Jeremiah 50 9

Jeremiah 50:9 kjv

For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.

Jeremiah 50:9 nkjv

For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon An assembly of great nations from the north country, And they shall array themselves against her; From there she shall be captured. Their arrows shall be like those of an expert warrior; None shall return in vain.

Jeremiah 50:9 niv

For I will stir up and bring against Babylon an alliance of great nations from the land of the north. They will take up their positions against her, and from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.

Jeremiah 50:9 esv

For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a gathering of great nations, from the north country. And they shall array themselves against her. From there she shall be taken. Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed.

Jeremiah 50:9 nlt

For I am raising up an army
of great nations from the north.
They will join forces to attack Babylon,
and she will be captured.
The enemies' arrows will go straight to the mark;
they will not miss!

Jeremiah 50 verses

Jeremiah 50 9 meaning

Jeremiah 50:9 prophesies the military invasion and capture of Babylon by a formidable coalition of nations from the north. The verse describes these nations as a large, organized assembly, specifically chosen and empowered by God to attack Babylon. Their attack will be precise and utterly devastating, leading to Babylon's inevitable downfall, from which it will not recover.

Jeremiah 50 9 Context

Jeremiah 50 is a specific and extensive oracle concerning the judgment against Babylon, which oppressed Judah and destroyed Jerusalem. While chapters 46-49 addressed judgment against surrounding nations, chapters 50-51 focus solely on Babylon, signaling the pinnacle of God's vengeance against the instrument He used for His people's discipline, which then overstepped its bounds through arrogance. Verse 9 specifically details how Babylon's downfall will occur – not through internal revolt but by an external military coalition, emphasizing divine orchestration. Historically, this refers to the conquest of Babylon by Cyrus the Great, leader of the Medo-Persian empire, which approached from regions north of Babylon. The prophecy serves to reassure the exiled Judeans that God had not forgotten them and that their oppressor would receive its just desserts, highlighting God's sovereignty over all nations.

Jeremiah 50 9 Word analysis

• For (כִּ֣י - ki): This conjunction introduces a reason or explanation, linking the preceding statements about Babylon's fall to the method of its demise.

• behold (הִנְנִ֧י - hin’nî): An exclamation signaling attention, emphasizing the certainty and immediacy of what follows, often indicating a divine declaration.

• I will raise up (מֵעִ֛יר - mêʿîr): The root word is עוּר ('ur), meaning to arouse, awaken, or stir up. It explicitly attributes the mobilization of nations to God's direct initiative, showing His sovereignty.

• and bring (וְהַעֲלֵיתִ֥י - vĕhaʿălêṯî): A Hiphil causative verb from עָלָה ('alah), meaning "to go up" or "ascend." Here, it's causative: "I will cause to come up" or "bring up."

• against Babylon (עַל־בָּבֶ֖ל - ‘al-bāḇel): Clearly identifies the target of divine judgment.

• an assembly (קָהָ֥ל - qāhāl): Refers to a gathering, congregation, or assembly, implying an organized and united multitude.

• of great nations (גּוֹיִ֖ם רַבִּ֑ים - goyīm rabbīm): "Nations" (goyim) can refer to non-Israelite peoples or political entities; "great" (rabbim) signifies their large number and possibly power, making them formidable.

• from the north country (מֵאֶ֥רֶץ צָפֽוֹן - mê’eretz tzāfon): "North" (tzafon) is a frequent biblical designation for the direction from which military threats emerged against Israel (Jer 1:14); here, it designates the origin of Babylon's destroyers (historically Medes and Persians).

• and they shall array themselves (וְעָֽרְכ֥וּ לָהּ - vĕʿārḵû lāh): The root עָרַךְ ('arakh) means to arrange, set in order, or draw up a battle line. It portrays the enemy's meticulous military organization for attack.

• against her (לָהּ - lāh): The preposition 'to' or 'for' with a pronominal suffix; here meaning 'against her,' reinforcing the opposition.

• From there she shall be taken (מִשָּׁ֖ם תִּלָּכֵ֑ד - mišām tillāḵêḏ): "From there" (mishām) points back to the point of attack or position they assume. "Taken" (לָכַד - lakad) in the Niphal (passive) form, meaning "she shall be captured/taken." It signifies capture and defeat.

• Their arrows are like those of a mighty warrior (חִצּ֥וֹ כְּגִבּ֛וֹר - chitzo kĕgibôr): "Arrows" (chitsso) representing weapons, here specifically missile weapons. "Mighty warrior" (gibôr) indicates strength and effectiveness.

• who skillfully slays (מַשְׂכִּיל - maskîl): From the root שָׂכַל (sākhal), meaning "to be discerning, understanding, prudent," often referring to skillful execution or success. Here, it implies precise, unerring aim and devastating efficacy of their attacks.

• none shall return in vain (לֹא־יָשׁ֖וּב רֵיקָֽם - lō'-yāshûḇ rêqām): "Not return" (lo'-yāshûḇ) from the root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return." "In vain" (rêqām) means empty, without result, or futile. This phrase emphasizes the absolute certainty of the arrows hitting their mark and causing damage; every shot will count.

• "I will raise up... an assembly of great nations from the north country": This entire phrase highlights God's sovereignty over national destinies. He is the prime mover, using a large, multi-national force, geographically situated to invade Babylon effectively. This demonstrates divine orchestrations in global affairs.

• "and they shall array themselves against her. From there she shall be taken": This group of words emphasizes the strategic and organized nature of the assault. The enemy is not a haphazard mob but a disciplined army, and the outcome—Babylon's capture—is certain due to their well-executed attack, guided by divine purpose.

• "Their arrows are like those of a mighty warrior who skillfully slays; none shall return in vain": This powerful simile describes the deadly accuracy and effectiveness of the invading forces' weaponry. The imagery conveys a sense of total and precise destruction, suggesting that Babylon has no hope of defending against such a targeted and efficient assault. Each arrow representing a decisive blow.

Jeremiah 50 9 Bonus section

The concept of "the north" as the origin of divine judgment is a recurring motif in Jeremiah (e.g., Jer 1:13-15; 4:6; 6:1; 10:22), but it is primarily used in reference to Israel's invaders (Babylonians/Chaldeans). Here, the prophet turns the tables, applying the same threatening geographic identifier to Babylon's conquerors. This reversal underlines God's ultimate control over even the "scourge from the north," using it initially to punish His people, and then using other "northern" powers to punish the scourging nation itself. This also stands as a polemic against Babylonian astrologers and their supposed understanding of destiny; God's plans, not celestial omens, determined Babylon's fate. The "skillfully slays" aspect implies not merely a lucky hit, but a determined and proficient action, much like an expert marksman who aims with perfect accuracy. This signifies that the invasion is not haphazard but a meticulously executed plan of divine judgment.

Jeremiah 50 9 Commentary

Jeremiah 50:9 powerfully describes God's direct intervention in world affairs to orchestrate the downfall of Babylon. This verse confirms divine judgment through military means, emphasizing God as the unseen commander of human history. The "assembly of great nations from the north" refers to the Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great, highlighting God's capacity to use unlikely instruments—even foreign powers—to fulfill His promises. The description of the invaders' arrows as from "a mighty warrior who skillfully slays" speaks to the precision and effectiveness of this divinely appointed army, assuring that Babylon's defeat will be comprehensive and irreversible. Every blow struck against Babylon will fulfill God's decreed purpose. It underscores the theme of divine justice for national pride and the persecution of God's people.