Jeremiah 50 27

Jeremiah 50:27 kjv

Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

Jeremiah 50:27 nkjv

Slay all her bulls, Let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them! For their day has come, the time of their punishment.

Jeremiah 50:27 niv

Kill all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter! Woe to them! For their day has come, the time for them to be punished.

Jeremiah 50:27 esv

Kill all her bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, for their day has come, the time of their punishment.

Jeremiah 50:27 nlt

Destroy even her young bulls ?
it will be terrible for them, too!
Slaughter them all!
For Babylon's day of reckoning has come.

Jeremiah 50 verses

Jeremiah 50 27 Meaning

This verse describes the consequence of defying God for His chosen people, Judah. It emphasizes their total destruction and the subsequent divine punishment meted out by those they have provoked. The nation of Babylon, instruments of God's judgment, will enact this punishment.

Jeremiah 50 27 Context

Jeremiah 50 is the first of two lengthy chapters (50-51) prophesying the judgment of Babylon. The preceding chapters detail Judah's sin and impending punishment, but these chapters shift focus to an external enemy who will also face divine retribution. Babylon, the dominant superpower, had devastated Judah, exiling its people and destroying Jerusalem. This verse is part of God's pronouncement against Babylon for its cruelty and arrogance, portraying Babylon as having attacked Judah like an enraged warrior, using deadly "arrows" which symbolize its military might and destructive actions. However, God declares that this same might will be turned against Babylon itself.

Jeremiah 50 27 Word Analysis

• "Strike" (Hebrew: Makhēh):

  • This root implies to strike, smite, beat, or plague.
  • It signifies a forceful and often injurious action, fitting for military conflict.
  • God commands this action, indicating His directive power over earthly forces.

• "her" (referring to Judah):

  • The pronoun personalizes Judah, presenting it as the object of attack and judgment.

• "arrows" (Hebrew: Chitzim):

  • Metaphorically represents weapons, particularly missiles, signifying military might and instruments of destruction.
  • In ancient warfare, arrows were a primary offensive weapon, often used in volleys to overwhelm the enemy.
  • The phrase "her arrows have flown" indicates Judah's active participation in its own downfall, likely through its sins which provoked divine and human wrath.

• "from":

  • Shows the origin of the judgment, flowing from within Judah's own sphere of influence or actions.

• "your" (referring to Babylon):

  • Directly addresses Babylon, the perpetrator of Judah's suffering.

• "battle" (Hebrew: Milchamah):

  • A direct term for war, conflict, and combat.
  • Emphasizes the widespread destruction and confrontation Babylon brought.

• "full" (Hebrew: Mala'):

  • Indicates completeness or abundance.
  • Suggests that Babylon's destruction will be thorough and without reservation.

• "in":

  • Locational preposition.

• "you":

  • Again, directly addressing Babylon.

• "there":

  • Refers to Babylon's land or existence.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "Strike her! Her arrows have flown... full in you": This phrase poetically captures the reciprocal nature of divine justice. Judah's own actions ("arrows") brought judgment upon it, and now Babylon, having been God's instrument against Judah, will itself be subjected to a similar, overwhelming destructive force. The imagery of "arrows flown" suggests swiftness and completeness of retribution against Judah, which will be mirrored against Babylon.

Jeremiah 50 27 Bonus Section

The concept of a "hammer" and "weapon of war" is further elaborated in Jeremiah 51:20, where God explicitly calls Babylon "my hammer and weapon of war." This connection underscores Babylon's instrumental role in executing God's judgment against other nations. However, just as a hammer can be blunted or broken after its work is done, or even turned against its wielder, so too would Babylon eventually face its own demise for its abuses of power and rebellion against God's ultimate purposes. The destruction of Babylon serves as a testament to God's sovereignty over all nations and His commitment to ultimately punish evil and injustice.

Jeremiah 50 27 Commentary

This verse highlights a fundamental biblical principle: what one sows, one reaps (Galatians 6:7). Judah, through its sin and idolatry, had provoked God. In response, God employed Babylon as an instrument of His judgment, using its military might ("arrows") to conquer and chastify Judah. However, God's justice is absolute. Babylon's role as an instrument of judgment did not exempt it from its own accountability. Its pride and cruelty in dealing with nations, particularly Judah, would ultimately lead to its own severe downfall. The "arrows" that were fired against Judah were, in effect, precursors to the devastating "battle" that would consume Babylon. God's wrath is righteous and will not be satisfied until full justice is served, both for the oppressed and against the oppressor.