16 When he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the end of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
And he says to them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then, having arisen, he rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. But the men were astonished, saying, What sort [of man] is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the end of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.
The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters: the ùGod of glory thundereth, -- Jehovah upon great waters. The voice of Jehovah is powerful; the voice of Jehovah is full of majesty. The voice of Jehovah breaketh cedars; yea, Jehovah breaketh the cedars of Lebanon: And he maketh them to skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young buffalo. The voice of Jehovah cleaveth out flames of fire. The voice of Jehovah shaketh the wilderness; Jehovah shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of Jehovah maketh the hinds to calve, and layeth bare the forests; and in his temple doth every one say, Glory! Jehovah sitteth upon the flood; yea, Jehovah sitteth as king for ever.
Dost thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that floods of waters may cover thee? Dost thou send forth lightnings that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the mind? Who numbereth the clouds with wisdom? or who poureth out the bottles of the heavens, When the dust runneth as into a molten mass, and the clods cleave fast together?
Hear attentively the roar of his voice, and the murmur going forth from his mouth. He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency, and holdeth not back the flashes when his voice is heard. ùGod thundereth marvellously with his voice, doing great things which we do not comprehend. For he saith to the snow, Fall on the earth! and to the pouring rain, even the pouring rains of his might. He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. And the wild beast goeth into its lair, and they remain in their dens. From the chamber [of the south] cometh the whirlwind; and cold from the winds of the north. By the breath of ùGod ice is given; and the breadth of the waters is straitened. Also with plentiful moisture he loadeth the thick clouds, his light dispels the cloud;
Lo, ùGod is great, and we comprehend [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. For he draweth up the drops of water: they distil in rain from the vapour which he formeth, Which the skies pour down [and] drop upon man abundantly. But can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, [or] the crashing of his pavilion? Lo, he spreadeth his light around him, and covereth the bottom of the sea. For with them he judgeth the peoples; he giveth food in abundance. [His] hands he covereth with lightning, and commandeth it where it is to strike. His thundering declareth concerning him; the cattle even, concerning its coming.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Keil & Delitzsch Commentary » Commentary on Jeremiah 51
Commentary on Jeremiah 51 Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
Because of the righteousness of Israel, Babylon is to be irretrievably destroyed. Jeremiah 51:5. "For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of Jahveh of hosts; but their land is full of guilt because of the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 51:6. Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save ye every one his life: do not perish for her iniquity; because it is a time of vengeance for Jahveh; He renders to her what she has committed. Jeremiah 51:7. Babylon [was] a golden cup in the hand of Jahveh, that intoxicated all the earth. Nations have drunk of her wine, therefore nations are mad. Jeremiah 51:8. Babylon has fallen suddenly and been broken: howl over her: take balsam for her pain; perhaps she may be healed. Jeremiah 51:9. 'We have tried to heal Babylon, but she is not healed. Leave her, and let us go each one to his own land; for her judgment reaches unto heaven, and is lifted up to the clouds.' Jeremiah 51:10. Jahveh hath brought forth our righteousnesses; come, and let us declare in Zion the doing of Jahveh our God. Jeremiah 51:11. Sharpen the arrow, fill the shields: Jahveh hath roused the spirit of the kings of Media; for His counsel is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of Jahveh, the vengeance of His temple. Jeremiah 51:12. Against the walls of Babylon raise a standard; strengthen the watch, set watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for Jahveh hath both devised and done what He spake against the inhabitants of Babylon. Jeremiah 51:13. O thou that dwellest upon many waters, rich in treasures, thine end hath sworn by Himself, 'Surely I have filled thee with men, as [with] the locust; and they shall raise a shout of joy against thee.'"