Jeremiah 30:16

But ¹  all who destroyed you will be destroyed. All your enemies will go into exile. Those who plundered you will be plundered. I will cause those who pillaged you to be pillaged. ² 

Ex 23:22; Ps 129:5; Ps 137:8,9; Isa 14:2; Isa 33:1; Isa 41:11,12; Isa 47:5,6; Isa 54:15; Isa 54:17; Jer 10:25; Jer 12:14; Jer 25:12,26-29; Jer 50:7-11,17,18,28,33-40; Jer 51:34-37; La 1:21; La 4:21,22; Eze 25:3-7; Eze 26:2-21; Eze 29:6; Eze 35:5; Mic 4:11; Mic 7:10; Na 1:8; Hab 2:16; Zep 2:8; Zec 1:14; Zec 2:8; Zec 12:2; Zec 14:2; Re 13:10

¹ tn For the translation of this particle, which is normally translated “therefore” and often introduces an announcement of judgment, compare the usage at Jer 16:14 and the translator’s note there. Here as there it introduces a contrast, a rather unexpected announcement of salvation. For a similar use see also Hos 2:14 (2:16 HT). Recognition of this usage makes the proposed emendation of BHS of לָכֵן כָּל (lakhen kol) to וְכָל (vÿkhol) unnecessary.

² sn With the exception of the second line there is a definite attempt at wordplay in each line to underline the principle of lex talionis on a national and political level. This principle has already been appealed to in the case of the end of Babylonian sovereignty in 25:14; 27:7.