Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense.
6. Flee ] addressed to the Jewish residents in Babylon. Cp. Jer 51:45 (“My people”), Jer 50:6; Isa 48:20; Isa 52:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Jer 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon.
Fleeing from the city of destruction
And now the trembling pilgrim, with fixed resolution, having a glimpse of the light and a definite direction, begins to run; it is unutterable relief to his perplexities to run towards Christ, though as yet he sees Him not. But now the world clamours after him, yea, the dearest ones in it try to stop him, but the fire in his conscience is stronger than they; he stops his ears and runs without looking behind, and stays not in all the plain, but runs as swiftly as his burden will let him, crying, Life, life, eternal life! (Lectures on Pilgrims Progress, G. H. Cheever.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
It is a matter of no great moment whether we understand these words as spoken to the Jews in the captivity of Babylon, as Jer 1:8, or to those whom the Chaldeans had hired to help them, or to such strangers as for their secular advantages lived in Babylon. By soul here seemeth to be meant life, and by iniquity the punishment of the Babylonians iniquity (as the Hebrew word oft signifies); though in the New Testament these words be used as a monition to people to separate from the idolatries of mystical Babylon, yet they seem here to be only a warning to others to remove out of the reach of Babylons fall.
For this is the time of the Lords vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence; for the time is come when God hath determined to take vengeance on Babylon, and to recompense to her all her sin, and that cruelty which she showed to the Jews in particular.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. Warning to the Israelitecaptives to flee from Babylon, lest they should be involved in thepunishment of her “iniquity.” So as to spiritual Babylonand her captives (Re 18:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Flee out of the midst of Babylon,…. This is said either to such as were there of other nations upon trade and business, as Kimchi, to get out of it as fast as they could, that they might not be consumed; or to the Israelites, as Jarchi, the Jews that were captives there. This is applied to the people of God in mystical Babylon,
Re 18:4;
and deliver every man his soul; or “life”; from the destruction coming on the city, and the inhabitants of it;
be not cut off in her iniquity; or, “that he be not cut off” f; with her, in the punishment inflicted upon her for her iniquities; which is the same as partaking of her plagues, Re 18:4;
for this [is] the time, of the Lord’s vengeance; the time fixed by him to take vengeance on Babylon for her sins against him, and the wrongs done to his people:
he will render unto her a recompence; the just demerit of their sins; a recompence or reward by way of punishment for them; see Re 18:6.
f “ne exscindamini”, Junius Tremellius, Schmidt “ne committitote ut exscindamini”, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He goes on with the same subject, but illustrates it by various figures; for otherwise he would not have penetrated into the hearts of the godly. Were any at this day to predict the destruction of Rome, it could hardly be believed; and yet we know that it has in our life been stormed, and now it hangs as it were by a thread, though hitherto it has been supported and fortified by the greatest forces. But the dignity of the city so confounded the minds of men, that it was hardly credible that it could have been so soon subverted. How, then, was it possible for such a thing to have happened at that time? for Babylon was the mistress of the East. The Assyrians had previously possessed the empire; but they had been subdued, and had, as it were, been brought under the yoke. As, then, Babylon now flourished in power so great and invincible, Jeremiah seemed to be labeling when he spoke of its approaching destruction. It was hence necessary that what he said should be confirmed, as it is now done. And so he now turns to foreigners and guests, and exhorts them to flee lest they should perish in the accursed city.
Flee, he says, from the midst of Babylon But there was then no safer place in the land; for had all the regions of the world been shaken, yet Babylon would have been deemed beyond any danger. But he says that all guests were to flee from the midst of it, if they wished to save their lives. Then he adds, lest ye perish in her iniquity He assigns a reason why those who then dwelt in Babylon could not be safe except they fled, even because God was about to punish the city for its iniquities. He then sets the iniquity of Babylon in opposition to the multitude of its men, as well as to its wealth and defenses, and other means of strength. Babylon was populous; it might also be aided by many auxiliaries; and there were ready at hand those who might hire their services. As, then, there was nothing wanting to that city, the Prophet here shows that wealth and abundance of people, and all other helps would be of no moment, because it was God’s will to punish her iniquity. This is the reason why Jeremiah now says, lest ye perish in her iniquity; that is, “do not mingle with those ungodly men whom God has given up to destruction.”
And for the same purpose he adds, For it is the time of the vengeance of Jehovah Here, again, he obviates an objection; for as God had suspended his judgment, no one thought it possible that a fire could so soon, and, as it were, in a moment be kindled to destroy Babylon. Then the Prophet says, that it was the time; by which he intimates, that though God does not immediately execute his judgments, yet he does not he down as it were idly, so as to forget what he has to do, but that he has his own times. And this doctrine deserves to be noticed, because through our intemperate zeal we make much ado, except God brings us help as soon as we are injured; but if he delays even a short time, we complain and think that he has forgotten our welfare. And even saints, in depositing familiarly their cares and anxieties in his bosom, speak thus,
“
Arise, O Lord, why sleepest thou” (Psa 44:23)
As, then, we are by nature inclined to impatience, we ought to observe what Scripture so often inculcates, even this — that God has his certain and fixed times for punishing the wicked. Hence Jeremiah now teaches us, that the time of God’s vengeance was come.
He then adds, A reward will he render to her; as though he had said, that though Babylon would not have to suffer punishment immediately, yet she would not escape from God’s hand, for the reward which God would render her was already prepared. And this doctrine arises from a general principle, that God will ever render to every one his just reward. We now, then, perceive the design of the Prophet.
We have said that the words were addressed to the strangers and the guests who were in Chaldea, or in the city Babylon. They then pervert this passage, who think that the faithful are here exhorted immediately to depart from Babylon, That is, to withdraw themselves from superstitions and the defilements of the world; for the Prophet means no such thing. A passage might, however, be made from one truth to another. It now follows, —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
C. An Exhortation to Israel Jer. 51:6-10
TRANSLATION
(6) Flee from the midst of Babylon! Let everyone save his life! Perish not because of her guilt! For it is the time of the vengeance of the LORD; He will render to her a recompense. (7) Babylon was a golden cup in the hand of the LORD, making all the earth drunken. The nations drank from its wine; therefore, nations went mad. (8) Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken. Wail concerning her! Take balm for her pain; perhaps she may be cured. (9) We would have healed Babylon, but she would not be healed. Forsake her and let us go each to his own land. For her judgment reaches unto heaven, and is lifted up even unto the skies. (10) The LORD has brought forth our vindication. Come! Let us recount in Zion the work of the LORD our God.
COMMENTS
The description of the destruction of Babylon is briefly interrupted by words of exhortation directed to Israel. As God begins the judgment of Babylon the chosen remnant is exhorted to flee out of the midst of the city. The idea is that the people of God must not allow themselves to become embroiled in the defense of Babylon and possibly loose their lives in that futile effort. Babylons destruction is an act of divine vengeance; the city is doomed to destruction (Jer. 51:6). Beautiful Babylon with her achievements, wealth and power, was like a golden vessel in the hand of the Lord. Many nations drank the wine of Gods wrath from that golden vessel and became as helpless and pitiable as an intoxicated man (Jer. 51:7). But now Babylon has served her purpose in the plan of the Almighty; she has acted out her role upon the stage of human history. The Lord will now smash Babylon as a man smashes a vessel which is no longer useful and no longer pleases him (Jer. 51:7).
Turning to sympathetic bystanders the prophet calls for lamentation over the fall of Babylon. Those addressed are foreigners who, whether by choice or force, have been resident in Babylon, and who therefore have an interest in the fate of that city. These are now summoned to heal Babylon, because they are now servants of the Great King and are thus obligated to render assistance to him (Jer. 51:8). Those who are addressed do not refuse to render the service, but their efforts are in vain. These captives nations affirm that they have honestly done what they could to prevent the destruction of Babylon and restore her to her former glory. But since their attempts have proved vain these captives think now only of their own safety: Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life. Perhaps there is an allusion to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah in the phrase her judgment (or punishment) reaches unto the heavens (Jer. 51:9). The Jewish captives in Babylon rush home to Zion to declare there what God has done to Babylon. The Lord has brought forth our righteousness, they sing. The avenging hand of God had vindicated His people. The idolatry of Israel has been sufficiently punished and Gods people are again to be accounted as righteous (Jer. 51:10).
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(6) Flee out of the midst of Babylon.The words reproduce the call of Jer. 50:8 with a fresh motive. The city was doomed. It was ill done for those who had not been guilty of her sins to involve themselves in her destruction. The call is reproduced, as referring to the mystical Babylon, in Rev. 18:4.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Again I beg the Reader to remark, how the Lord points to his discriminating grace. The portion of Jacob is not like others. This people, saith Jehovah, I have formed for myself, they shall show forth my praise, Isa 43:21 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD’S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
Ver. 6. Flee out of the midst of Babylon. ] See Jer 18:1-23 . So, in the Hew Testament, we are called upon to flee and avoid the corruptions of the world and of Antichrist. 1Jn 2:7-8 Eph 5:6 Rev 14:3-5 ; Rev 18:4
For this is a time, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
every man. Hebrew. ‘ish. App-14.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
iniquity. Hebrew. ‘avah. App-44. Put by Fig, Metonymy (of Cause), for the judgment brought down by it. Compare Rev 18:4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jer 51:6-10
Jer 51:6-10
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life; be not cut off in her iniquity: for it is the time of Jehovah’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense. Babylon hath been a golden cup in Jehovah’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed. We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country; for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies. Jehovah hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of Jehovah our God.
The analogy between the literal Babylon here and the spiritual Babylon of Revelation is amazing. Note the following: (1) Both shall be utterly destroyed (2) God’s people are commanded to “come out of her.” (3) She has a golden cup in her hand. (4) The nations have become drunk with her wine. (5) Her judgment reaches all the way to heaven. (6) Her doom is like a stone cast into the river (see last paragraph of this chapter). (7) She is responsible for all the slain in the land (Jer 51:49). See Vol. 12 (Revelation) in the New Testament commentaries (Rev. 17–18).
Babylon is suddenly fallen…
(Jer 51:8), It happened in a single night, the tragic night dramatically described in the fifth chapter of Daniel.
She is not healed…
(Jer 51:9). Israel’s wounds could be healed by balm from Gilead, but Babylon’s fate was absolute.
Babylon hath been a golden cup…
(Jer 51:7). Not only that; she was called God’s hammer in Jer 50:23. As God’s hammer, she was strong; as his cup of gold, she was rich and beautiful; but nothing could save her from the wrath of God as recompense for her sin.
An Exhortation to Israel Jer 51:6-10
The description of the destruction of Babylon is briefly interrupted by words of exhortation directed to Israel. As God begins the judgment of Babylon the chosen remnant is exhorted to flee out of the midst of the city. The idea is that the people of God must not allow themselves to become embroiled in the defense of Babylon and possibly loose their lives in that futile effort. Babylons destruction is an act of divine vengeance; the city is doomed to destruction (Jer 51:6). Beautiful Babylon with her achievements, wealth and power, was like a golden vessel in the hand of the Lord. Many nations drank the wine of Gods wrath from that golden vessel and became as helpless and pitiable as an intoxicated man (Jer 51:7). But now Babylon has served her purpose in the plan of the Almighty; she has acted out her role upon the stage of human history. The Lord will now smash Babylon as a man smashes a vessel which is no longer useful and no longer pleases him (Jer 51:7).
Turning to sympathetic bystanders the prophet calls for lamentation over the fall of Babylon. Those addressed are foreigners who, whether by choice or force, have been resident in Babylon, and who therefore have an interest in the fate of that city. These are now summoned to heal Babylon, because they are now servants of the Great King and are thus obligated to render assistance to him (Jer 51:8). Those who are addressed do not refuse to render the service, but their efforts are in vain. These captives nations affirm that they have honestly done what they could to prevent the destruction of Babylon and restore her to her former glory. But since their attempts have proved vain these captives think now only of their own safety: Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life. Perhaps there is an allusion to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah in the phrase her judgment (or punishment) reaches unto the heavens (Jer 51:9). The Jewish captives in Babylon rush home to Zion to declare there what God has done to Babylon. The Lord has brought forth our righteousness, they sing. The avenging hand of God had vindicated His people. The idolatry of Israel has been sufficiently punished and Gods people are again to be accounted as righteous (Jer 51:10).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Flee: Jer 51:9, Jer 51:45, Jer 51:50, Jer 50:8, Jer 50:28, Isa 48:20, Zec 2:6, Zec 2:7, Rev 18:4
be not: Gen 19:15-17, Num 16:26, Pro 13:20, 1Ti 5:22
for this: Jer 51:11, Jer 27:7, Jer 46:10, Jer 50:8, Jer 50:15, Jer 50:28, Jer 50:31, Deu 32:25, Deu 32:41, Deu 32:43, Rev 16:19, Rev 18:5, Rev 18:6
he will render: Jer 25:14, Jer 25:16
Reciprocal: Gen 19:14 – Up Isa 13:4 – the Lord Isa 45:20 – escaped Isa 47:15 – they shall Isa 52:2 – Shake Isa 52:11 – depart ye Isa 63:4 – General Jer 31:21 – turn Jer 48:6 – Flee Jer 51:56 – the Lord Dan 4:14 – let Joe 3:4 – swiftly Mat 3:7 – who Luk 21:22 – the days 2Co 6:17 – come Rev 18:8 – shall her
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 51:6. Gods people were to flee out of the land of Babylon and this verse Is a prediction of the return to their own land. The Biblical account of the fulfillment of the prediction is in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The historical account of it was Quoted at iBaiah 14: 1 in volume 3 of this COMMENTABV.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 51:6-7. Flee out of the midst of Babylon, &c. Gods people are here exhorted to flee out of Babylon with all haste, as Lot did out of Sodom, lest they should be consumed in the iniquity of that place: see Jer 50:8. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lords hand In what sense Babylon is called a cup may be seen by comparing Jer 25:15. Her greatness and glory enticed and drew in many nations to be confederate with her, in hopes of enriching or aggrandizing themselves; but thereby they drew down destruction upon themselves. They thought to drink, or be in alliance with the Babylonians, was drinking out of a golden cup, but it proved to them a deadly draught. For she was a splendid instrument of vengeance, ordained by God against them; and as they all had suffered by her, so they are all here represented as glorying over her, and rejoicing when her turn of suffering came. By making all the earth drunken, is meant either making all the neighbouring nations act foolishly, and contrary to true wisdom and prudence, or the causing them, as it were, to stagger and fall through the terror and astonishment, the confusion and dismay, which Gods judgments should produce among them: see note on Jer 25:15. We may observe further here, that this golden cup is said to be in the Lords hand, to signify that these things had been brought about by the divine providence, and that God had used Babylon as an instrument to bring the nations to that condign punishment which they had deserved.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
51:6 {c} Flee from the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD’S vengeance; he will render to her a recompence.
(c) He shows that there remains nothing for them that abide in Babylon but destruction, Jer 17:6; Jer 48:6 .
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The Israelites should flee out of Babylon when the destruction came, because the Lord would pay Chaldea back for her sins. If they did not flee, they could get caught up in the fallout of divine judgment (cf. Gen 19:26).