John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 51:3

"Against [him that] bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against [him that] lifteth himself up in his coat of mail: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host." — Jeremiah 51:3 (ASV)

Interpreters offer various explanations of this verse. Some understand him who bends the bow to mean a light-armored soldier; and by him who elevates himself in his coat of mail, they understand a heavy-armed soldier.

There is also another point of difference: some take אל (al) for לא (la) when it is said ואל יתעל (veal itol), because a copulative follows. The words do not seem to be well connected if we read them this way: “As to him who raises himself up in his coat of mail, and spare you not,” etc. For this reason, they take the particle אל (al) negatively, instead of לא (la), to mean, “and he may not raise himself up in his coat of mail.”

However, it is probable that the copulative in the second instance is redundant. The simple meaning would therefore be: As to him who bends the bow, and who raises himself up in his coat of mail.

Indeed, I do not offer such a refined interpretation as some do regarding the light-armored and heavy-armed soldiers. I have no doubt, then, that he points out the archers and those clad in mail. If, however, anyone prefers the other explanation, let him enjoy his own opinion. As for the main point, it is evident that the Prophet exhorts the Persians and the Medes not to spare the young men among the Chaldeans, but to destroy their entire army, so that no part of it should be left.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that since you were formerly so concerned for the salvation of your people as to undertake war for their sake against a most powerful nation—O grant that we also, today, may know that we will be safe and secure under the protection of your hand. May we so experience your power that we may have a just reason for glorying in you, and that our enemies may be confounded, so that your glory may shine forth more and more, and that the kingdom of your only-begotten Son may also be promoted in this way.—Amen.