

and Gomorrah, 35-40.

Character of the people appointed to execute the Divine

judgments upon the oppressors of Israel, 41-45.

Great sensation among the nations at the very terrible and

sudden fall of Babylon, 46.

NOTES ON CHAP. L

Verse Jeremiah 50:1. THE WORD THAT THE LORD SPAKE AGAINST BABYLON] This is also a new head of discourse.

The prophecy contained in this and the following chapter was sent to the captives in Babylon in the fourth year of the reign of Zedekiah. They are very important; they predict the total destruction of the Babylonish empire, and the return of the Jews from their captivity. These chapters were probably composed, with several additions, out of the book that was then sent by Jeremiah to the captives by the hand of Seraiah. See Jeremiah 51:59-24.