John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 51:8

"Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed." — Jeremiah 51:8 (ASV)

Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed
Or "broken" ^F7 ; even into shivers, as a cup is; for when it had been used to answer the purposes designed by the Lord, he let it fall out of his hands at once, and it was broken; or rather he dashed it in pieces, as a potter's vessel. The destruction of Babylon was brought about in a very short time, considering the strength of it; and was unexpected by the inhabitants of it, and by the nations round about; but, when it was come, it was irreparable: so the destruction of mystical Babylon will be in one hour, and it will be an utter and entire destruction, (Revelation 18:8) ; howl for her ;
as the inhabitants of Babylon, and her friends and allies that loved her, did no doubt; and as the kings and merchants of the earth, and others, will howl for spiritual Babylon, (Revelation 18:9–19) ; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed :
or balsam; see (Jeremiah 46:11) ; which is said by way of derision and mockery, as Kimchi and Abarbinel observe; or in an ironical and sarcastic manner; suggesting, that, let what means soever be made use of, her wound was incurable, her ruin inevitable, and her case irrecoverable.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F7: (rbvt) "confracta est", Schmidt; "fracta est", Cocceius; "contrita est", Piscator.