(61)
When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read . . .--The meaning of the Hebrew would be better expressed by,
thou shalt see to it and read, or
see to it and read. The English version, as it is, leaves it doubtful who or what is to be seen. The verb for "read" implies reading aloud. Saraiah was to read the prophecy to those whom it concerned, probably to a chosen few among his own countrymen. The idea that it was to be read to the Babylonians is in the highest degree improbable.
Verse 61. - (Comp. 50:3; 51:26.)
And shalt see, and shalt read; rather,
See that thou read.
51:59-64 This prophecy is sent to Babylon, to the captives there, by Seraiah, who is to read it to his countrymen in captivity. Let them with faith see the end of these threatening powers, and comfort themselves herewith. When we see what this world is, how glittering its shows, and how flattering its proposals, let us read in the book of the Lord that it shall shortly be desolate. The book must be thrown into the river Euphrates. The fall of the New Testament Babylon is thus represented, Re 18:21. Those that sink under the weight of God's wrath and curse, sink for ever. Babylon, and every antichrist, will soon sink and rise no more for ever. Let us hope in God's word, and quietly wait for his salvation; then we shall see, but shall not share, the destruction of the wicked.
And Jeremiah said to Seraiah,.... At the time he delivered the copy to him:
when thou comest to Babylon; or art come to Babylon, to the city of Babylon, and to the captive Jews there:
and shalt see them; the captives; or rather the great and populous city of Babylon, its high walls, gates, and towers, whose destruction is foretold in this book, and which might seem incredible. Abarbinel interprets it of his looking into the book given him; which he thinks was not to be opened and looked into till he came to Babylon:
and shalt read all these words; not before the king of Babylon and his princes, and yet not privately to himself; but in some proper place, in the presence of the captive Jews, or the chief of them, convened for that purpose.
