John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 51:14

"Jehovah of hosts hath sworn by himself, [saying], Surely I will fill thee with men, as with the canker-worm; and they shall lift up a shout against thee." — Jeremiah 51:14 (ASV)

The Prophet more fully confirms what he had said by introducing God as making an oath; and it is the most solemn manner of confirmation when God swears by His own name. But he speaks of God in the language of men when he says that He swears by His own soul; for it is a kind of protestation when men swear by their own souls, as though they laid down or pledged their own life.

Whoever then swears by his own soul means that, as his own life is dear to him, he thus lays it down as a pledge, so that if he were to deceive by perjury, God would be an avenger and take it away. This is suitable to men, not to God. But what does not properly belong to God is transferred to Him; nor is this uncommon, as we have seen in other places.

And the more familiar the manner of speaking adopted by God is, the more it ought to touch men when He makes Himself like them and, in a manner, assumes their person, as though He lived in their midst.

But we must still remember why the Prophet introduces God as making an oath: namely, that all doubtfulness might be removed and that more credit might be given to his prophecy. For it not only proceeded from God but was also sealed by an oath. If I shall not fill Babylon, He says, with men as with locusts.

The multitude of enemies is here opposed to the multitude of the citizens, which was very large. For we have said elsewhere that Babylon surpassed all other cities, nor was it less populous than if it were an entire extensive country.

Since it was full of so many defenders, it might have been objected and said, “From where can come such a number of enemies as can be sufficient to put the inhabitants to flight? For if a large army were to enter, it would still be in great danger when contending with so vast a multitude.”

But the Prophet here compares the Persians and the Medes to locusts; and we know that Cyrus collected a very large army from various nations—indeed, many armies.

Then what had been predicted by the Prophet was fulfilled, for Cyrus made up his forces not only from one people, but he brought with him almost all the Medes and also led many troops from other barbarous nations. Thus it happened that what had been said by Jeremiah was proved by the event.

He also adds that they would be victorious; for by the vintage song, or shout, he undoubtedly means a song or shout of triumph. But this song, הידד (eidad,) was then in use among the Jews. Then, just as they sang after the vintage in token of joy, so also conquerors, exulting after victory over their enemies, had a triumphant song.

And the Greek translators have rendered it κέλευσμα, or κελευμα, which is properly the song of sailors.

When they see the harbor, they exult with joy and sing because they have been delivered from the dangers of the sea and have also completed their sailing (which is always perilous), and have come to the harbor where they more fully enjoy life, where they have pleasant air, wholesome water, and other advantages.

But the simple meaning of the Prophet is that when the Persians and the Medes entered Babylon, they would immediately become victorious, so that they would exult without a contest and without any toil, and sing a song of triumph. The Prophet now confirms his prophecy in another way: namely, by extolling the power of God—