Jeremiah 50:17 kjv
Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Jeremiah 50:17 nkjv
"Israel is like scattered sheep; The lions have driven him away. First the king of Assyria devoured him; Now at last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones."
Jeremiah 50:17 niv
"Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon."
Jeremiah 50:17 esv
"Israel is a hunted sheep driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones.
Jeremiah 50:17 nlt
"The Israelites are like sheep
that have been scattered by lions.
First the king of Assyria ate them up.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon cracked their bones."
Jeremiah 50 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 50 | israel shall be restored, babylon will be destroyed. | fulfillment of promise, restoration |
| Jeremiah 51 | complete destruction of Babylon, judgment against oppressor | judgment, consequence |
| Isaiah 13 | destruction of Babylon | divine judgment, historical doom |
| Isaiah 47 | judgment on Babylon, her downfall | pride and fall |
| Psalm 37:35 | the wicked shall be cut off | justice, ultimate fate |
| Psalm 73:3 | rejoicing over enemies' destruction | divine victory |
| Revelation 17 | destruction of "Babylon the Great" | spiritual Babylon's judgment |
| Revelation 18 | Babylon's fall | economic and spiritual destruction |
| John 10:10 | Jesus came to give life more abundantly | contrast to destruction |
| Romans 8:37 | more than conquerors through Christ | ultimate victory over enemies |
| 1 Corinthians 15:55 | death is swallowed up in victory | finality of God's triumph |
| Galatians 3:13 | Christ redeemed us from the curse | deliverance from judgment |
| Exodus 14 | Pharaoh and his army destroyed at Red Sea | historical example of divine power |
| 2 Kings 18 | Assyria's defeat | historical oppressor vanquished |
| 2 Chronicles 20:17 | God fights for Judah | divine intervention |
| Psalm 118:15 | shouts of joy and deliverance in the tents of the righteous | celebrating victory |
| Isaiah 40:1 | comfort for Israel | prelude to restoration |
| Isaiah 41:14 | redemption of Israel by the Lord | God as redeemer |
| Isaiah 49:25 | God's contention with those who contend with Israel | divine protection |
| Nahum 1 | prophecy against Nineveh (another oppressor) | pattern of judgment on nations |
| Zephaniah 2 | judgment on surrounding nations | universal judgment |
Jeremiah 50 verses
Jeremiah 50 17 Meaning
This verse speaks of the fate of Israel's oppressor, Babylon. It declares that the nation of Israel will be restored, while its enemies, specifically symbolic Babylon, will be utterly destroyed and cease to exist. It's a prophecy of liberation and divine judgment.
Jeremiah 50 17 Context
Jeremiah 50-51 prophesies the impending doom of Babylon, the powerful empire that had conquered Jerusalem and exiled its people. This chapter specifically describes the consequences for Babylon, a key oppressor of Israel. The prophecy addresses the suffering of the Israelite flock and promises their eventual return and restoration. The imagery is stark, detailing the complete annihilation of Babylon as a nation and a cultural force. This is framed within God's ultimate sovereignty over history and his covenant faithfulness to Israel.
Jeremiah 50 17 Word Analysis
"Israel": Refers to the descendants of Jacob, the covenant people of God.
"a pasture": Represents Israel's vulnerability and scattering, like sheep without a shepherd, but also their eventual peaceful settlement.
"their pasture": This refers to their homeland, which was devastated and depopulated by Babylonian conquest.
"there is no": Emphasizes the complete absence and desolation.
"shepherd": The leaders who should protect and guide the people are gone or ineffective.
"that possesseth": Denotes ownership and control, highlighting the loss of dominion for Israel.
"them": Refers back to Israel.
"all that devour": All those who harm, exploit, and destroy Israel.
"them": Israel.
"shall bear their iniquity": They will face God's judgment and punishment for their actions against His people.
"evil": Specifically referring to the wickedness committed against Israel.
"against": Indicating the direct opposition and harm caused.
Group of words: "Israel shall be a pasture... their pasture": This depicts Israel as vulnerable and scattered, yet also points to their homeland being lost and untended.
Group of words: "there is no shepherd that possesseth them": This signifies the complete breakdown of leadership and authority over Israel, their vulnerability.
Group of words: "all that devour them shall bear their iniquity, even evil": This is a powerful declaration of divine retribution, stating that every oppressor will be held accountable for the harm inflicted upon Israel.
Jeremiah 50 17 Bonus Section
The prophetic language here reflects a common pattern in the Old Testament where the enemies of Israel, especially dominant world powers like Babylon, are described with terms of destruction and finality. This was to offer hope to the exiles, assuring them that their suffering was not permanent and that God would ultimately vindicate them. The concept of bearing "iniquity" is deeply theological, implying that national sins and actions against God's people carry divine consequences that can lead to national destruction. This is a core tenet of divine judgment throughout the scriptures.
Jeremiah 50 17 Commentary
This verse pronounces the ultimate destruction of Babylon, contrasted with the eventual peaceful settlement of Israel in their own land. It highlights God's direct intervention in history to punish those who oppress His chosen people. The judgment upon "all that devour them" is absolute and complete, indicating a full accounting for every act of cruelty and injustice. This foretells not just a political defeat but a national extinction for Babylon. It underscores the consistent biblical theme of divine justice, where oppressors face inevitable retribution for their deeds against the righteous.