Jeremiah 20:8

20:8 For whenever I prophesy, 1  I must cry out, 2 

“Violence and destruction are coming!” 3 

This message from the Lord 4  has made me

an object of continual insults and derision.

Jeremiah 51:49

51:49 “Babylon must fall 5 

because of the Israelites she has killed, 6 

just as the earth’s mortally wounded fell

because of Babylon. 7 

1 tn Heb “speak,” but the speaking is in the context of speaking as a prophet.

2 tn Heb “I cry out, I proclaim.”

3 tn Heb “Violence and destruction.”

sn The words “Violence and destruction…” are a synopsis of his messages of judgment. Jeremiah is lamenting that his ministry up to this point has been one of judgment and has brought him nothing but ridicule because the Lord has not carried out his threats. He appears in the eyes of the people to be a false prophet.

4 tn Heb “the word of the Lord.” For the use of כִּי…כִּי (ki…ki) here in the sense of “for…and” see KBL 432 s.v. כּי 10.

5 tn The infinitive construct is used here to indicate what is about to take place. See IBHS 610 §36.2.3g.

6 tn Heb “the slain of Israel.” The words “because of” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The preceding context makes it clear that Babylon would be judged for its atrocities against Israel (see especially 50:33-34; 51:10, 24, 35).

7 tn The juxtaposition of גַם…גַם (gam...gam), often “both…and,” here indicates correspondence. See BDB 169 s.v. גַּם 4. Appropriately Babylon will fall slain just as her victims, including God’s covenant people, did.