THE FALL OF BABYLON AND THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL The prophecy concerning Babylon is ascribed to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 51:59. This, however, need not mean more than that it represents the tone of Jeremiah's utterances as expanded by a follower, e.g. Baruch, at a later date. The reasons for doubting J... [ Continue Reading ]
A STANDARD] as the speediest way of calling attention to the news. MERODACH] another name for Bel (Baal), the tutelary God of Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE NORTH] referring to the Medo-Persian power. Media was NW. of Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
The overthrow of their captors shall free the Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
THITHERWARD] RM 'Heb. hitherward.' 8-16. The triumph of Babylon over Israel shall be avenged.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE HE GOATS] in joyful alacrity.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ASSEMBLY OF GREAT NATIONS] see for some of them Jeremiah 51:27. Herodotus (vii. 61f.) says there were twenty-two.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is for exulting over Israel that Chaldea suffers. AT GRASS] RV 'that treadeth out _the corn.'_ The command in Deuteronomy 25:4 would have this effect.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HINDERMOST, etc.] RV 'She (Babylon) shall be the hindermost,' etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVEN HER HAND] RV 'submitted herself,' surrendered. FOUNDALIONS] RV 'bulwarks.' Her walls are thrown down] not done by Cyrus, but (according to Herod, iii. 159) at the later capture by Darius.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL TURN, etc.] The captives of other nations as well as of the Jews shall be released. 17-32. Babylon and her empire are doomed, while Israel shall be forgiven.... [ Continue Reading ]
The lions] The sculptured winged lions (Assyrian and Babylonian) give the image a special point. Assyria had devoured the Ten Tribes, and now Babylon was crushing the feeble remnant of the people. Assyria had paid the penalty; so too shall Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
RESERVE] RV 'leave as a remnant.'... [ Continue Reading ]
MERATHAIM.. PEKOD] Proper names bearing the significant senses of 'double-rebellion' and 'visitation,' alluding to Babylon.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAMMER] Babylon: cp. Jeremiah 51:20. Individuals at other times have borne this title; Judas Maccabæus for his victories over Syria; Charles Martel, grandfather of Charles the Great (Charlemagne), who conquered the Saracens in a decisive battle at Tours, 732a.d., and Edward I of England, on whose to... [ Continue Reading ]
BULLOCKS] i.e. her choice young warriors: cp. Jeremiah 48:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VENGEANCE OF HIS TEMPLE] the requital for having burnt it: cp. Jeremiah 51:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL] cp. Jeremiah 51:5, not elsewhere in this book, but characteristic of Isaiah. 33-40. Babylon shall be utterly laid waste.... [ Continue Reading ]
REDEEMER] Heb. _Goel,_ the near kinsman, to whom belonged the duty of avenging a murder. So the Lord is about to avenge His people.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIARS] rather, 'boasters.'... [ Continue Reading ]
MINGLED PEOPLE] see on Jeremiah 25:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
HER WATERS] the many canals which drained and irrigated the country around Babylon: cp. Jeremiah 51:13. Idols] Heb. 'terrors,' meaning their grotesque forms, such as winged bulls and humanheaded lions.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WILD BEASTS OF THE ISLANDS] RV 'the wolves,' Heb. 'howling creatures.' Owls] RY 'ostriches.' 41-46. The enemy approaches and fulfils God's behests. 41-43. See on Jeremiah 6:22. 44-46. Adapted from Jeremiah 49:19.... [ Continue Reading ]