Jeremiah 50:35

“Destructive forces will come against the Babylonians,” ¹  says the Lord. ²  “They will come against the people who inhabit Babylonia, against her leaders and her men of wisdom.

Le 26:25; Isa 19:11-13; Isa 29:14; Isa 41:25; Isa 44:25; Isa 47:13,14; Isa 66:16; Jer 8:9; Jer 10:7; Jer 47:6; Jer 50:27,30; Jer 51:39,57; Eze 14:2; Da 5:1,2,30; Da 5:7,8; Ho 11:6; Zec 11:17

¹ tn Heb “the Chaldeans.” For explanation of the rendering see the study note on 21:4. There is no verb in this clause. Therefore it is difficult to determine whether this should be understood as a command or as a prediction. The presence of vav (ו) consecutive perfects after a similar construction in vv. 36b, d, 37c, 38a and the imperfects after “therefore” (לָכֵן, lakhen) all suggest the predictive or future nuance. However, the vav consecutive perfect could be used to carry on the nuance of command (cf. GKC 333 §112.q) but not in the sense of purpose as NRSV, NJPS render them.

sn Heb “A sword against the Chaldeans.” The “sword” here is metaphorical for destructive forces in the persons of the armies of the north (vv. 3, 9) which the Lord is marshaling against Babylon and which he has addressed by way of command several times (e.g., vv. 14, 21, 26-27, 29). Compare 46:14 and the study note there.

² tn Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”