Jeremiah 51:20-23

20 “You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I ¹break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms;

21 with you I break in pieces the horse and his rider; with you I break in pieces the chariot and the charioteer;

22 with you I break in pieces man and woman; with you I break in pieces ²the old man and the youth; with you I break in pieces ³the young man and the young woman;

23 with you I break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; with you I break in pieces the farmer and his team; with you I break in pieces ⁴governors and commanders.

Jeremiah 51:20-23 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.

Cross References

• 1. 51:20 [Dan. 7:7, 19, 23]
• 2. 51:22 2 Chr. 36:17; [Isa. 13:16, 18]
• 3. 51:22 2 Chr. 36:17; [Isa. 13:16, 18]
• 4. 51:23 ver. 28, 57