Jeremiah 2:24

2:24 You are like a wild female donkey brought up in the wilderness.

In her lust she sniffs the wind to get the scent of a male. ¹ 

No one can hold her back when she is in heat.

None of the males need wear themselves out chasing after her.

At mating time she is easy to find. ² 

Jeremiah 51:64

51:64 Then say, ‘In the same way Babylon will sink and never rise again because of the judgments ³  I am ready to bring upon her; they will grow faint.’”

The prophecies of Jeremiah end here. ⁴ 

Jeremiah 51:58

51:58 This is what the Lord who rules over all ⁵  says,

“Babylon’s thick wall ⁶  will be completely demolished. ⁷ 

Her high gates will be set on fire.

The peoples strive for what does not satisfy. ⁸ 

The nations grow weary trying to get what will be destroyed.” ⁹ 

¹ tn The words “to get the scent of a male” are implicit and are supplied in the translation for clarification.

² sn The metaphor is intended to depict Israel’s irrepressible desire to worship other gods.

³ tn Or “disaster”; or “calamity.”

⁴ sn The final chapter of the book of Jeremiah does not mention Jeremiah or record any of his prophecies.

⁵ sn See the note at Jer 2:19.

⁶ tn The text has the plural “walls,” but many Hebrew mss read the singular “wall,” which is also supported by the ancient Greek version. The modifying adjective “thick” is singular as well.

⁷ tn The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following finite verb. Another option is to translate, “will certainly be demolished.”

⁸ tn Heb “for what is empty.”

⁹ tn Heb “and the nations for fire, and they grow weary.”