Geremia 51:64

And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah. Thus shall Babylon sink, etc. - This is the emblem of its overthrow and irretrievable ruin. See Apocalisse 18:21, where we find that this is an emblem of the total ruin of mystical Babylon.

Herodotus relates a similar action of the Phocaeans, who, having resolved to leave their country, and never return to it again, μυδρον σιδηρεον κατεπονωσαν, και ωμοσαν μη πριν ες Φωκαιην ἡξειν, πριν η τον μυδρον τουτον αναφηναι· "threw a mass of iron into the sea, and swore that they would never return to Phocaea till that iron mass should rise and swim on the top.

" The story is this: The Phocaeans, being besieged by Harpagus, general of the Persians, demanded one day's truce to deliberate on the propositions he had made to them relative to their surrendering their city; and begged that in the mean while he would take off his army from the walls. Harpagus having consented, they carried their wives, children, and their most valuable effects, aboard their ships; then, throwing a mass of iron into the sea, bound themselves by an oath never to return till that iron should rise to the top and swim. See Herodotus, lib. 1 c.

Horace refers to this in his epode Ad Populum Romanum, Epode 16 ver. 25: -

Sed juremus in haec: simul imis saxa renarint

Vadis levata, ne redire sit nefas.

"As the Phocaeans oft for freedom bled,

At length with imprecated curses fled."

Francis.

Thus far are the words of Jeremiah - It appears that the following chapter is not the work of this prophet: it is not his style. The author of it writes Jehoiachin; Jeremiah writes him always Jeconiah, or Coniah. It is merely historical, and is very similar to 2 Re 24:18. The author, whoever he was, relates the capture of Jerusalem, the fate of Zedekiah, the pillage and burning of the city and the temple.

Menziona anche alcune persone di distinzione che furono uccise dai Caldei. Menziona il numero dei prigionieri che furono portati a Babilonia in tre momenti diversi; e si conclude con la liberazione del re Ioiachin dalla prigione di Babilonia, dove era stato per trentasette anni. È molto probabile che l'intero capitolo sia stato compilato da qualche cronaca dell'epoca, o sia stato concepito come prefazione al Libro delle Lamentazioni; e starebbe con grande proprietà davanti ad esso, poiché contiene i fatti su cui è costruito quell'inimitabile poema. Se fosse consentito, lo rimuoverei in quel posto.

Commento alla Bibbia, di Adam Clarke [1831].