Jeremiah 50 13

Jeremiah 50:13 kjv

Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.

Jeremiah 50:13 nkjv

Because of the wrath of the LORD She shall not be inhabited, But she shall be wholly desolate. Everyone who goes by Babylon shall be horrified And hiss at all her plagues.

Jeremiah 50:13 niv

Because of the LORD's anger she will not be inhabited but will be completely desolate. All who pass Babylon will be appalled; they will scoff because of all her wounds.

Jeremiah 50:13 esv

Because of the wrath of the LORD she shall not be inhabited but shall be an utter desolation; everyone who passes by Babylon shall be appalled, and hiss because of all her wounds.

Jeremiah 50:13 nlt

Because of the LORD's anger,
Babylon will become a deserted wasteland.
All who pass by will be horrified
and will gasp at the destruction they see there.

Jeremiah 50 verses

Jeremiah 50 13 meaning

Jeremiah 50:13 declares the complete and permanent desolation of Babylon as a direct consequence of the LORD's righteous indignation. Its utter ruin will be so profound that any passerby will be struck with horror and dismay, observing the totality of its destruction and the grievous blows it has sustained. The verse emphasizes that this catastrophic judgment is divinely orchestrated, making its devastation absolute and irrevocable.

Jeremiah 50 13 Context

Jeremiah chapter 50 opens a sustained prophetic denunciation against Babylon, detailing its impending destruction. This section (chapters 50-51) is a distinct part of Jeremiah's prophecies, unique in its sole focus on Babylon, which had previously been God's instrument for judging Judah. The original audience for Jeremiah 50 was primarily the exiles in Babylon and the remaining people in Judah, experiencing or having witnessed Babylon's overwhelming power. This message served both as a source of hope for the distressed Israelites—assuring them of God's justice and ultimate vindication—and as a warning to other nations about the consequences of defying the sovereign LORD. Historically, Babylon had become the dominant global power, known for its immense wealth, military might, and the glory of Nebuchadnezzar's empire, including the magnificent Ishtar Gate and Hanging Gardens. The prophecies against Babylon implicitly carry a polemic against the strength of Babylonian gods and its false sense of security; Jeremiah proclaims that their vast fortifications and powerful deities will not prevent Yahweh's wrath from making the city utterly desolate.

Jeremiah 50 13 Word analysis

• Because of the LORD's wrath: מִפְּנֵ֤י קֶ֣צֶף יְהוָה֙ (mippenê qeṣeph YHWH).

  • מִפְּנֵי (mippenê): Lit. "from the face of" or "because of." Implies direct causation; the judgment originates entirely from God's presence and action.
  • קֶ֣צֶף (qeṣeph): Wrath, indignation, anger. Signifies a fierce, hot, and decisive divine anger, not mere annoyance but a justified and powerful response to sin and arrogance. This is a righteous judgment.
  • יְהוָה֙ (YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereign power and unchanging nature. It stresses that the God of Israel is bringing this judgment, not some lesser deity or natural calamity.

• it shall not be inhabited: לֹ֥א תֵשֵׁ֖ב (loʾ tēšēḇ).

  • לֹ֥א (loʾ): No, not. A strong negation.
  • תֵשֵׁ֖ב (tēšēḇ): From ישׁב (yashab), to dwell, inhabit, sit. Denotes absolute emptiness and cessation of human presence. This is a definitive and lasting state.

• but it shall be wholly desolate: כֻּלָּ֥הּ שְׁמָמָ֖ה (kullāh shĕmāmāh).

  • כֻּלָּ֥הּ (kullāh): Its entirety, wholly. Emphasizes the complete nature of the desolation, not just partial ruin.
  • שְׁמָמָ֖ה (shĕmāmāh): Desolation, waste, ruin, wilderness. Often used to describe a land devoid of human inhabitants, left waste, or cursed. It suggests a state of permanent ruin and emptiness, making it uninhabitable and unproductive. This term frequently appears in prophecies of judgment.

• everyone who goes by Babylon: כֹּ֣ל עֹבֵ֣ר בְּבָבֶ֔ל (kōl ʿōḇēr bəḇāḇel).

  • כֹּ֣ל (kōl): All, every. Highlights the universality of observation; no one passing by will miss it.
  • עֹבֵ֣ר (ʿōḇēr): Passerby, one who passes by. Emphasizes that even casual observers will witness the destruction.
  • בְּבָבֶ֔ל (bəḇāḇel): In Babylon. Points directly to the subject of judgment.

• will be appalled: יִשֹּׁ֖ם (yišōm).

  • From שׂמם (shāmam), to be appalled, to be astonished, to be horrified. Denotes a deep emotional reaction of shock, terror, and speechless dismay. This isn't just surprise but a profound sense of horror at the extent of the calamity.

• and hiss: וְיִשְׁרֹ֑ק (wəyishrōq).

  • From שָׁרַק (shāraq), to hiss, to whistle, to make a whizzing sound. In this context, it often conveys derision or scorn, but also lament, grief, or astonishment. Here, it likely means a gasp of shock and lament rather than outright mockery, reflecting profound dismay at the terrible sight. It is a sign of intense, non-verbal reaction.

• because of all her wounds: עַ֖ל כָּל־מַכּוֹתֶֽיהָ (ʿal kol-makkōtheyhā).

  • עַ֖ל (ʿal): Because of, concerning.
  • כָּל־ (kol-): All. Emphasizes the total accumulation of calamities.
  • מַכּוֹתֶֽיהָ (makkōtheyhā): Wounds, blows, plagues, defeats. (plural of מַכָּה makka). Refers to the severe and numerous destructive acts and resultant injuries/damages inflicted upon Babylon. This is not a single blow, but a series of devastating judgments.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Because of the LORD's wrath it shall not be inhabited": This opening phrase firmly grounds the subsequent judgment in divine initiative and justice. God's character is the source of this desolation.
  • "but it shall be wholly desolate": This emphasizes the permanence and completeness of the destruction, ruling out any partial recovery or future repopulation, unlike many cities conquered in war.
  • "everyone who goes by Babylon will be appalled and hiss": This highlights the visibility and severity of the judgment. It's a public spectacle of ruin, eliciting an extreme emotional response from even transient observers. This acts as a universal witness to God's power and justice.
  • "because of all her wounds": This points to the multiple layers and depth of suffering and damage. It implies that Babylon's judgment is not simple but a complex and severe set of consequences.

Jeremiah 50 13 Bonus section

The specific choice of יִשֹּׁ֖ם (yiššōm - be appalled) and וְיִשְׁרֹ֑ק (wəyishrōq - hiss) is notable. These reactions often appear in descriptions of severe judgment (e.g., Job 27:23, Lam 2:15, Ezek 27:36). They indicate not just shock but a recognition of divine intervention. The complete devastation of a once-mighty city like Babylon would be so unthinkable from a human perspective that the only fitting response would be speechless horror and a mournful "hiss" or gasp of dread. This foreshadows a pattern where God's judgment makes examples of powerful entities, reminding humanity that no earthly power can withstand Him indefinitely. The prophecy's historical fulfillment—with Babylon's gradual decline and uninhabited state after Persian conquest—lends credence to the broader biblical themes of God's perfect justice and the eventual triumph of His will over all opposition. This also ties into the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation, where the spiritual "Babylon" receives a similar, ultimate judgment.

Jeremiah 50 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 50:13 succinctly captures the essence of divine retribution against the powerful empire of Babylon. This verse is a testament to God's sovereign control over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. The explicit declaration that Babylon's desolation stems from "the LORD's wrath" removes any doubt about the cause; this is not random calamity but a direct, punitive act of the Creator. The absolute language of "it shall not be inhabited" and "wholly desolate" underlines the permanence of this judgment, contrasting sharply with the common practice of conquered cities eventually being rebuilt and repopulated. Babylon, a symbol of human pride and idolatry, would be reduced to an everlasting ruin, an example of what happens when a nation exalts itself against the Living God and oppresses His people. The reaction of passersby—appalled and hissing—underscores the unprecedented nature of this destruction, transforming the once glorious "golden city" into an object of horror and lament, serving as a powerful warning throughout history. This prophecy anticipates both the historical fall of Babylon and serves as an archetype for God's ultimate judgment on all forms of oppressive human power.