Jeremiah 51:15-19

15 He made the earth by His power, established the world^[a] by His wisdom,^[b] and spread out the heavens by His understanding.^[c]

16 When He thunders,^[d] the waters in the heavens are in turmoil,^[e] and He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from His storehouses.^[f]

17 Everyone is stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith is put to shame by [his] carved image,^[g] for his cast images are a lie;^[h] there is no breath in them.^[i]

18 They are worthless,^[j] a work to be mocked. At the time of their punishment they will be destroyed.^[k]

19 Jacob's Portion^[l] is not like these because He is the One who formed all things.^[m] [Israel is] the tribe of His inheritance;^[n] the Lord of Hosts is His name.^[o]

Jeremiah 51:15-19 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] Jb 38:4; Ps 93:1; 96:10
• [b] Pr 3:19-20; 8:22-29
• [c] Jb 9:8; Ps 104:2; Isa 45:12
• [d] Lit At His giving of the voice
• [e] Jr 5:22; 31:35
• [f] Jb 38:25-30,34-38; Ps 135:7
• [g] Isa 40:18-31; 46:1-7
• [h] Isa 41:29
• [i] Hab 2:19
• [j] Jr 10:3,8
• [k] Jr 6:15; 10:15; 49:8
• [l] the Lord
• [m] Gn 2:7-8,19; Ps 95:5; Isa 43:1
• [n] Dt 32:8-9; Ps 74:2; Isa 63:17
• [o] Jr 10:12-16