Jeremiah 51:1-6

God's Judgment on Babylon

1 This is what the Lord says: I am about to stir up a destructive wind^[a] against Babylon and against the population of Leb-qamai.^[b]

2 I will send strangers to Babylon who will scatter her and strip her land bare, for they will come against her from every side in the day of disaster.

3 Don't let the archer string his bow; don't let him put on^[c] his armor.^[d] Don't spare her young men; completely destroy her entire army!

4 Those who were slain will fall in the land of the Chaldeans, those who were pierced through, in her streets.^[e]

5 For Israel and Judah are not left widowed by their God, the Lord of Hosts, though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.^[f]

6 Leave Babylon;^[g] save your lives, each of you!^[h] Don't be silenced by her guilt. For this is the time of the Lord's vengeance- He will pay her what she deserves.^[i]

Jeremiah 51:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 51

The former part of this chapter is a continuation of the prophecy of the preceding chapter, concerning the destruction of Babylon, Jer 51:1-58; the latter part of it contains a prophecy of Jeremiah sent to the captives in Babylon by the hand of Seraiah, with the copy of the above prophecy against Babylon, and an order to fasten a stone to it, and cast it into the river Euphrates, as a sign, confirming the utter and irreparable ruin of Babylon, Jer 51:59-64.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or stir up the spirit of a destroyer
• [b]. a name for Chaldeans
• [c]. Hb obscure
• [d]. Jr 46:4; Jb 41:13
• [e]. Jr 51:47,52
• [f]. Jr 50:29; Ps 78:41; Isa 37:23
• [g]. Jr 50:8; Rv 18:4
• [h]. Jr 48:6; 51:45
• [i]. Ps 28:4; 137:8; Isa 66:6