John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 51:47

"Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will execute judgment upon the graven images of Babylon; and her whole land shall be confounded; and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her." — Jeremiah 51:47 (ASV)

He repeats a former sentence, that God would visit the idols of Babylon. He does not speak now of Bel only, but includes all the false gods. We have already said why God raised his hand against idols, which were still mere inventions of no significance.

This he did for the sake of people, so that the Israelites might know that they had been deceived by the wiles of Satan, and that the faithful might understand that they should not attribute it to false gods when God for a time spared the ungodly. However unrestrained, then, they might be in their prosperity, yet when they perished together with their idols, the faithful would then learn by experience that idols secured no victory for their worshippers.

When, therefore, the Prophet now says, Behold, the days are coming, and I will visit, etc., he no doubt intended to support the minds of the godly, who otherwise would have been dejected. And it was the best support, patiently to wait for the time of visitation, of which he now speaks.

I will visit, he says, all the images of Babylon; and then he adds, her whole land shall be ashamed. He speaks of the land because the dominion of that monarchy extended far, so that it was difficult to travel through all its regions, and enemies could hardly have access to them.

Finally, he adds, all her slain shall fall in the midst of her. He then speaks first of the country, and then he adds that however fortified the city might be, yet its walls and towers would be of no consequence, for conquerors would march through her very streets and everywhere kill those who thought themselves hidden in a safe place and positioned, as it were, above the clouds. He then adds, —