(40) As God overthrew Sodom . . .--The whole verse is reproduced from Jeremiah 49:18. We enter here, indeed, upon a mosaic of quotations, or at least recollections of other prophecies. Thus Jeremiah 50:41-43 are taken from Jeremiah 6:22-24, "Babylon" being substituted for "Zion," and "the king of Babylon" for "we;" Jeremiah 50:44-46 from Jeremiah 49:19-21, with the necessary substitutions of "Babylon" for "Edom," the Chaldeans" for "Teman," "among the nations" for "in the Red sea." The reader is referred accordingly to the Notes on those passages. The reproduction in identical terms is probably connected with the thoughts of the retribution, on which the prophet dwells in Jeremiah 50:15. All that she had done Babylon was now to suffer.

Verse 40. - A verbal copy of Jeremiah 49:18.

50:33-46 It is Israel's comfort in distress, that, though they are weak, their Redeemer is strong. This may be applied to believers, who complain of the dominion of sin and corruption, and of their own weakness and manifold infirmities. Their Redeemer is able to keep what they commit to him; and sin shall not have dominion over them. He will give them that rest which remains for the people of God. Also here is Babylon's sin, and their punishment. The sins are, idolatry and persecution. He that will not save his people in their sins, never will countenance the wickedness of his open enemies. The judgments of God for these sins will lay them waste. In the judgments denounced against prosperous Babylon, and the mercies promised to afflicted Israel, we learn to choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord,.... Admah and Zeboim:

so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein; the same is said concerning Edom; See Gill on Jeremiah 49:18.