51:57 “I will make her officials and wise men drunk,
along with her governors, leaders, 1 and warriors.
They will fall asleep forever and never wake up,” 2
says the King whose name is the Lord who rules over all. 3
51:58 This is what the Lord who rules over all 4 says,
“Babylon’s thick wall 5 will be completely demolished. 6
Her high gates will be set on fire.
The peoples strive for what does not satisfy. 7
The nations grow weary trying to get what will be destroyed.” 8
1 sn For discussion of the terms “governors” and “leaders” see the note at Jer 51:23.
2 sn See the note at Jer 51:39.
3 tn For the title “Yahweh of armies” see the study note on Jer 2:19.
4 sn See the note at Jer 2:19.
5 tn The text has the plural “walls,” but many Hebrew
6 tn The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following finite verb. Another option is to translate, “will certainly be demolished.”
7 tn Heb “for what is empty.”
8 tn Heb “and the nations for fire, and they grow weary.”