Yirmeyah 51:20-23

20 Thou art my battle ax and klei milchamah (weapons of war); for with thee will I break in pieces the Goyim, and with thee will I destroy mamlechot (kingdoms);

21 And with thee will I break in pieces the sus and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the merkavah and his rider;

22 With thee also will I break in pieces ish and isha; and with thee will I break in pieces zaken and na’ar; and with thee will I break in pieces the bochur and the betulah;

23 I will also break in pieces with thee the ro’eh and his eder; and with thee will I break in pieces the ikkar (farmer) and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces pachot (rulers) and seganim (officials).

Yirmeyah 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.