John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 50:44

"Behold, [the enemy] shall come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong habitation: for I will suddenly make them run away from it; and whoso is chosen, him will I appoint over it: for who is like me? and who will appoint me a time? and who is the shepherd that can stand before me?" — Jeremiah 50:44 (ASV)

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan What is said of Nebuchadnezzar coming up against Edom is here said of Cyrus coming up against Babylon; for of a king it is to be understood; as the Targum, "behold, a king with his army shall come up against them, as a lion from the height of Jordan;" see (Jeremiah 49:19); unto the habitation of the strong;

to Babylon; where dwelt the king, his nobles, and his mighty men: but I will make them suddenly run away from her;

as they did from her king Belshazzar, when Gobrias and Gadates entered the royal palace, and seized upon him^F1; and who [is] a chosen [man, that] I may appoint over her?

or, "a young man"^F2? such an one Cyrus was, who, by divine appointment, became master and governor of Babylon: and who will appoint me the time?

to enter the lists with me, and litigate the point with me in a court of judicature, or contend with me in battle: and who [is] that shepherd that will stand before me?

or king? not Belshazzar, he could not stand before the Lord: so the Targum, "there is no king that has strength before me;" that is, to withstand him, or hinder what he has appointed and ordered to be done; (See Gill on Jeremiah 49:19).

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FOOTNOTES:

• F1: lbid.
• F2: (rwxb ym) "quis juvenis?" Cocceius, Schmidt.