The Lord of hosts
places the restoration of the Babylonian exiles in the broader history of those who have oppressed his people, similar to Jeremiah 50:17–20. The specific historical event that is in mind here is the exodus from Egypt. The Lord speaks of Babylon as those who have held them (the people of Judah) fast; they refuse to let them go.
The Hebrew word for refuse
is sillah
and is the same word used in Exodus to describe Pharoah’s refusal to let Israel go (see Exodus 7:14; Exodus 9:2; Exodus 10:3). Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of host is his name.
Again, the Hebrew word for Redeemer
is goal
which is used in Exodus as well (Exodus 6:6; Exodus 15:13).1 Just as the Lord delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, so he will bring them out of exile in Babylon.
The Lord will fight the cause of his people. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth (land), but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon.
Previously in Jeremiah the Lord had been the prosecuting advocate, condemning Judah for her faithlessness (Jeremiah 2:9), but now he will be a strong and successful advocate for Judah’s defense. He will act against those who have wronged his people .2 The two themes of the restoration of his people and the judgment of Babylon are once again two sides of the same coin.
33 Ainsi parle l'Eternel des armées: Les enfants d'Israël et les enfants de Juda sont ensemble opprimés; Tous ceux qui les ont emmenés captifs les retiennent, Et refusent de les relâcher.