Jeremiah 50:21 kjv
Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
Jeremiah 50:21 nkjv
"Go up against the land of Merathaim, against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Waste and utterly destroy them," says the LORD, "And do according to all that I have commanded you.
Jeremiah 50:21 niv
"Attack the land of Merathaim and those who live in Pekod. Pursue, kill and completely destroy them," declares the LORD. "Do everything I have commanded you.
Jeremiah 50:21 esv
"Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill, and devote them to destruction, declares the LORD, and do all that I have commanded you.
Jeremiah 50:21 nlt
"Go up, my warriors, against the land of Merathaim
and against the people of Pekod.
Pursue, kill, and completely destroy them,
as I have commanded you," says the LORD.
Jeremiah 50 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 50:21 | Against the land of Merathaim, against the inhabitants of Pekod | Judgment upon nations, divine retribution |
| Isaiah 13:3 | I have commanded my consecrated ones; I have called my warriors | God’s instruments of judgment |
| Jeremiah 51:2 | I will winnow Babylon and fan her with the fan of destruction | Metaphor of judgment as winnowing |
| Revelation 18:2 | “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! | Fulfillment of judgment against Babylon |
| Psalm 7:11-13 | God is a righteous judge, and God is indignant every day. | God's justice and anger |
| Jeremiah 25:26 | And all the kings of Sheshach, and all the kings of Elam | Universal scope of God's judgment |
| Nahum 3:4 | Because of the many prostitutions of the harlot… | Babylon as a harlot, metaphor for sin |
| Isaiah 47:1 | “Come down and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon | Humiliation of Babylon |
| Jeremiah 51:17 | Every goldsmith is put to shame… | Shame of idols and their makers |
| Psalm 96:5 | For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. | Contrast between true God and idols |
| Jeremiah 10:11 | Thus you shall say to them: “The gods who have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.” | Rejection of false gods |
| Ezekiel 6:4 | Your altars shall be laid waste, and your sun-images broken… | Destruction of pagan worship |
| Leviticus 26:1 | You shall not make idols for yourselves… | Prohibition against idolatry |
| Deuteronomy 7:25 | Their carved images you shall burn… | Instruction to destroy idols |
| Jeremiah 51:47 | Therefore behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will stir up against Babylon a destroyer… | God orchestrates destruction |
| Psalm 135:15-18 | The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands… | Vanity of idols |
| Jeremiah 50:11 | Because you rejoiced and shouted in your destruction, my inheritance… | Babylon's exultation over Jerusalem |
| Jeremiah 50:29 | Summon archers against Babylon, all who draw the bow! | Military might used against Babylon |
| Isaiah 41:24 | Behold, you are nothing and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you. | Nullity of idols and their creators |
| Ezekiel 28:2 | “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god… | Pride and identification with divinity |
| Revelation 17:5 | and on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of harlots and of the earth’s abominations.” | Babylon as symbol of worldly rebellion |
Jeremiah 50 verses
Jeremiah 50 21 Meaning
This verse signifies God's judgment upon the Babylonians, specifically mentioning their punishment and the judgment upon their gods. It's a declaration of divine retribution for their actions and idolatry.
Jeremiah 50 21 Context
Jeremiah 50 prophesies the downfall of Babylon, which had brutally conquered and exiled Judah. This chapter presents a vivid picture of God's judgment on the oppressive empire. The Babylonians are described as instruments of God’s wrath in earlier prophecies, but now, their own wickedness incurs divine retribution. The verse specifically names symbolic regions or peoples within or associated with Babylon (Merathaim, Pekod) to highlight the comprehensive nature of God’s judgment, extending even to those involved in administering their oppressive rule. This judgment is also directed against the gods of Babylon, underscoring the supremacy of Yahweh over all other deities.
Jeremiah 50 21 Word Analysis
- "Against" (Hebrew:
al) - A preposition indicating opposition, confrontation, or directed action, setting the tone for judgment. - "the land" (Hebrew:
erets) - Refers to territory, ground, or country, here denoting the geographical location of Babylon. - "of Merathaim" (Hebrew:
Merathayim) - A name likely symbolic or indicative of "bitternesses" or "rebellions," pointing to a region associated with oppressive rule or defiance against God. - "against" (Hebrew:
al) - Again emphasizes opposition and judgment. - "the inhabitants" (Hebrew:
yosheb-yow) - Denotes the dwellers or residents, signifying the people living in that land. - "of Pekod" (Hebrew:
Peqod) - Likely a proper name of a region or people, perhaps related to the Akkadian word "Paqadu" meaning "to visit" or "to punish," emphasizing the incoming visitation of judgment.
Group Analysis:
- "land of Merathaim, … inhabitants of Pekod": This phrase points to specific areas or groups associated with Babylonian power and potentially their actions. The symbolic nature of these names suggests that God’s judgment targets the very core and instruments of Babylon's oppressive system. The chosen names themselves reinforce the theme of suffering and punitive action that Babylon will face.
Jeremiah 50 21 Bonus Section
The specific names "Merathaim" and "Pekod" are not found elsewhere in such clear geographical identification within the Bible, leading many scholars to interpret them symbolically rather than as precise locations. "Merathaim" may relate to the Hebrew word for bitterness, and "Pekod" could suggest visitation or punishment, both themes strongly represented in the prophecy of Babylon's fall. This metaphorical language emphasizes the quality of the place and its people as targets for God's justified anger. The parallel in the prophecy against Egypt in Jeremiah 46:25 also uses symbolic language.
Jeremiah 50 21 Commentary
This verse acts as a pronouncement of doom upon Babylon. The mention of "Merathaim" and "Pekod" underscores that God's judgment is not arbitrary but specific, targeting those who are intrinsically linked with bitterness and punitive measures. It’s a clear indication that God sees and will address the injustices perpetrated by the empire. The judgment is against the land itself and the people who reside there, signifying a comprehensive consequence for their role in Babylon's ungodliness and cruelty. The historical context shows Babylon's reign of terror, and this prophecy assures Judah that retribution will come.