ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Jeremiah 50

Jer. 50:1–2 Babylon is taken. Persia conquered Babylon in 539 b.c. (Isa. 13:1–14:23; 21:9). Bel was the title (“Lord”) of the chief god of Babylon, depicted as a storm god and source of life (Isa. 46:1). Merodach (Babylonian “Marduk”) was the personal name of this god.

Jer. 50:3 In Jeremiah, trouble comes from the north (1:14). Like Judah’s cities (4:27; 10:22; 25:18; etc.), Babylon shall become a desolation (Isa. 13:9).

Jer. 50:4–5 When Babylon falls, Israel and Judah shall join together (3:6–18) to seek the Lord their God (31:9). everlasting covenant. The new covenant (32:40; see 31:31–40).

Jer. 50:6 From mountain to hill they have gone. Probably for fertility cult worship (2:20).

Jer. 50:7 Because their leaders (“shepherds,” v. 6) have led them astray and then forsaken them, Israel and Judah have been devoured by their foes, all of whom God has sent (27:1–15). their habitation of righteousness. God is his people’s only security (31:23) and only righteousness (23:6). the hope of their fathers. He is the covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and their offspring (33:26).

Jer. 50:11–13 Babylon once rejoiced over its destruction of Judah, God’s heritage, like a calf frolicking or a stallion snorting. Soon Babylon will be ashamed and become an utter desolation (see v. 2).

Jer. 50:14–15 Just as Judah and Israel faced defeat because they sinned against the Lord, the same will happen to Babylon for the same reason. Babylon’s defeat is the vengeance of the Lord for all her oppressive ways.

Jer. 50:18 Just as God used Babylon to punish Assyria (c. 612–609 b.c.), so God will use Persia to punish Babylon (539).

Jer. 50:20 When God restores his people, no sin will be found in them, not because they have never sinned, but because he will pardon them (31:34) and purify their hearts (see Rev. 21:27).

Jer. 50:24 you did not know it. The defeat surprised Babylon. opposed the Lord. In part by crediting its success to its own power and its own gods (Isa. 10:5–19), but more significantly by not worshiping and serving the one true God.

Jer. 50:25 The armies that defeat Babylon carry the weapons of God’s wrath (v. 9; Isa. 13:1–5).

Jer. 50:26 Babylon’s dead will be piled up like heaps of grain pouring out of granaries. devote her to destruction. See note on 25:8–9.

Jer. 50:27 bulls. A technical term for choice young bulls, probably referring to Babylon’s soldiers (Isa. 34:6–7). go down to the slaughter. A picture of defeat in battle (Jer. 48:15).

Jer. 50:30 See 49:26. on that day. God’s day of judging Babylon.

Jer. 50:31 O proud one. As was true of Assyria (Isa. 10:5–34), Babylon’s pride was the cause of its downfall.

Jer. 50:32 none to raise him up. No ally will be able to deliver Babylon on the day of punishment.

Jer. 50:33 held them fast. Part of Babylon’s sin against God was its oppression of Israelite and Judean captives. Once held, they were never released. Babylon was like the pharaoh of the exodus (Ex. 5:2).

Jer. 50:34 Redeemer. A kinsman who avenged, protected, secured release, and retained property for a relative (Lev. 25:23–34, 47–55). plead their cause. Act as Israel’s advocate in a legal case. rest to the earth. From Babylon’s oppressive ways. unrest to . . . Babylon. Literally, “shake” Babylon with war and destruction.

Jer. 50:37 foreign troops. Paid foreign solders. that they may become women! That is, weak in terms of physical strength in combat. It was shameful for a nation to allow women to fight in war. See note on Nah. 3:12–13.

Jer. 50:38 Babylon’s idols will not be able to help when God dries up the nation’s waters.

Jer. 50:39–40 See Isa. 13:19–22. These verses paint a picture of defeat and desolation.