Jeremiah, who typically delivers judgment oracles against Israel's disobedience, here uniquely proclaims their deliverance and "everlasting covenant" while condemning their former oppressor Babylon.
Jeremiah 50
Babylon's Fall and Israel's Return
1The word that the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet.
2“Declare among the nations and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and don’t conceal; say, ‘Babylon has been taken, Bel is disappointed, Merodach is dismayed! Her images are disappointed. Her idols are dismayed.’
3For a nation comes up out of the north against her, which will make her land desolate, and no one will dwell in it. They have fled. They are gone, both man and animal.
4“In those days, and in that time,” says the LORD, “the children of Israel will come, they and the children of Judah together; they will go on their way weeping, and will seek the LORD their God.
5They will inquire concerning Zion with their faces turned toward it, saying, ‘Come, and join yourselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.’
6My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have caused them to go astray. They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill. They have forgotten their resting place.
7All who found them have devoured them. Their adversaries said, ‘We are not guilty, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of righteousness, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’
8“Flee out of the middle of Babylon! Go out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the male goats before the flocks.
9For, behold, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country; and they will set themselves in array against her. She will be taken from there. Their arrows will be as of an expert mighty man. None of them will return in vain.
10Chaldea will be a prey. All who prey on her will be satisfied,” says the LORD.
11“Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong horses,
12your mother will be utterly disappointed. She who bore you will be confounded. Behold, she will be the least of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
13Because of the LORD’s wrath she won’t be inhabited, but she will be wholly desolate. Everyone who goes by Babylon will be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
14Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her. Spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD.
15Shout against her all around. She has submitted herself. Her bulwarks have fallen. Her walls have been thrown down, for it is the vengeance of the LORD. Take vengeance on her. As she has done, do to her.
16Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him who handles the sickle in the time of harvest. For fear of the oppressing sword, they will each return to their own people, and they will each flee to their own land.
17“Israel is a hunted sheep. The lions have driven him away. First, the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.”
18Therefore the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
19I will bring Israel again to his pasture, and he will feed on Carmel and Bashan. His soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.
20In those days, and in that time,” says the LORD, “the iniquity of Israel will be sought for, and there will be none, also the sins of Judah, and they won’t be found; for I will pardon them whom I leave as a remnant.
Divine Judgment on Babylon
21“Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill and utterly destroy after them,” says the LORD, “and do according to all that I have commanded you.
22A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.
23How the hammer of the whole earth is cut apart and broken! How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations!
24I have laid a snare for you, and you are also taken, Babylon, and you weren’t aware. You are found, and also caught, because you have fought against the LORD.
25The LORD has opened his armory, and has brought out the weapons of his indignation; for the Lord, GOD of Armies, has a work to do in the land of the Chaldeans.
26Come against her from the farthest border. Open her storehouses. Cast her up as heaps. Destroy her utterly. Let nothing of her be left.
27Kill all her bulls. Let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them! For their day has come, the time of their visitation.
28Listen to those who flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.
29“Call together the archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Encamp against her all around. Let none of it escape. Pay her back according to her work. According to all that she has done, do to her; for she has been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.
30Therefore her young men will fall in her streets. All her men of war will be brought to silence in that day,” says the LORD.
31“Behold, I am against you, you proud one,” says the Lord, GOD of Armies; “for your day has come, the time that I will visit you.
32The proud one will stumble and fall, and no one will raise him up. I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all who are around him.”
Israel's Redemption and Babylon's Terror
33The LORD of Armies says: “The children of Israel and the children of Judah are oppressed together. All who took them captive hold them fast. They refuse to let them go.
34Their Redeemer is strong. The LORD of Armies is his name. He will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
35“A sword is on the Chaldeans,” says the LORD, “and on the inhabitants of Babylon, on her princes, and on her wise men.
36A sword is on the boasters, and they will become fools. A sword is on her mighty men, and they will be dismayed.
37A sword is on their horses, on their chariots, and on all the mixed people who are in the middle of her; and they will become as women. A sword is on her treasures, and they will be robbed.
38A drought is on her waters, and they will be dried up; for it is a land of engraved images, and they are mad over idols.
39Therefore the wild animals of the desert with the wolves will dwell there. The ostriches will dwell therein. It will be inhabited no more forever, neither will it be lived in from generation to generation.
40As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and its neighbor cities,” says the LORD, “so no man will dwell there, neither will any son of man live therein.
41“Behold, a people comes from the north. A great nation and many kings will be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.
42They take up bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea. They ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Babylon.
43The king of Babylon has heard the news of them, and his hands become feeble. Anguish has taken hold of him, pains as of a woman in labor.
44Behold, the enemy will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan against the strong habitation; for I will suddenly make them run away from it. Whoever is chosen, I will appoint him over it, for who is like me? Who will appoint me a time? Who is the shepherd who can stand before me?”
45Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD that he has taken against Babylon; and his purposes that he has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely they will drag them away, even the little ones of the flock. Surely he will make their habitation desolate over them.
46The earth trembles at the noise of the taking of Babylon. The cry is heard among the nations.
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Theme
Jeremiah 50 contains God's prophetic judgment against Babylon, the very nation He used to discipline Israel and Judah. The chapter announces Babylon's coming destruction by a coalition from the north, while simultaneously promising Israel's restoration and return from exile. This oracle demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and His faithfulness to His covenant people, showing that even mighty Babylon will face divine retribution for its pride and cruelty.
Context
This chapter begins the extended oracle against Babylon (chapters 50-51) that follows Jeremiah's prophecies against various nations, preparing for the book's conclusion about Jerusalem's fall and eventual hope.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-10 Babylon's Fall Announced God declares Babylon's defeat by northern nations and calls Israel to flee the doomed empire.
- 11-16 Reasons for Babylon's Judgment Babylon's arrogance, rejoicing over Israel's destruction, and sins against the Lord justify divine wrath.
- 17-20 Israel's Restoration Promised God promises to restore scattered Israel, forgive their sins, and punish their oppressors.
- 21-32 Divine War Against Babylon The Lord commands total destruction of Babylon for its rebellion and oppression of His people.
- 33-40 Israel's Redemption and Babylon's Desolation God will redeem His oppressed people while making Babylon permanently uninhabitable like Sodom.
- 41-46 The Northern Destroyer Described A mighty king from the north will execute God's judgment, causing Babylon's king to despair.
Babylon's Fall and Israel's Return
50:1–50:20 prophecy triumphant
God announces Babylon's fall and the liberation of Israel and Judah, who will return to seek the Lord and enter into an everlasting covenant.
person_contrast
Jeremiah, who typically delivers judgment oracles against Israel's disobedience, here uniquely proclaims their deliverance and "everlasting covenant" while condemning their former oppressor Babylon.
Divine Judgment on Babylon
50:21–50:32 prophecy wrathful
God pronounces judgment against Babylon for its pride and opposition to the LORD, commanding its complete destruction. The passage emphasizes divine vengeance and the certainty of Babylon's downfall.
geographic
Jeremiah transforms Babylon into "Merathaim" (double rebellion) and its people into "Pekod" (punishment), creating a wordplay where the empire's very identity becomes synonymous with its divine judgment.
Israel's Redemption and Babylon's Terror
50:33–50:46 prophecy hopeful
God promises to redeem oppressed Israel and Judah while bringing complete desolation upon Babylon. The passage contrasts Israel's restoration with Babylon's permanent destruction, comparing it to Sodom and Gomorrah.
theme_rarity
Jeremiah uniquely pairs Israel's "redemption" with God giving "rest to the earth," linking personal deliverance to cosmic restoration in a way found nowhere else in Scripture.
Insights
Jeremiah transforms Babylon into "Merathaim" (double rebellion) and its people into "Pekod" (punishment), creating a wordplay where the empire's very identity becomes synonymous with its divine judgment.
Jeremiah uniquely pairs Israel's "redemption" with God giving "rest to the earth," linking personal deliverance to cosmic restoration in a way found nowhere else in Scripture.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Jeremiah 50:1 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 8:9 Lexical
The wise men are disappointed. They are dismayed and trapped. Behold, they have rejected the LORD’s word. What kind of w…
Jeremiah 48:1 Lexical
Of Moab. The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Woe to Nebo! For it is laid waste. Kiriathaim is disappointed. It…
Jeremiah 51:56 Lexical
For the destroyer has come on her, even on Babylon. Her mighty men are taken. Their bows are broken in pieces, for the L…
Isaiah 46:1 Lexical
Bel bows down. Nebo stoops. Their idols are carried by animals, and on the livestock. The things that you carried around…
Jeremiah 48:20 Lexical
Moab is disappointed; for it is broken down. Wail and cry! Tell it by the Arnon, that Moab is laid waste.
Jeremiah 50:6 3 references
Lexicals 3
Psalms 119:176 Lexical
I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.
Jeremiah 25:35 Lexical
The shepherds will have no way to flee. The leader of the flock will have no escape.
Jeremiah 23:1 Lexical
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 50:8 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:9 3 references
Lexicals 3
Jeremiah 51:11 Lexical
“Make the arrows sharp! Hold the shields firmly! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because h…
Ezekiel 26:7 Lexical
“For the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I will bring on Tyre Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, from the north, wit…
Jeremiah 51:56 Lexical
For the destroyer has come on her, even on Babylon. Her mighty men are taken. Their bows are broken in pieces, for the L…
Jeremiah 50:11 2 references
Jeremiah 50:12 4 references
Lexicals 4
Jeremiah 2:6 Lexical
They didn’t say, ‘Where is the LORD who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, who led us through the wilderness, throu…
Isaiah 35:1 Lexical
The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
Proverbs 19:26 Lexical
He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
Jeremiah 15:9 Lexical
She who has borne seven languishes. She has given up the spirit. Her sun has gone down while it was yet day. She has bee…
Jeremiah 50:13 2 references
Jeremiah 50:14 4 references
Lexicals 4
Jeremiah 51:3 Lexical
Against him who bends, let the archer bend his bow, also against him who lifts himself up in his coat of mail. Don’t spa…
Isaiah 5:28 Lexical
whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent. Their horses’ hoofs will be like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwi…
Lamentations 3:12 Lexical
He has bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
Psalms 11:2 Lexical
For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the up…
Jeremiah 50:15 3 references
Lexicals 3
Joshua 6:5 Lexical
It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the pe…
Joshua 6:20 Lexical
So the people shouted and the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shou…
Ezekiel 38:20 Lexical
so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, all creeping things who creep on the earth,…
Jeremiah 50:16 4 references
Lexicals 4
Jeremiah 51:33 Lexical
For the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says: “The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time when it i…
Jeremiah 46:21 Lexical
Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall, for they also are turned back. They have fled away…
Jeremiah 49:8 Lexical
Flee! Turn back! Dwell in the depths, inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau on him when I visit hi…
Jeremiah 51:6 Lexical
“Flee out of the middle of Babylon! Everyone save his own life! Don’t be cut off in her iniquity, for it is the time of…
Jeremiah 50:19 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:20 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 31:34 Lexical
They will no longer each teach his neighbor, and every man teach his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD;’ for they will all…
Exodus 34:9 Lexical
He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, Lord, please let the Lord go among us, even though this is a stiff-ne…
Jeremiah 36:3 Lexical
It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I intend to do to them, that they may each return from hi…
2 Chronicles 7:14 Lexical
if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then…
Jeremiah 5:1 Lexical
“Run back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in its wide places, if you can fin…
Jeremiah 50:23 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:24 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:25 4 references
Lexicals 4
Ezekiel 22:31 Lexical
Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have brought their…
2 Chronicles 5:1 Lexical
Thus all the work that Solomon did for the LORD’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things that David his fathe…
1 Kings 7:51 Lexical
Thus all the work that King Solomon did in the LORD’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his…
Daniel 1:2 Lexical
The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them i…
Jeremiah 50:28 2 references
Jeremiah 50:29 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:30 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:31 3 references
Lexicals 3
Ezekiel 16:8 Lexical
“‘“Now when I passed by you, and looked at you, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread my garment over you…
Jeremiah 49:5 Lexical
Behold, I will bring a terror on you,” says the Lord, GOD of Armies, “from all who are around you. All of you will be dr…
Ezekiel 13:8 Lexical
“‘Therefore the Lord GOD says: “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you,” s…
Jeremiah 50:32 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:34 4 references
Lexicals 4
Proverbs 23:11 Lexical
for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.
Lamentations 3:58 Lexical
Lord, you have pleaded the causes of my soul. You have redeemed my life.
Psalms 119:154 Lexical
Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
Isaiah 43:14 Lexical
The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: “For your sake, I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring all of th…
Jeremiah 50:35 4 references
Lexicals 4
Jeremiah 51:24 Lexical
“I will give to Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight,”…
Jeremiah 32:5 Lexical
and he will bring Zedekiah to Babylon, and he will be there until I visit him,” says the LORD, “though you fight with th…
Jeremiah 25:12 Lexical
“It will happen, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,” says the…
Jeremiah 38:18 Lexical
But if you will not go out to the king of Babylon’s princes, then this city will be given into the hand of the Chaldeans…
Jeremiah 50:37 2 references
Jeremiah 50:39 3 references
Lexicals 3
Isaiah 13:21 Lexical
But wild animals of the desert will lie there, and their houses will be full of jackals. Ostriches will dwell there, and…
Isaiah 13:20 Lexical
It will never be inhabited, neither will it be lived in from generation to generation. The Arabian will not pitch a tent…
Isaiah 34:14 Lexical
The wild animals of the desert will meet with the wolves, and the wild goat will cry to his fellow. Yes, the night creat…
Jeremiah 50:40 4 references
Lexicals 4
Jeremiah 49:18 Lexical
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and its neighbor cities,” says the LORD, “no man will dwell there, neither wil…
Amos 4:11 Lexical
“I have overthrown some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a burning stick plucked out…
Isaiah 13:19 Lexical
Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be like when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Zephaniah 2:9 Lexical
Therefore, as I live, says the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, surely Moab will be as Sodom, and the children of Ammo…
Jeremiah 50:41 1 reference
Jeremiah 50:42 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 6:23 Lexical
They take hold of bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on hor…
Hosea 1:7 Lexical
But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, sw…
Zechariah 9:10 Lexical
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak…
Amos 2:15 Lexical
He who handles the bow won’t stand. He who is swift of foot won’t escape. He who rides the horse won’t deliver himself.
Ezekiel 23:23 Lexical
the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, Koa, and all the Assyrians with them; all of them desirable young me…
Jeremiah 50:43 3 references
Lexicals 3
Jeremiah 6:24 Lexical
We have heard its report. Our hands become feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us, and pains as of a woman in labor.
Jeremiah 49:24 Lexical
Damascus has grown feeble, she turns herself to flee, and trembling has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken hold…
Micah 4:9 Lexical
Now why do you cry out aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pains have taken hold of you as…
Jeremiah 50:44 2 references
Lexicals 2
Jeremiah 50:45 4 references
Lexicals 4
Jeremiah 49:20 Lexical
Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he has taken against Edom, and his purposes that he has purposed against th…
Jeremiah 49:30 Lexical
Flee! Wander far off! Dwell in the depths, you inhabitants of Hazor,” says the LORD; “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon…
Jeremiah 18:18 Lexical
Then they said, “Come! Let’s devise plans against Jeremiah; for the law won’t perish from the priest, nor counsel from t…
Ezekiel 11:2 Lexical
He said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity, and who give wicked counsel in this city;
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Lemma
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Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Destruction Of Sodom And Gomorrah
c. 2067 BCGod's judgment on these wicked cities through fire and brimstone, sparing only Lot and his family. This event demonstrates divine justice and the consequences of persistent sin.
Babylon's complete desolation is compared to the total destruction of these ancient cities.
Israel's Redemption and Babylon's Terror