John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 49:25

"How is the city of praise not forsaken, the city of my joy?" — Jeremiah 49:25 (ASV)

Some think “my” to be redundant and therefore render it “the city of joy”; but they seem to be induced by no good reason. They think it absurd that it should be called a city of joy to the Prophet, since he should not have regarded Damascus with any love or kindness. But the prophets, we know, do not always speak according to their own feelings but assume the perspective of others. We might then appropriately read the words as they are: the city of my joy!

Besides, Jeremiah very cuttingly exults over Damascus when he expresses his wonder at its destruction in this way: “How can this be,” he says, “that the city of praise, that is, a celebrated city, and the city of my joy, that is, a spectacle so noble as to cause joy to all, — how can it be that this city should not be left, that is, should not be spared?” For by “left” he does not mean forsaken by its inhabitants or reduced to solitude; by “left” he means untouched or safe.

But we must always bear in mind what we have often stated: that the prophets, when they speak in astonishment in this way, do not adopt an elevated style as rhetoricians do to show their eloquence, but always focus on what is profitable. It was necessary powerfully to impress people’s minds when the Prophet spoke of the ruin of so great a city.

This astonishment, then, includes what is called an anticipation, for it obviated a doubt that might have prevented this prophecy from being believed. This thought might have immediately occurred to everyone: “How can it be that Damascus is to perish?” The Prophet, therefore, anticipates this and shows that, though this was contrary to common judgment, yet, since the Lord had decreed it so, the destruction of that city was certain. Thus, we now perceive the Prophet’s design.