Jer 50:16, 28, 37, 51:9 | JFB | STEP | 16. Babylon had the extent rather of a nation than of a city. Therefore grain was grown within the city wall sufficient to last for a long siege [Aristotle, Politics, 3.2; Pliny, 18.17]. Conquerors usually spare agriculturists, but in this case all alike were to be "cut off." for fear of ... oppressing sword-- because of the sword of the oppressor. every one to his people-- from which they had been removed to Babylon from all quarters by the Chaldean conquerors ( ; ).

‏ Jeremiah 50:16

16. Babylon had the extent rather of a nation than of a city. Therefore grain was grown within the city wall sufficient to last for a long siege [Aristotle, Politics, 3.2; Pliny, 18.17]. Conquerors usually spare agriculturists, but in this case all alike were to be "cut off."

for fear of ... oppressing sword--because of the sword of the oppressor.

every one to his people--from which they had been removed to Babylon from all quarters by the Chaldean conquerors (Jr 51:9; Is 13:14).

‏ Jeremiah 50:28

28. declare in Zion ... temple--Some Jews "fleeing" from Babylon at its fall shall tell in Judea how God avenged the cause of Zion and her temple that had been profaned (Jr 52:13; Da 1:2; 5:2).

‏ Jeremiah 50:37

35-37. The repetition of "A sword" in the beginning of each verse, by the figure anaphora, heightens the effect; the reiterated judgment is universal; the same sad stroke of the sword is upon each and all connected with guilty Babylon.

wise men--(Is 47:13). Babylon boasted that it was the peculiar seat of wisdom and wise men, especially in astronomy and astrology.

‏ Jeremiah 51:9

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. (Is 21:9; Re 14:8; 18:2, 9).

balm--(Jr 8:22; 46:11).