Jeremiah 50:44 kjv
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Jeremiah 50:44 nkjv
"Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan Against the dwelling place of the strong; But I will make them suddenly run away from her. And who is a chosen man that I may appoint over her? For who is like Me? Who will arraign Me? And who is that shepherd Who will withstand Me?"
Jeremiah 50:44 niv
Like a lion coming up from Jordan's thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Babylon from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?"
Jeremiah 50:44 esv
"Behold, like a lion coming up from the thicket of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make them run away from her, and I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me?
Jeremiah 50:44 nlt
"I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan,
leaping on the sheep in the pasture.
I will chase Babylon from its land,
and I will appoint the leader of my choice.
For who is like me, and who can challenge me?
What ruler can oppose my will?"
Jeremiah 50 44 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 50:44 | Behold, a lion shall come up from the jungle, like from the plains of Jordan, to the thorny grounds; I will surely drive her away from there, and let whosoever is chosen appoint over her: for who is like me? who will summon me? who will stand before my face? | Judgment on Babylon, Inescapability of God's judgment, God's sovereignty |
| Jeremiah 51:36 | Therefore thus says the Lord; Behold, I will contend for you, and will execute vengeance for you; and I will dry up her sea, and make her fountain dry. | Divine Vindication, Judgment on enemies |
| Isaiah 10:13 | For he says, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am understanding; I removed the boundaries of peoples and plundered their treasures; I have put down inhabitants like a bull. | Pride and divine judgment, Human pride |
| Isaiah 40:26 | Lift up your eyes on high and see: who has created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power not one is missing. | God's power and creation, God's omniscience |
| Psalm 139:7-12 | Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,” and “Light shall be my surrounding,” even the darkness is not too dark for you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. | God's omnipresence, Inescapability of God's presence |
| Revelation 18:1-2 | After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, and a prison for every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird. | Fall of Babylon, Divine judgment |
| Revelation 18:4-5 | Then I heard another voice from heaven say, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues, for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. | Warning to God's people, Judgment on sin |
| Proverbs 28:13 | Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. | Confession and mercy, Sin and prosperity |
| Hosea 5:1-2 | Hear this, O priests! Attend, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king, for the judgment is upon you. You have been a snare at Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. And they have made deep their rebellions. | Judgment on Israel, Sin and rebellion |
| Amos 5:13 | Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time. | Prudence in evil times, Silence in adversity |
| Zephaniah 1:12 | At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are settled on their dregs, those who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill.’ | Judgment on complacency, God's awareness |
| Jeremiah 1:12 | Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” | God's faithfulness, God's Word |
| Ezekiel 21:23 | For they have cast lots for my prophecies. This was the king of Babylon’s doing when he sat at the crossroads, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. He shook his arrows, he consulted his images, he looked at the liver. | Divination, Idolatry vs. God's will |
| Jeremiah 17:9 | The heart is more deceitful than all else, and is desperately sick; who can know it? | Human deceitfulness, Depravity of the heart |
| Isaiah 14:16 | Those who see you will gaze at you and consider you, saying, ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, | Fall of proud leaders, Divine retribution |
| Daniel 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; | God's sovereignty, Divine governance |
| Jeremiah 51:63 | And when you finish reading this scroll, you shall tie a stone to it and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates. | Symbolic act of judgment, Certainty of judgment |
| Jeremiah 23:29 | “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? | Power of God's Word, Word as judgment |
| 1 Corinthians 4:5 | Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the hearts. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. | Judgment day, Disclosure of hidden things |
| 1 John 1:7 | But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. | Walking in the light, Cleansing from sin |
| Jeremiah 17:10 | I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give to each according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” | God's omniscience, Reward according to deeds |
Jeremiah 50 verses
Jeremiah 50 44 Meaning
The verse describes a divine overseer who will uncover and judge anyone who seeks to hide their wicked deeds within Babylon, indicating that God's judgment will be inescapable for those who practice evil in that city.
Jeremiah 50 44 Context
Jeremiah chapter 50 prophesies the fall of Babylon. The entire chapter is a declaration of judgment against this great empire. Babylon, as a dominant force that had oppressed God's people, is portrayed as being held accountable for its actions. This specific verse, Jeremiah 50:44, vividly depicts the inevitability of God's judgment upon Babylon, highlighting His power and sovereignty in bringing destruction and exacting justice. The imagery of the lion rising from the Jordan signifies a swift and powerful force, symbolizing the divine instrument of judgment against Babylon.
Jeremiah 50 44 Word Analysis
- "Behold" (HINNEH): An interjection calling for attention; drawing the reader's focus to the following declaration, emphasizing its importance and imminent reality.
- "a lion" (LAYISH): Often refers to a young or fierce lion, symbolizing power, predatory nature, and divine wrath or judgment. The comparison evokes a formidable and relentless force.
- "shall come up" (ALAH): Means to ascend, go up, or emerge. Here, it signifies an active, encroaching, and unstoppable movement towards Babylon.
- "from the jungle" (MIYMI'YAR): Though "jungle" is an approximation, the Hebrew suggests a wild, untamed, perhaps overgrown or desolate place, contrasting with the perceived might of Babylon and implying a source of natural, overwhelming force. Scholars debate the precise location or meaning; some suggest a remote, wild region or thicket.
- "from the plains of Jordan" (MI'IMIKKAQ YARDEN): This phrase evokes a specific geographical area known for its fertile, yet potentially wild and perilous, banks of the Jordan River. It adds a layer of specific earthly origin to the divine force. The Jordan River was historically significant for Israel's journey into the Promised Land.
- "to the thorny grounds" (MI YISHAR LIAHT) or variations in translation suggesting "desolate pasture" or "stony heights": Implies the place where the judgment will fall, suggesting a desolate or perhaps difficult and barren place. It sets the stage for a harsh confrontation.
- "I will surely drive her away from there" (AL'AQEYMAH MI'SHAM HA') or "I will surely chase her from there": Expresses a definitive and complete removal or scattering. "Drive away" (NAASAH) suggests an aggressive expulsion. The antecedent of "her" is likely Babylon, personified as a feminine entity.
- "and let whosoever is chosen appoint over her" (VEYAHI' HAGAH HAROSH ALAYH) or "and let any appointed one determine over her": This phrase is syntactically complex and has varied interpretations. It implies that God will appoint a ruler or authority to preside over Babylon's destruction or aftermath, underscoring God's ultimate control in orchestrating the judgment. It could mean anyone designated by God.
- "for who is like me?" (KY MIY CHAMO NIY): A rhetorical question asserting God's uniqueness, absolute power, and sovereignty, unmatched by any earthly power or deity.
- "who will summon me?" (MIN HU HOHEZ LIZMNIY) or "who will command me?": Reinforces God's supreme authority. No one has the right or power to challenge or command Him.
- "who will stand before my face?" (U'MI HOCH YA'UMD MIFINAY) or "who will face me?": A further affirmation of God's omnipotence and unassailability. No adversary can confront God and prevail.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Behold, a lion shall come up from the jungle, like from the plains of Jordan, to the thorny grounds;": This is a powerful metaphorical statement painting a vivid picture of a divinely orchestrated onslaught against Babylon. The "lion" is a common biblical symbol of strength and kingship (Gen 49:9), here employed to represent the destructive power God will unleash. The "jungle" and "plains of Jordan" and "thorny grounds" likely indicate various origins of the conquering forces or the complete dominion God exercises over all lands, from fertile to barren.
- "I will surely drive her away from there, and let whosoever is chosen appoint over her:": This clause signifies God's complete victory and control. Babylon will be utterly displaced, and a new order, ordained by God, will be established. "Whosoever is chosen" points to God's sovereign selection of agents to execute His purposes, demonstrating His control over even the instruments of judgment.
- "for who is like me? who will summon me? who will stand before my face?": This trifold rhetorical question powerfully asserts God's absolute supremacy. It is a declaration of divine uniqueness and unchallengeable authority. No power, earthly or spiritual, can match God's might or dare to oppose His will.
Jeremiah 50 44 Bonus Section
The verse speaks to the concept of "divine warrior" theology found throughout the Old Testament, where God is depicted as actively engaging in battle against His enemies on behalf of His people. The lion imagery is also echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as Genesis 49:9 where Judah is compared to a lion, pointing forward to kingship and strength. The concluding rhetorical questions are characteristic of prophetic declarations, asserting God's incomparability and establishing His authority as the supreme ruler of history.
Jeremiah 50 44 Commentary
Jeremiah 50:44 serves as a strong pronouncement of judgment against Babylon, emphasizing God's ultimate authority and the inevitability of His justice. The imagery of a fierce lion emerging from wild places to conquer a place of presumed security highlights that God can raise up unlikely forces to execute His will. This verse is a reminder that no stronghold, no matter how powerful or cunning, can escape divine reckoning. Those who plot iniquity and believe they are hidden from God will ultimately be exposed and judged. The rhetorical questions at the end powerfully affirm God's unmatched sovereignty and power, encouraging believers to trust in His ultimate control even amidst the devastation caused by evil powers.
Practical usage: When facing overwhelming challenges or powerful adversaries who seem to prosper in wickedness, one can recall this verse to be reminded that God is sovereign and has a plan. It fosters patience and endurance, knowing that all will ultimately be held accountable, and God will establish His righteousness.