John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 50:42

"They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon." — Jeremiah 50:42 (ASV)

Jeremiah again speaks especially of armor, to indicate that the Babylonians would not be able to withstand the assault of their enemies. He then says that they would be armed with the bow and the shield; and adds, that they would be cruel.

It is certain that the Persians were very bloody, for it was a barbarous nation, and where barbarity rules, there is no feeling of mercy. Cyrus indeed wished to appear a magnanimous prince and not a savage; but it is sufficiently evident that he was very cruel, even though Xenophon in his Life speaks of him otherwise. However, Xenophon is not a true historian, for he tells many false things in favor of Cyrus.

But when anyone reads all that has been recorded, he will readily find out that Cyrus was a barbarian, who delighted in slaughter and carnage.

Regarding the Medes, they were given to luxuries and were not a warlike nation. Darius, however, brought with him many princes, those whom he had overcome in uncultivated countries, and who also possessed some valor. Thus, although the king of the Medes was effeminate, as were his people, he nevertheless had many warlike men with him. And the same thing is also expressed by Isaiah; and you should compare this prophecy with that of Isaiah (Isaiah 13:17), for the two Prophets wholly agree, even though Isaiah was dead when Jeremiah delivered this prophecy and wrote it.

He says that their voice would be tumultuous as the sea, or would sound or roar like the sea when moved by some violent storm. And all these things were said so that the Babylonians might know that all their defenses would be of no avail when God would arm the Persians and the Medes for their destruction.

For if that war had been carried on only by men, the Chaldeans would never have thought that their enemies would be victorious; and doubtless they would never have been so, if the Lord had not roused them and determined through them to execute vengeance on the Chaldeans.

He says that they would be prepared as a man for war. It seems to me that interpreters do not understand the Prophet's meaning; for though Jeremiah uses the word “prepared” in the singular number, he speaks of the whole people.

But how does he say they would be prepared? Even like a man. Here he describes the union of the whole army, for they would all come to battle like one man attacking his own enemy.

It is indeed difficult for the minds of all to be so directed in battle that they should unitedly attack an enemy and fight, as it were, with one hand, without looking at one another, and yet make a united assault. This, then, is what the Prophet means when he says that they would be prepared against the Chaldeans as one man.

He then adds, against thee, daughter of Babylon. He indicates that they would be not only sufficiently strong against ordinary enemies, but also against the city itself. For if this had not been added, Babylon would have always been considered an exception, as it was deemed impregnable on account of the multitude of men, the height and breadth of its walls, its towers, and all other defenses.

Therefore, God shows that though Babylon proudly exulted in its forces and thought itself exempt from every danger, yet the Persians and the Medes would possess sufficient power with which they would easily overcome it. What follows I cannot finish today; it is therefore better to stop here.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that since you teach us by the example of the ungodly to fear your name, we may learn to submit our necks to your word, and willingly, and as is fitting for us, submissively to receive your yoke, so that while we strive to glorify your name, being safe under your protection, we may disregard all the attacks of our enemies, and all the assaults and onsets of Satan, who is the captain of all our enemies, until we finally enjoy our victory in the celestial kingdom, through Christ our Lord. — Amen.