This whole land will be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 11. Years. Verse 1. The neighbouring nations were also involved in this calamity, and were to be sent back by Cyrus. Calmet.—Another period of 70 years is specified, (Calmet. 29:10) during which the city and temple should remain in ruins, till the second of Hystaspes, A. 3485. Usher—This system is not without difficulties. The present prediction seems rather to refer to the desolation, (Vatab. Agg. 1:2) as appears from Zechariah 1:12 or the prophet speaks of the same event in both places, dating from the year preceding the capture of Jerusalem, ( A. 3415), till Darius gave entire liberty to the Jews, A. 3485. We differ from Usher in the years allotted to Cyrus, who began to restore the Jews. 1 Ezra 1:5. Calmet.—These 70 years are dated from the 11th of Sedecias. Worthington.