---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Jeremiah 51"
description: "CHAPTER 51   :-. CONTINUATION OF THE
PROPHECY AGAINST BABYLON
BEGUN IN THE FIFTIETH
CHAPTER. 1. in the midst of them that rise .
. . against me—literally,"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51"
---

CHAPTER 51

. CONTINUATION OF THE
PROPHECY AGAINST BABYLON
BEGUN IN THE FIFTIETH
CHAPTER.

**1. in the midst of them that rise .
. . against me**—literally, "in the heart" of them.
Compare [Psalms 46:2](../../../kjv/psalms/46/2), "the
midst of the sea," *Margin;* [Psalms 46:2](../../../kjv/psalms/46/2), "the *heart* of the seas"; *Margin;* [Psalms 46:2](../../../kjv/psalms/46/2). In the center of the Chaldeans. "Against Me,"
because they persecute My people. The cabalistic mode of interpreting
*Hebrew* words (by taking the letters in the inverse order of
the alphabet, the last letter representing the first, and so on, [Psalms 46:2](../../../kjv/psalms/46/2)) would give the very word *Chaldeans* here; but the
*mystical* method cannot be intended, as "Babylon" is
plainly so called in the immediately preceding parallel clause.
**wind**—God needs not
warlike weapons to "destroy" His foes; a *wind* or
blast is sufficient; though, no doubt, the "wind" here is
the invading host of Medes and Persians ([Jeremiah 4:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/4/11);
[2 Kings 19:7](../../../kjv/2-kings/19/7)).

**2. fanners**—(See on ). The fanners separate the wheat from the chaff; so God's
judgments shall sweep away guilty Babylon as chaff ().

**3. Against him that bendeth**—namely,
the bow; that is, the Babylonian archer.
**let the archer bend**—that
is, the Persian archer ([Jeremiah 50:4](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/4)).
The *Chaldean version* and JEROME,
by changing the vowel points, read, "Let not him (the
Babylonian) who bendeth his bow bend it." But the close of the
verse is addressed to the Median invaders; therefore it is more
likely that the first part of the verse is addressed to them, as in
*English Version,* not to the *Babylonians,* to warn them
against resistance as vain, as in the *Chaldean version.* The
word "bend" is thrice repeated: "Against him that
bendeth let him that bendeth bend," to imply the utmost
straining of the bow.

**4.** (See on ; [Jeremiah 51:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/5); [Jeremiah 51:5](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/5)).

**5. forsaken**—as a widow
(*Hebrew*). Israel is not severed from her husband, Jehovah (), by a perpetual divorce.
**though . . . sin**—though
the land *of Israel* has been filled with sin, that is, with *the
punishment of their sin,* devastation. But, as the *Hebrew*
means "for," or "and therefore," not "though,"
translate, "and therefore their (the Chaldeans') land has been
filled with (the penal consequences of) their sin" [GROTIUS].

**6.** Warning to the Israelite
captives to flee from Babylon, lest they should be involved in the
punishment of her "iniquity." So as to spiritual Babylon
and her captives ([Revelation 18:4](../../../kjv/revelation/18/4)).

**7.** Babylon is compared to a *cup,*
because she was the vessel in the hand of God, to make drunken with
His vengeance the other peoples ([Jeremiah 13:12](../../../kjv/jeremiah/13/12);
[Jeremiah 25:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/15); [Jeremiah 25:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/16)).
Compare as to spiritual Babylon, [Revelation 14:8](../../../kjv/revelation/14/8);
[Revelation 17:4](../../../kjv/revelation/17/4). The cup is termed
"golden," to express the splendor and opulence of Babylon;
whence also in the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar ([Revelation 17:4](../../../kjv/revelation/17/4)) the *head* representing Babylon is of *gold*
(compare [Isaiah 14:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/4)).

**8, 9.** Her friends and
confederates, who behold her fall, are invited to her aid. They
reply, her case is incurable, and that they must leave her to her
fate. ([Isaiah 21:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/21/9); [Revelation 14:8](../../../kjv/revelation/14/8);
[Revelation 18:2](../../../kjv/revelation/18/2); [Revelation 18:9](../../../kjv/revelation/18/9)).
**balm**— ([Jeremiah 8:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/8/22);
[Jeremiah 46:11](../../../kjv/jeremiah/46/11)).

**9. We would have healed**—We
attempted to heal.
**her judgment**—*her
crimes* provoking God's "judgments" [GROTIUS].
**reacheth unto heaven**—
([Genesis 18:21](../../../kjv/genesis/18/21); [Jonah 1:2](../../../kjv/jonah/1/2);
[Revelation 18:5](../../../kjv/revelation/18/5)). Even the heathen
nations perceive that her awful fall must be God's judgment for her
crying sins ([Psalms 9:16](../../../kjv/psalms/9/16); [Psalms 64:9](../../../kjv/psalms/64/9)).

**10.** Next after the speech of the
confederates of Babylon, comes that of the Jews celebrating with
thanksgivings the promise-keeping faithfulness of their covenant God.
**brought forth,** c.— ().
**our righteousness**—not
the Jews' merits, but God's faithfulness to Himself and to His
covenant, which constituted the "righteousness" of His
people, that is, their *justification* in their controversy with
Babylon, the cruel enemy of God and His people. Compare , "The Lord *our righteousness*" . *Their* righteousness is *His* righteousness.
**declare in Zion**— ().

**11. Make bright**—literally,
"pure." Polish and sharpen.
**gather**—literally,
"fill"; that is, gather in full number, so that none be
wanting. So, "gave in *full* tale" (). GESENIUS, not
so well, translates, "Fill *with your bodies* the shields"
(compare [Song of Solomon 4:4](../../../kjv/song-of-solomon/4/4)). He means to
tell the Babylonians, Make what preparations you will, all will be in
vain (compare [Jeremiah 46:3-6](../../../kjv/jeremiah/46/3-6)).
**kings of . . . Medes**—He
names the Medes rather than the Persians, because Darius, or
Cyaxares, was above Cyrus in power and the greatness of his kingdom.
**temple**— ([Jeremiah 46:3-24](../../../kjv/jeremiah/46/3-24)).

**12.** With all your efforts, your
city shall be taken.
**standard**—to summon the
defenders together to any point threatened by the besiegers.

**13. waters**— ([Jeremiah 51:32](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/32);
[Jeremiah 51:36](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/36); see on [Jeremiah 51:36](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/36)). The Euphrates surrounded the city and, being divided into
many channels, formed islands. Compare as to spiritual Babylon
"waters," that is, "many peoples," [Revelation 17:1](../../../kjv/revelation/17/1);
[Revelation 17:15](../../../kjv/revelation/17/15). A large lake also was
near Babylon.
**measure**—literally,
"cubit," which was the most common measure, and therefore
is used for a *measure* in general. The time for putting a *limit*
to thy covetousness [GESENIUS].
There is no "*and*" in the *Hebrew:* translate,
"thine end, the *retribution* for thy covetousness"
[GROTIUS]. MAURER
takes the image to be from weaving: "the cubit where thou art to
be cut off"; for the web is cut off, when the required number of
cubits is completed ([Isaiah 38:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/38/12)).

**14. by himself**—literally, "by
His soul" ([2 Samuel 15:21](../../../kjv/2-samuel/15/21);
[Hebrews 6:13](../../../kjv/hebrews/6/13)).
**fill . . . with
caterpillars**—locusts ([Hebrews 6:13](../../../kjv/hebrews/6/13)). Numerous as are the citizens of Babylon, the invaders
shall be more numerous.

**15-19.** Repeated from ; except that "Israel" is not in the *Hebrew*
of [Jeremiah 51:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/19), which ought,
therefore, to be translated, "He is the Former of all things,
and (therefore) of the rod of His inheritance" (that is, of the
nation peculiarly His own). In [Jeremiah 51:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/19) the contrast is between the *idols* and God; here it
is between the power of populous *Babylon* and that of God:
"*Thou* dwellest upon many waters" ([Jeremiah 51:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/19)); but God can, by merely "uttering His voice,"
create "many waters" ([Jeremiah 51:19](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/19)). The "earth" (in its *material* aspect) is
the result of His "power"; the "world" (viewed in
its *orderly system*) is the result of His "wisdom,"
&c. ([Jeremiah 51:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/15)). Such an
Almighty Being can be at no loss for resources to effect His purpose
against Babylon.

**20.** (See on ). "Break in pieces" refers to the "hammer"
there (compare [Nahum 2:1](../../../kjv/nahum/2/1), *Margin*).
The *club* also was often used by ancient warriors.

**22. old and young**— ().

**24.** The detail of particulars
([Jeremiah 51:20-23](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/20-23)) is in
order to express the indiscriminate slaughters perpetrated by Babylon
on Zion, which, in just retribution, are all to befall her in turn
([Jeremiah 50:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/15); [Jeremiah 50:29](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/29)).
**in your sight**—addressed
to the Jews.

**25. destroying mountain**—called
so, not from its position, for it lay low ([Jeremiah 51:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/13);
[Genesis 11:2](../../../kjv/genesis/11/2); [Genesis 11:9](../../../kjv/genesis/11/9)),
but from its eminence above other nations, many of which it had
"destroyed"; also, because of its lofty palaces, towers,
hanging gardens resting on arches, and walls, fifty royal cubits
broad and two hundred high.
**roll thee down from the
rocks**—that is, from thy rock-like fortifications and walls.
**burnt mountain**— ([Genesis 11:9](../../../kjv/genesis/11/9)). A volcano, which, after having spent itself in pouring its
"destroying" lava on all the country around, falls into the
vacuum and becomes extinct, the surrounding "rocks" alone
marking where the crater had been. Such was the appearance of Babylon
after its destruction, and as the pumice stones of the volcano are
left in their place, being unfit for building, so Babylon should
never rise from its ruins.

**26. corner . . . stone . . .
foundations**—The *corner-stone* was the most important one
in the building, the *foundation-stones* came next in importance
([Ephesians 2:20](../../../kjv/ephesians/2/20)). So the sense is,
even as there shall be no stones useful for building left of thee, so
no leading *prince,* or *governors,* shall come forth from
thy inhabitants.

**27.** (). As in [Jeremiah 51:12](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/12)
the Babylonians were told to "set up the standard," so here
her foes are told to do so: the latter, to good purpose; the former,
in vain.
**Ararat**—Upper or Major
Armenia, the regions about Mount Ararat.
**Minni**—Lower or Lesser
Armenia. RAWLINSON says
that Van was the capital of Minni. It was conquered by Tettarrassa,
the general of Tetembar II, the Assyrian king whose wars are recorded
on the black obelisk now in the British Museum.
**Ashchenaz**—a descendant
of Japheth ([Genesis 10:3](../../../kjv/genesis/10/3)), who gave
his name to the sea now called the Black Sea; the region bordering on
it is probably here meant, namely, Asia Minor, including places named
Ascania in Phrygia and Bithynia. Cyrus had subdued Asia Minor and the
neighboring regions, and from these he drew levies in proceeding
against Babylon.
**rough caterpillars**—The
horsemen in multitude, and in appearance bristling with javelins and
with crests, resemble "rough caterpillars," or locusts of
the hairy-crested kind ([Nahum 3:15](../../../kjv/nahum/3/15)).

**28. kings of . . . Medes**— (). The satraps and tributary kings under Darius, or
Cyaxares.
**his dominion**—the king
of Media's dominion.

**29. land shall tremble . . . every
purpose of . . . Lord shall be performed**—elegant antithesis
between the *trembling* of the *land* or earth, and the
stability of "every purpose of the Lord" (compare ).

**30. forborne to fight**—for the
city was not taken by force of arms, but by stratagem, according to
the counsel given to Cyrus by two eunuchs of Belshazzar who deserted.
**remained in . . . holds**—not
daring to go forth to fight; many, with Nabonidus, withdrew to the
fortified city Borsippa.

**31.** (See on ).
**One post**—*One courier*
after another shall announce the capture of the city. The couriers
despatched from the walls, where Cyrus enters, shall "*meet*"
those sent by the king. Their confused running to and fro would
result from the sudden panic at the entrance of Cyrus into the city,
which he had so long besieged ineffectually; the Babylonians had
laughed at his attempts and were feasting at the time without fear.
**taken at one end**—which
was not known for a long time to the king and his courtiers feasting
in the middle of the city; so great was its extent that, when the
city was already three days in the enemy's hands, the fact was not
known in some parts of the city [ARISTOTLE,
*Politics,* 3.2].

**32. passages are stopped**—The
guarded fords of the Euphrates are occupied by the enemy (see on ).
**reeds . . . burned**—literally,
"the marsh." After draining off the river, Cyrus "burned"
the stockade of dense tree-like "*reeds*" on its
banks, forming the outworks of the city's fortifications. The burning
of these would give the appearance of the *marsh* or river
itself being on "fire."

**33. like a threshing-floor, it is
time to thresh her**—rather, "like a threshing-floor at the
time of threshing," or "at the time when it is trodden."
The *treading,* or *threshing,* here put before the
*harvest,* out of the natural order, because the prominent
thought is the *treading down* or destruction of Babylon. In the
East the treading out of the corn took place only at harvest-time.
Babylon is like a threshing-floor not trodden for a long time; but
the time of harvest, when her citizens shall be trodden under foot,
shall come [CALVIN]. "Like
a threshing-floor full of corn, so is Babylon now full of riches, but
the time of harvest shall come, when all her prosperity shall be cut
off" [LUDOVICUS DE
DIEU]. GROTIUS
distinguishes the "harvest" from the "threshing";
the former is the slaying of her citizens, the latter the pillaging
and destruction of the city (compare [Joel 3:13](../../../kjv/joel/3/13);
[Revelation 14:15](../../../kjv/revelation/14/15); [Revelation 14:18](../../../kjv/revelation/14/18)).

**34. me**—Zion speaks. Her groans
are what bring down retribution in kind on Babylon ([Jeremiah 50:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/17);
[Psalms 102:13](../../../kjv/psalms/102/13); [Psalms 102:17](../../../kjv/psalms/102/17);
[Psalms 102:20](../../../kjv/psalms/102/20)).
**empty vessel**—He has
drained me out.
**dragon**—The serpent
often "swallows" its prey whole; or a sea monster
[GROTIUS].
**filled his belly . . . cast
me out**—like a beast, which, having "filled" himself
to satiety, "casts out" the rest [CALVIN].
After filling all his storehouses with my goods, he has *cast me
out of this land* [GROTIUS].

**35. my flesh**—which
Nebuchadnezzar hath "devoured" (). Zion thus calls her *kinsmen* () slain throughout the country or carried captives to
Babylon [GROTIUS]. Or, as
"my blood" follows, it and "my flesh" constitute
the *whole man:* Zion, in its totality, its citizens and all its
substance, have been a prey to Babylon's violence ().

**36. plead . . . cause**— ().
**sea**—the Euphrates
([Jeremiah 51:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/13); [Jeremiah 50:38](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/38)).
Compare [Isaiah 19:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/19/5), "sea,"
that is, the Nile ([Isaiah 21:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/21/1)).

**37.** ([Jeremiah 50:26](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/26);
[Jeremiah 50:39](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/39); [Revelation 18:2](../../../kjv/revelation/18/2)).

**38, 39.** The capture of Babylon
was effected on the night of a festival in honor of its idols.
**roar . . . yell**—The
Babylonians were *shouting* in drunken revelry (compare ).

**39. In their heat I will make their
feasts**—In the midst of their being heated with wine, I will
give them "their" potions,—a very different cup to drink,
but one which is *their due,* the wine cup of My stupefying
wrath ([Jeremiah 25:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/15); [Jeremiah 49:12](../../../kjv/jeremiah/49/12);
[Isaiah 51:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/51/17); [Lamentations 4:21](../../../kjv/lamentations/4/21)).
**rejoice, and sleep . . .
perpetual,** c.—that they may *exult,* and in the midst of
their jubilant exultation sleep the sleep of death ([Jeremiah 51:57](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/57)
[Isaiah 21:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/21/4); [Isaiah 21:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/21/5)).

**41. Sheshach**—Babylon (compare
*Note,* see [Jeremiah 25:26](../../../kjv/jeremiah/25/26));
called so from the goddess Shach, to whom a five days' festival was
kept, during which, as in the Roman Saturnalia, the most unbridled
licentiousness was permitted; slaves ruled their masters, and in
every house one called Zogan, arrayed in a royal garment, was chosen
to rule all the rest. He calls Babylon "Sheshach," to imply
that it was during this feast the city was taken [SCALIGER].

**42. The sea**—the host of Median
invaders. The image (compare [Jeremiah 47:2](../../../kjv/jeremiah/47/2);
[Isaiah 8:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/8/7); [Isaiah 8:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/8/8))
is appropriately taken from the Euphrates, which, overflowing in
spring, is like a "sea" near Babylon ([Jeremiah 51:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/13);
[Jeremiah 51:32](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/32); [Jeremiah 51:36](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/36)).

**43. Her cities**—the cities, her
dependencies. So, "Jerusalem and the cities thereof" (). Or, the "cities" are the inner and outer cities,
the two parts into which Babylon was divided by the Euphrates
[GROTIUS].

**44. Bel . . . swallowed**—in
allusion to the many sacrifices to the idol which its priests
pretended it swallowed at night; or rather, the precious gifts taken
from other nations and offered to it (which it is said to have
"swallowed"; compare "devoured," "swallowed,"
[Jeremiah 51:34](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/34); [Jeremiah 50:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/17)),
which it should have to disgorge (compare [Jeremiah 51:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/13);
[Jeremiah 50:37](../../../kjv/jeremiah/50/37)). Of these gifts were
the vessels of Jehovah's temple in Jerusalem ([2 Chronicles 36:7](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/36/7);
[Daniel 1:2](../../../kjv/daniel/1/2)). The restoration of
these, as foretold here, is recorded in [Daniel 1:2](../../../kjv/daniel/1/2).
**flow**—as a river; fitly
depicting the *influx* of pilgrims of all "nations" to
the idol.

**45, 46.** (See on ).

**46. And lest**—Compare, for the
same ellipsis, [Genesis 3:22](../../../kjv/genesis/3/22); [Exodus 13:17](../../../kjv/exodus/13/17);
[Deuteronomy 8:12](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/8/12). "And in order that
your heart may not faint at the (first) rumor" (of war), I will
give you some intimation of the time. In the first "year"
there shall "come a rumor" that Cyrus is preparing for war
against Babylon. "After that, in another year, shall come a
rumor," namely, that Cyrus is approaching, and has already
entered Assyria. Then is your time to "go out" ([Deuteronomy 8:12](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/8/12)). Babylon was taken the following or third year of
Belshazzar's reign [GROTIUS].
**violence in the land**—of
Babylon ([Psalms 7:16](../../../kjv/psalms/7/16)).
**ruler against ruler**—or,
"ruler upon ruler," a continual change of rulers in a short
space. Belshazzar and Nabonidus, supplanted by Darius or Cyaxares,
who is succeeded by Cyrus.

**47.** GROTIUS
translates, "Because then (namely, on the third year) the time
shall have come that," c.
**confounded**—at seeing
their gods powerless to help them.
**her slain**—in
retribution for "*Israel's* slain" () who fell by her hand. GROTIUS
translates, "her dancers," as in [Judges 21:21](../../../kjv/judges/21/21)
[Judges 21:23](../../../kjv/judges/21/23); [1 Samuel 18:6](../../../kjv/1-samuel/18/6),
the same *Hebrew* word is translated, alluding to the dancing
revelry of the festival during which Cyrus took Babylon.

**48. heaven . . . earth . . . sing
for Babylon**— ([Isaiah 14:7-13](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/7-13);
[Isaiah 44:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/44/23); [Revelation 18:20](../../../kjv/revelation/18/20)).

**49. caused . . . to fall**—literally,
"has been for the falling," that is, as Babylon made this
its one aim to fill all places with the slain of Israel, so at
Babylon shall all the slain *of that whole land* (not as *English
Version,* "of all the *earth*") [MAURER].
HENDERSON translates,
"Babylon also shall fall, ye slain of Israel. Those also of
Babylon shall fall, O ye slain of all the earth." But, "in
the midst of her," [Jeremiah 51:47](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/47),
plainly answers to "at Babylon," [Jeremiah 51:47](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/47), *English Version.*

**50. escaped . . . sword**—namely,
of the Medes. So great will be the slaughter that even some of God's
people shall be involved in it, as they had deserved.
**afar off**—though ye are
banished far off from where ye used formerly to worship God.
**let Jerusalem come into your
mind**—While in exile remember your temple and city, so as to
prefer them to all the rest of the world wherever ye may be ().

**51.** The prophet anticipates the
Jews' reply; I know you will say in despair, "We are
confounded," c. "Wherefore (God saith to you) behold, I
will," &c. ([Jeremiah 51:52](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/52))
[CALVIN]. I prefer taking
[Jeremiah 51:51](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/51) as the *prayer*
which the Jews are directed to offer in exile ([Jeremiah 51:51](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/51)), "let Jerusalem come into your mind" (and say in
prayer to God), "We are confounded." This view is confirmed
by [Psalms 44:15](../../../kjv/psalms/44/15) [Psalms 44:16](../../../kjv/psalms/44/16);
[Psalms 79:4](../../../kjv/psalms/79/4); [Psalms 102:17-20](../../../kjv/psalms/102/17-20);
[Isaiah 62:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/62/6); [Isaiah 62:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/62/7).
**for strangers**—The
"reproach," which especially has stung us, came when they
taunted us with the fact that they had burned the temple, our
peculiar glory, as though our religion was a thing of naught.

**52. Wherefore**—because of these
sighs of the Jews directed to God ().
**I . . . judgment upon . . .
images**—in opposition to the Babylonian taunt that Jehovah's
religion was a thing of naught, since they had burned His temple (): I will show that, though I have thus visited the Jews
neglect of Me, yet those gods of Babylon cannot save themselves, much
less their votaries, who shall "through all her land" lie
and "groan" with wounds.

**53.** We are not to measure God's
power by what seems to our perceptions natural or probable. Compare
[Obadiah 1:4](../../../kjv/obadiah/1/4) as to Edom ([Obadiah 1:4](../../../kjv/obadiah/1/4)).

**55. great voice**—Where once was
the *great din* of a mighty city, there shall be the silence of
death [VATABLUS]. Or, the
"great voice" of the revellers ([Jeremiah 51:38](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/38);
[Jeremiah 51:39](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/39); [Isaiah 22:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/22/2)).
Or, the voice of *mighty boasting* [CALVIN],
(compare [Jeremiah 51:53](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/53)).
**her waves**—"when"
her calamities shall cause her to give forth a widely different
"voice," even such a one as the waves give that lash the
shores ([Jeremiah 51:42](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/42)) [GROTIUS].
Or, "when" is connected thus: "the great voice"
in her, when her "waves," c. (compare [Jeremiah 51:42](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/42)). CALVIN
translates, "*their* waves," that is, the Medes
bursting on her as impetuous waves so [Jeremiah 51:42](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/42). But the parallel, "a great voice," belongs to
*her,* therefore the wave-like "roar" of "their
voice" ought also belong to *her* (compare [Jeremiah 51:42](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/42)). The "great voice" of commercial din, boasting,
and feasting, is "destroyed"; but in its stead there is the
wave-like roar of *her voice* in her "destruction"
([Jeremiah 51:54](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/54)).

**56. taken**—when they were least
expecting it, and in such a way that resistance was impossible.

**57.** ([Jeremiah 51:39](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/39);
[Daniel 5:1](../../../kjv/daniel/5/1), &c.).

**58. broad walls**—eighty-seven
feet broad [ROSENMULLER];
fifty cubits [GROTIUS]. A
chariot of four horses abreast could meet another on it without
collision. The walls were two hundred cubits high, and four hundred
and eighty-five stadia, or sixty miles in extent.
**gates**—one hundred in
number, of brass; twenty-five on each of the four sides, the city
being square; between the gates were two hundred and fifty towers.
BEROSUS says triple walls
encompassed the outer, and the same number the inner city. Cyrus
caused the outer walls to be demolished. Taking the extent of the
walls to be three hundred and sixty-five stadia, as DIODORUS
states, it is said two hundred thousand men completed a stadium each
day, so that the whole was completed in one year.
**labour . . . in the fire**—The
event will show that the builders of the walls have "labored"
only for the "fire" in which they shall be consumed, "In
the fire" answers to the parallel, "burned with fire."
Translate, "*shall have labored* in vain," &c.
Compare [Job 3:14](../../../kjv/job/3/14), "built
desolate places for themselves," that is, grand places, soon
about to be desolate ruins. Jeremiah has in view here [Job 3:14](../../../kjv/job/3/14).

**59-64.** A special copy of the
prophecy prepared by Jeremiah was delivered to Seraiah, to console
the Jews in their Babylonian exile. Though he was to throw it into
the Euphrates, a symbol of Babylon's fate, no doubt he retained the
substance in memory, so as to be able orally to communicate it to his
countrymen.
**went with Zedekiah**—rather,
"in behalf of Zedekiah"; sent by Zedekiah to appease
Nebuchadnezzar's anger at his revolt [CALVIN].
**fourth year**—so that
Jeremiah's prediction of Babylon's downfall was thus solemnly written
and sealed by a symbolical action, six whole years before the capture
of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
**quiet prince**—Compare
[1 Chronicles 22:9](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/22/9), "a man of rest."
Seraiah was not one of the courtiers hostile to God's prophets, but
"quiet" and docile; ready to execute Jeremiah's commission,
notwithstanding the risk attending it. GLASSIUS
translates, "prince of Menuchah" (compare [1 Chronicles 22:9](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/22/9), *Margin*). MAURER
translates, "commander of the caravan," on whom it devolved
to appoint the resting-place for the night. *English Version*
suits the context best.

**61. read**—not in public, for
the Chaldeans would not have understood *Hebrew;* but in
private, as is to be inferred from his addressing himself altogether
to God ([Jeremiah 51:62](../../../kjv/jeremiah/51/62)) [CALVIN].

**62. O Lord, thou**—and not
merely Jeremiah or any man is the author of this prophecy; I
therefore here in Thy presence embrace as true all that I read.

**63. bind a stone,** &c.— (). So the Phoceans in leaving their country, when about to
found Marseilles, threw lead into the sea, binding themselves not to
return till the lead should swim.

**64. they shall be weary**—The
Babylonians shall be worn out, so as not to be able to recover their
strength.
**Thus far . . . Jeremiah**—Hence
it is to be inferred that the last chapter is not included in
Jeremiah's writings but was added by some inspired man, mainly at to explain and confirm what precedes [CALVIN].

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Jeremiah 51"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Jeremiah 51","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"CHAPTER 51   :-. CONTINUATION OF THE\nPROPHECY AGAINST BABYLON\nBEGUN IN THE FIFTIETH\nCHAPTER. 1. in the midst of them that rise .\n. . against me—literally,","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah","name":"Jeremiah"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/jeremiah/51","name":"51"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```