Jeremiah 51:3

“Against [him that] bendeth let the archer bend his bow, etc.] These are either the words of the Lord to the Medes and Persians, to the archers among them, to bend their bows and level their arrows against the Chaldeans, who had bent their bows and shot their arrows against others; or of the Medes and Persians stirring up one another to draw their bows, and fight manfully against the enemy: and against [him that] lifteth up himself in his brigandine; or coat of mail; that swaggers about in it, proud of it, and putting his confidence in it, as if out of all danger. The sense is, that they should direct their arrows both against those that were more lightly or more heavily armed; since by them…”

“Against him that bendeth--namely, the bow; that is, the Babylonian archer. let the archer bend--that is, the Persian archer (Jer 50:4). The Chaldean version and JEROME, by changing the vowel points, read, "Let not him (the Babylonian) who bendeth his bow bend it." But the close of the verse is addressed to the Median invaders; therefore it is more likely that the first part of the verse is addressed to them, as in English Version, not to the Babylonians, to warn them against resistance as vain, as in the Chaldean version. The word "bend" is thrice repeated: "Against him that bendeth let him that bendeth bend," to imply the utmost straining of the bow.”

“The man who bends the bow, and the heavy-armed soldier who vaunts himself in his coat of mail (Jeremiah 46:4 note), represent the Babylonians who defend the city. return to 'Top of Page'”

“51:3-4 God took the role of commander and ordered the destroyer to wipe out the Babylonians. • completely destroyed: See Lev 27:28-29; 1 Sam 15:3.”

“let the: Jer 50:14, Jer 50:41, Jer 50:42 brigandine: Jer 46:4 spare: Jer 9:21, Jer 50:27, Jer 50:30; Deu 32:25; Psa 137:9; Isa 13:10-18; Jam 2:13 destroy: Jer 50:21 Jeremiah 51:4”