Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 51:1-58

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

The particulars of this prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to again. Babylon is abundant in treasures, yet neither her waters nor her wealth shall secure her.

Destruction comes when they did not think of it. Wherever we are, in the greatest depths, at the greatest distances, we are to remember the Lord our God; and in the times of the greatest fears and hopes, it is most needful to remember the Lord.

The feeling excited by Babylon's fall is the same with the New Testament Babylon, Rev. 18:9,19. The ruin of all who support idolatry, infidelity, and superstition, is needful for the revival of true godliness; and the threatening prophecies of Scripture yield comfort in this view.

The great seat of antichristian tyranny, idolatry, and superstition, the persecutor of true Christians, is as certainly doomed to destruction as ancient Babylon. Then will vast multitudes mourn for sin, and seek the Lord.

Then will the lost sheep of the house of Israel be brought back to the fold of the good Shepherd, and stray no more. And the exact fulfilment of these ancient prophecies encourages us to faith in all the promises and prophecies of the sacred Scriptures.

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commentaryThe Judgment of Babylon. (b. c. 595.)THE JUDGMENT OF BABYLON. (B. C. 595.) 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 en…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:1-64EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:1Against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me. The Hebrew has lēb-kāmai, which is Kasdim, or Chaldea, written in the cypher called Athbash (see on Jeremiah 25:26); just as Sheshach in Jeremiah 5…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:2Farmers. This is supported by the Septuagint, Peshito, Targum, Vulgate, according to the Massoretic pointing, however, we should render "enemies." Possibly the prophet intended to suggest both meanings, a and o being so…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:3Against him that bendeth, etc. There are two readings in the Hebrew Bible—one that given by the Authorized Version; the other, "Against him that bendeth (let) him that bendeth his bow (come)." The difficulty, however, i…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:4In her streets; i.e. in the streets of Babylon.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5-14The covenant between Jehovah and Israel is one reason why Babylon must fall; and Babylon's own guilt is another. Hence pity is out of place. "Here liveth piety where pity ends; Can any man be guilty more than he Whose b…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5Suffering, but not forsaken. Israel is not forsaken because she is driven from her home. Babylon is not more favoured because she flourishes for a season as a "golden cup in the Lord's hand." For the land of the Chaldea…Joseph S. Exell and contributors