John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 50:36

"A sword is upon the boasters, and they shall become fools; a sword is upon her mighty men, and they shall be dismayed." — Jeremiah 50:36 (ASV)

A sword [is] upon the liars^F13. Some render it "bars", as the word sometimes signifies; and interpret it of great men, who are the strength and security of cities and commonwealths; but these are mentioned both before and after. The Targum renders it "diviners"; and so Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it^F14; of which there were many among the Chaldeans, who were a lying set of men, who imposed upon and deceived the people; these with their divinations and soothsayings could not save the land, nor themselves, from the devouring sword; nay, their sorceries and divinations were the cause of the ruin of it; see (Isaiah 47:9Isaiah 47:12Isaiah 47:13) (Revelation 18:23).

and they shall dote; or, that they may "become foolish"^F15; be infatuated, and act a mad part, and be at their wits' end; not knowing what course to take for their own safety, and much less be able to give direction and advice to others.

a sword [is] upon her mighty men, and they shall be dismayed; the soldiers and their officers, the most valiant and courageous of them; these would be in the utmost fright and consternation at the approach of the enemy; especially when they perceived the city taken, and the carnage made of the king and his nobles.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F13: (Mydbh) "vectes"; so some in Gataker.
• F14: "Divinos", V. L. Vatablus, Tigurine version, Calvin, Pagninus; so R. Sol. Urbin. Ohel Moed, fol. 84.
• F15: (wlanw) "stultescant", Schmidt; "ut stulte agant", Piscator; "et insanient", Pagninus, Montanus.