God will punish Babylon. Her gods will be discredited, her city demolished. Other nations are repeatedly summoned to arms to completely destroy Babylon. Israel is called to escape, for this is God’s deliverance for her. These three themes—Babylon, the attacking foe, and Israel—like juggler’s balls recur in the oracle.

The oracle is in two halves, with corresponding and contrasting features in each (50:4–44; 51:1–53). (See Aitken.) “I am against you” occurs in both halves (50:31; 51:25). Each half has a song about a weapon (50:35–38; 51:20–23); and in each there is a pun on Babylon (50:21; 51:41). Both halves announce Babylon’s fall (50:46; 51:31). Her fall will have a far-reaching, even universal, impact (50:12). In the first half the figures of sheep, shepherd, and pasture dominate (50:…