John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 50:3

"For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they are fled, they are gone, both man and beast." — Jeremiah 50:3 (ASV)

Let what I have said before be kept in mind: the Prophet uses many words in describing the ruin of Babylon. For it was not enough to predict what was to happen; but as weak minds wavered, it was necessary to add a confirmation. Then, after speaking of the power of Babylon and its idols, he now points out the way in which it was to be destroyed—a nation would come from the north, that is, with reference to Chaldea.

He means the Medes and Persians, as interpreters commonly think, and this is probable because he afterwards adds that the Jews would then return. Since Jeremiah connects these two things together—the destruction of Babylon and the restoration of God’s Church—it is probable that he refers here to the Medes and Persians. If, at the same time, we view things more closely, there is no doubt that this prophecy extends further, and this will become more evident as we proceed.

He simply says now that a nation would come from the north, which would turn the land to a waste. This clause shows that this prophecy could not be properly confined to the time when Babylon was taken by Cyrus, for we know that it was betrayed by two Satraps during a siege, and that it was at a time when a feast was held, as though there were peace and security, as Daniel testifies, with whom pagan writers agree.

Now Xenophon testifies that Cyrus exercised great forbearance and humanity, and that he used his victory with such moderation, that Babylon seemed as though it had not been taken. It had, indeed, changed masters, but such was the change that the citizens readily submitted to it. But it was afterwards treated more harshly, when Darius recovered it with the aid of Zopyrus; for Babylon had revolted from the Persians and shaken off the yoke.

After storming it in vain, Darius finally recovered it with the help of one man. For Zopyrus, having cut off his nose and mutilated his ears and his face, pretended, in this deformed manner, to be a fugitive and complained of the cruelty and barbarity of his king, with whom he was nonetheless most intimate. The city was soon afterwards taken by treachery in the night. Then about four thousand of the Persians were hung in the middle of the Forum, nor did Darius spare the people.

The Prophet then seems to include this second destruction when he predicted that the whole land would be made desolate. Nor should this be considered unreasonable, for the Prophets spoke of God’s judgments in such a way that they extended what they said beyond the beginning, as was the case in the present instance.

Therefore, when Babylon was taken by the Persians, it received the yoke; and she, which had ruled over all other nations, was reduced to a state of servitude. For the Persians, as it is well known, were very inhuman, and Isaiah describes them at length. In the meantime, the city, as I have said, retained its external appearance. The citizens were robbed of their gold and silver, and of their precious things, and had to serve strangers: this was bitter to them.

But when Darius punished their perfidy and hung so many of the chief men (about four thousand), and also indiscriminately shed the blood of the people, and subjected the city itself to the plunder of his soldiers, then doubtless what the Prophet says here was more fully accomplished. Yet it was God’s purpose to give only a prelude of His vengeance when He made the Babylonians subject to the Medes and Persians.