Jeremiah 51:18

18 They're nothing but stale smoke. When the smoke clears, they're gone.

Jeremiah 51:18 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 51:18

They [are] vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their
visitation they shall perish.] (See Gill on Jeremiah 10:15).

Jeremiah 51:18 In-Context

16 He thunders and rain pours down. He sends the clouds soaring. He embellishes the storm with lightnings, launches the wind from his warehouse.

17 Stick-god worshipers look mighty foolish! god-makers embarrassed by their handmade gods! Their gods are frauds, dead sticks - deadwood gods, tasteless jokes.

18 They're nothing but stale smoke. When the smoke clears, they're gone.

19 But the Portion-of-Jacob is the real thing; he put the whole universe together, With special attention to Israel. His name? God-of-the-Angel-Armies! They'll Sleep and Never Wake Up

20 God says, "You, Babylon, are my hammer, my weapon of war. I'll use you to smash godless nations, use you to knock kingdoms to bits.