Book of Jeremiah Chapter 50 Vs. 16

 Judgment on Babylon

Jer 50:16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.

Cut off...

כָּרַת

kāraṯ: A verb meaning to cut off, to cut down, to make a covenant. This word can mean literally to cut something down or off, as grapes (Num. 13:23-24); or branches (Jdg. 9:48-49). It can also be used figuratively, as with people (Jer. 11:19; 50:16). Another important use of this word is to make a covenant (lit., to cut a covenant), perhaps deriving from the practice of cutting an animal in two in the covenant ceremony. God made a covenant with Abraham (Gen. 15:18); Abraham made one with Abimelech (Gen. 21:27). Finally, this word can also mean to destroy, as in Micah's prophecy (Mic. 5:10).

the sower...

זָרַע

zāra‛: A verb meaning to sow, to bear seed. It indicates the act of sowing the ground or field or of planting seed (Gen. 47:23; Exo. 23:16; Deu. 22:9; Jer. 12:13). The verb can take two objects and mean to sow a city with salt (Jdg. 9:45). It is used figuratively of sowing the wind (Hos. 8:7). It is the product of a plant or tree that produces its own seed in itself (Gen. 1:11, 1:29).

from Babylon,...

מִן

min, מִנִּי

minniy, מִנֵּי

minnēy: A preposition used to indicate from, out of, away from; more than: after, since; immediately; because of, since, so that; without; direction as southward, etc.). Its spelling varies according to its location and usage. Its basic meaning is from, away from, out of. Its basic meanings only can be noted here, but its exact meaning is easily discerned from its context: (1) With verbs, it expresses separation spatially or figuratively (Exo. 19:14; Deu. 22:8; Jos. 10:7). It can be used with a verb not indicating separation, e.g., to stay away from strife (Pro. 20:3; Isa. 14:19). (2) With the basic sense of out of, from (Gen. 3:22-24; 4:10; 34:26; Exo. 2:10; 8:9,5; Jdg. 15:7; Psm. 40:2,3), it often indicates what something is made of or formed from (Gen. 2:19; Hos. 13:2). With a pronominal suffix meaning from it, it means of one piece with it (Exo. 25:19, 25:31). It indicates a cause for something, on account of, because (Exo. 2:23; 6:9; 1Kgs. 14:4; Pro. 20:4; Isa. 53:5). (3) It is used to mean something is a part of something else, a part or share of it (Gen. 6:19; 7:8; 39:11; Num. 16:2). It indicates some of in an indefinite sense (Exo. 16:27; Lev. 25:49; Psm. 137:3). When repeated it means some . . . others or its equivalent expression (1Chr. 9:28-29). (4) It is used to mark time: from, since (Deu. 9:24), from a certain day or time (Lev. 22:27; Num. 15:23; 1Sam. 18:9). It is used in phrases to mean from ancient times, antiquity (Hab. 1:12); from of old (Isa. 42:14). It indicates right after a certain time (Gen. 38:24; Jos. 23:1; Ezk. 38:8). (5) Paired with ‛aḏ it usually means from . . . even to, as far as (Gen. 10:19; 15:18; Exo. 11:7; Jer. 51:62). In a figurative sense, this same construction can mean e.g., from young . . . to old, both inclusive (Gen. 19:4; 1Sam. 5:9; Jer. 6:13). (6) It may further indicate than, in comparisons (Lev. 21:10; Jdg. 14:18). (7) Prefixed to an infinitive, it is often translated as from (Gen. 16:2); a few times as on account of or because (Deu. 7:7-8); or temporally as since or after (Num. 24:23; Isa. 44:7). (8) It is often attached to other words in compounds and is sometimes used in front of infinitives of verbs: e.g., with ‛āḇaḏ meaning from serving (Exo. 14:5); with bāla‛ meaning from destroying (Lam. 2:8). (9) It is used in front of a verb form once as a conjunction indicating a negative purpose, "that . . . not" (Deu. 33:11). Other uses almost always fall under one of the above categories.

בָּבֶל

bāḇel: A proper noun designating Babel or Babylon, a name meaning "confession" and the name of the foreign power most often mentioned in the Old Testament, Babylon. Its beginnings go back to Nimrod, "a mighty warrior" and hunter but also a founder of cities and city-states (Gen. 10:8-12). At Babel the languages of the world became mixed and separated (Gen. 11:9), and there great towers (ziggurats) were built to approach the gods as humankind deemed necessary. God stopped the building of these "towers of hubris" (Gen. 11:5-8), where humankind tried to gather together as one (Gen. 11:1-2). It was a part of the Assyrian Empire for a while (2Kgs. 17:24, 17:30). The neo-Babylonian Empire, founded by Nabopolassar (626 B.C.) is often mentioned in the prophets (Isa. Jer., Eze., Dan., Mic., Zec.). Its greatest king, Nebuchadnezzar, ruled nearly 43 years and is the topic of much of the Book of Daniel (Dan. 1:1; 2, 3, 4). The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and took Judah into exile in 587/6 B.C. (2Kgs. 25:1-28; Jer. 52:3-34). Isaiah the prophet especially denounced the idolatry of Babylon (Isa. 40-66). Israel was exiled in 587/6 to Babylon for seventy years in fulfillment of both the prophet Moses' and Jeremiah's prophecies (Deu. 28; Jer. 25:1-14). They returned in 538 B.C. under Cyrus, king of Persia (2Chr. 36:20-23; Ezra 1:1-3; Zec. 2:7,11).

and him that handleth...

תָּפַשׂ

tāp̱aś: A verb meaning to lay hold of, to seize; to capture; to wield. It basically means to seize, to get possession of, to catch in its active usages: to grab hold of something, e.g., a garment (Gen. 39:12); to catch and hold a lizard (Pro. 30:28); to capture or to seize a person (1Sam. 23:26). It has the sense figuratively of holding on to someone or something for support, e. g., Egypt (Ezk. 29:7). In a general sense, it may describe living in or occupying a hill, an area, or a location (Jer. 49:16). It takes on the sense of holding or wielding a tool or a weapon in a skillful way (Ezk. 21:11,16 ; Amos 2:15). By extension, it takes on a figurative sense of handling the Law skillfully or planning strategy in warfare (Num. 31:27; Jer. 34:3). In a passive sense, it means to be seized (Jer. 38:23; 50:24).

the sickle...

מַגָּל

maggāl: A feminine noun referring to a sickle. It refers to an instrument for harvesting grain or clearing land (Jer. 50:16; Joel 3:13; 4:13 ). It is used metaphorically of God's reaping with a sickle among the nations.

in the time...

עֵת

‛ēṯ: A masculine or feminine noun meaning time. The word basically means time. But in context, it expresses many aspects of time and kinds of time. It is used most often to express the time of the occurrence of some event. The word means at that time in a general sense, as when Abimelech and Phicol spoke to Abraham during the days when Ishmael was growing up (Gen. 21:22; 38:1). The time described can be more specific, such as when Moses refers to the time of crisis in the wilderness when the people wanted meat to eat (Deu. 1:9). It may refer to a specific date (Exo. 9:18; 1Sam. 9:16); or a part of a day, as when the dove returned to Noah in the evening (Gen. 8:11; 24:11). The word can refer to a duration of time, as for all time (Exo. 18:22; Pro. 8:30); or for any time in general (Lev. 16:2). The time referred to may be past, present, or future (Num. 23:23; Jdg. 13:23; Isa. 9:1; 8:23). The word can describe times of the Lord's anger (Psm. 21:9,10); or times of trouble (Psm. 9:9,10). In fact, this word can be made to refer to about any kind of time or duration of time by its modifying words and context.

It is used to describe the time when certain appropriate things took place in general. For example, kings customarily went forth to war in the spring (2Sam. 11:1; 1Chr. 20:1). It can depict times that are fitting or suitable for certain reasons, such as rain falling on the land in its season (Deu. 11:14; Jer. 5:24); and fruit trees bearing fruit at the proper time (Psm. 1:3). The author of Pro. 15:23 spoke of a proper time for fitting words. Ecclesiastes 3 described all of life as a grand mosaic of times and seasons; there is a time to do everything-to be born, to die, to plant, to uproot, to kill, to heal, to love, to hate (Ecc. 3:1-3, 3:8). This word occurs nineteen times in these verses (Ecc. 3:1-8), along with a synonym of this word, z^emān, to make twenty references to time.

The Hebrew word can be used to designate a time even more accurately. When the exiles returned, it was time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt (Hag. 1:2). The word designated the set time of marriage (1Sam. 18:19). It pinpointed the time of God's judgments (Isa. 13:22; Ezk. 7:7, 7:12); but also the many times in the past when He delivered them (Neh. 9:28). The Lord stands in readiness to judge every nation when its time comes (Jer. 27:7). There will be a time of the end for all the nations as well (Dan. 8:17; 11:35; 12:4, 12:9). In contrast, the word in context can be combined with chance to indicate uncertain time (Ecc. 9:11); and, appropriately, it describes life in general and its content, whether good or bad (Psm. 31:15,16; Isa. 33:6).

of harvest:...

קָצִיר

qāṣiyr: I. A masculine noun indicating a harvest, a reaping. It refers to the time of the year set by God when crops have ripened and are harvested (Gen. 8:22; 30:14, April-June); and to the activity of harvesting itself (2Sam. 21:9). The failure of a harvest was devastating (Gen. 45:6). Certain feasts were centered around times of harvesting (Exo. 23:16).

II. A masculine noun meaning a bough, a branch. It refers to a fresh bough or sprig springing forth from a stump, an indication of life (Job 14:9). It is used figuratively of the wicked whose branch is dead, cut off (Job 18:16); and to the prosperity of Job in his earlier years (Job 29:19). It is used of Israel's prospering (Psm. 80:11,12), but also to her state of ruin as dry limbs (Isa. 27:11).

for fear...

פָּנֶה

pāneh, פָּנִים

pāniym: A masculine plural noun meaning a face. Although the literal meaning of face is possible (Gen. 43:31; Lev. 13:41; 1Kgs. 19:13), most of the time this word occurs in a figurative, idiomatic phrase. Face can be a substitute for the entire person (Exo. 33:14-15); or it can be a reflection of the person's mood or attitude: defiant (Jer. 5:3); ruthless (Deu. 28:50); joyful (Job. 29:24); humiliated (2Sam. 19:5,6); terrified (Isa. 13:8); displeased (Gen. 4:5). It is also used to indicate direction (Gen. 31:21); or purpose (Jer. 42:15, 42:17). This noun also designates the top or surface of something: the ground (Gen. 2:6; 4:14); a field (Isa. 28:25); or water (Gen. 1:2). It also connotes the front of something, like a pot (Jer. 1:13); or an army (Joel 2:20). With various prepositions, pānîm takes on the nature of a particle and expresses such concepts as upon (Exo. 23:17; Lev. 14:53); before a place (Num. 8:22); before a time (Ezk. 42:12; Amos 1:1); in the presence of (Est. 1:10).

of the oppressing...

יָנָה

yānāh: A verb meaning to oppress, to treat violently. The term is used in Exo. 22:21,20, Lev. 25:14, 25:17, and Deu. 23:16,17 to refer to improper treatment of strangers and the poor. The participle functions as a noun meaning oppressor (Jer. 25:38; 46:16; 50:16). In the Prophets, the term is typically used of foreign oppressors.

sword...

חֶרֶב

ḥereḇ: A feminine noun meaning a sword, a knife, a cutting tool. The word frequently pictures the sword, along with the bow and shield, as the standard fighting equipment of the times (Gen. 48:22; Psm. 76:3.4; Hos. 1:7). Warriors are referred to as those drawing the sword (Jdg. 20; 1Chr. 21:5). The sword may also stand for a larger unit of military power, sometimes pictured as coming on a people or land (Lev. 26:25; Lam. 1:20; Ezk. 14:17). The cutting action of a sword is likened to eating, and its edges are literally referred to as mouths. Similarly, the mouths of people are likened to swords (Psm. 59:7,8; Pro. 30:14; Isa. 49:2). The sword is also a symbol of judgment executed by God (Gen. 3:24; Deu. 32:41; Jer. 47:6); or His people (Psm. 149:6). The word can refer to a knife (Jos. 5:2-3); or a tool for cutting stones (Exo. 20:25).

they shall turn...

פָּנָה

pānāh: A verb meaning to turn. It is used in various contexts. It has the following basic meanings: to turn toward (plus ’el) (Jdg. 6:14; Isa. 13:14; Jer. 50:16); to turn in a direction (plus ‛al) (Gen. 24:10); to turn from, away (plus min (Gen. 18:22); to turn with the goal, intention of doing something (Num. 21:33; Deu. 1:7; 1Kgs. 10:13; Ecc. 2:12); to take a specific direction, north, south, etc. (Exo. 16:10; Num. 16:42; 17:7; Jos. 15:7). In its intensive and causative stems, it may mean to turn, remove, or put something out of the way (Jdg. 15:4; Jer. 48:39; Zep. 3:15). In its passive use, it refers to being turned (Jer. 49:8). It is found in many figurative or idiomatic expressions: to turn to God in worship and time of need (Isa. 45:22); to turn and follow one's own desires (Isa. 53:6); to turn toward evening, for evening to come (Gen. 24:63); likewise for morning to come (Exo. 14:27). To turn to persons can mean to regard them compassionately, to give consideration to them (2Sam. 9:8); it is used of inanimate things as well (Ecc. 2:11).

every one...

אִישׁ

’iyš: A masculine noun meaning a man or an individual. It is also used to mean male or husband. This word does not indicate humankind but the male gender in particular. Its feminine counterpart is a woman or wife. In Hos. 2:16,18, this word describes God's special relationship to Israel. He will be their protective husband, not their master. Curiously, the word is also used of animals (Gen. 7:2), referring to a male and his mate.

to...

אֵל

’ēl, אֶל

’el: A preposition meaning to, into, concerning. It has the basic meaning of toward. It is used in all kinds of situations indicating direction (Gen. 2:19; 16:11; 18:7; Lev. 1:16). It is used metaphorically to refer to speaking to someone (Gen. 8:15) or sexual intercourse (Gen. 16:2; Num. 25:1). It indicates direction when things face each other (Num. 12:8). Its use in the idiom hinn^eni ’ēl indicates motion toward (Gen. 4:8). Other meanings according to context are: as far as (Jer. 51:9); into (Jon. 1:5); to sit at (Gen. 24:11; 1Kgs. 13:20). Used figuratively, it can mean with regard to something (2Sam. 1:24). When used with other prepositions, it indicates direction or location according to the preposition it is being combined with (Jos. 15:13; 17:4; 1Kgs. 8:6; 2Kgs. 9:18).

It is used in place of or interchangeably for the preposition ‛al and takes on the meaning of upon, on (Jos. 5:14; Jdg. 6:37).

his people,...

עַ ם

‛am, עָ ם

‛ām: A masculine noun meaning a people, peoples, people of the land, citizens. The word is used over nineteen hundred times to indicate groups of people that can be categorized in various ways. The largest group of people is the one comprising the whole earth (see Gen. 11:1); it constituted one people (Gen. 11:6); who shared a common language (Gen. 11:6; Ezk. 3:5); a common location (see Gen. 11:2); and a common purpose and goal (see Gen 11:4). However, the Lord scattered the group and brought about multiple languages, thereby producing many groups who would then develop into new peoples united around common languages, including common ancestors, religious beliefs, traditions, and ongoing blood relationships.

The word is used to describe various groups that developed. The people of the sons of Israel (Exo. 1:9; Ezra 9:1), was a term referring to all Israel. The people of Judah were a subgroup of Israel (2Sam. 19:40,41), as was northern Israel (2Kgs. 9:6). The people of Israel as a whole could be described in religious or moral terms as a holy, special people (Deu. 7:6; 14:2; Dan. 8:24); or the Lord's inheritance (Deu. 4:20). Above all, they were to be the Lord's people (Jdg. 5:11; 1Sam. 2:24); and the people of God (2Sam. 14:13). They were the Lord's own people because He had rescued them from slavery to Pharaoh and his gods (Exo. 6:7). But the Lord Himself characterized His people as stiff-necked (Exo. 32:9; 33:3; 34:9; Deu. 9:13). To be a member of the Lord's people was to have the Lord as one's God (Ruth 1:16); if God's people rejected the Lord, they ceased to be His people. Therefore, it is clear that God's presence and ownership of His people gave them their identity (Exo. 33:13, 33:16; Hos. 1:9; cf. Deu. 32:21).

In the plural form, the word refers to many peoples or nations. Jerusalem, destroyed and lamenting, called for the people of the world to look on it and its guilt (Lam. 1:18). Israel was chosen from among all the peoples of the earth (Exo. 19:5, 19:7; Deu. 14:2). The Lord is in control of all the plans of the nations and peoples (Psm. 33:10). The word is used in parallel with gôyim. Isaac prayed for Jacob's offspring to become a community of peoples that would include the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen. 28:3).

The word described people in general-that is, nonethnic or national groups. It refers to all the people as individuals in the world (Isa. 42:5). When persons died, they were gathered to their people (Gen. 25:8, 25:17). It also referred to people from a particular city (Ruth 4:9; 2Chr. 32:18); or people from a specific land (e.g., Canaan [Zep. 1:11]). Centuries earlier, Pharaoh referred to the Hebrews living in Egypt under slavery as the people of the land (Exo. 5:5). This phrase could refer to the population at large in Solomon's time and later (2Kgs. 11:14, 11:18; 15:5); or to the population of Canaan in Abraham's time (Gen. 23:7).

The term also depicted foreign peoples and nations. The Moabites were the people of the god Chemosh (Num. 21:29). The word designated foreigners in general as strange or alien people (Exo. 21:8); the people of Egypt were considered the people of Pharaoh (Exo. 1:9, 1:22).

The word is even used to describe a gathering of ants (Pro. 30:25); or rock badgers (Pro. 30:26).

and they shall flee...

נוּס

nûs: A verb meaning to flee. It indicates the idea of escape, fleeing away, getting to a safe spot. It is used of warriors fleeing in battle (Gen. 14:10); of people fleeing disaster of various kinds (Gen. 19:20; Jdg. 7:21; Jer. 48:44; Zec. 2:6,10; 14:5). It is employed figuratively of seas, shadows, strength, etc., all disappearing or fleeing away (Deu. 34:7; Psm. 114:3, 114:5; Song 2:17). In its causative sense, it means to cause someone or something to flee, to put to flight (Exo. 9:20; Deu. 32:30; Jdg. 1:6). It indicates the speedy and onrushing manner in which the Lord escorts in His Redeemer (Isa. 59:19).

every one... see above.

to his own land...

אֶרֶץ

’ereṣ: A noun meaning the earth, land. It is used almost 2,500 times in the Old Testament. It refers to the whole earth under God's dominion (Gen. 1:1; 14:19; Exo. 9:29; Psm. 102:25,26; Pro. 8:31; Mic. 4:13). Since the earth was God's possession, He promised to give the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants (Gen. 12:7; 15:7). The Promised Land was very important to Abraham's descendants and to the nation of Israel that possessed the land (Jos. 1:2, 1:4). Israel's identity was tied to the land because it signified the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. If the Israelites were disobedient, however, they would be cursed by losing the land (Lev. 26:32-34, 26:36, 26:38-39; Deu. 28:63-64; Jer. 7:7).