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

This verse describes the mobilization of a powerful force from the north against Babylon. It signifies the execution of divine judgment against a wicked nation, with a sense of inevitability and dread associated with its coming. The imagery suggests a coordinated and overwhelming advance.

Jeremiah 50 9 Context

Jeremiah 50 is the beginning of a significant prophecy against Babylon, the empire that conquered Judah and exiled its people. This chapter and the following one (Jeremiah 51) contain extensive prophecies of judgment against Babylon. The backdrop is the exilic period of the Israelites, who are suffering under Babylonian oppression. This verse is part of a larger oracle detailing the instrument of God's wrath that will bring down Babylon. The nation rising from the north is understood to be a coalition of Medes and Persians, fulfilling God's plan to punish the oppressor and eventually allow His people to return.

Jeremiah 50 9 Word Analysis

• And (וְ — ve): A common conjunctive particle, connecting clauses or ideas. Here, it links the description of the rising force.
• make ready (יָכִ֧ינוּ — yakînu): From the root kûn, meaning to prepare, set up, make firm, or equip. It implies meticulous preparation for battle. This emphasizes the organized and deliberate nature of the impending judgment.
• against (עַל — ‘al): A preposition with various meanings, including "upon," "against," or "concerning." Here it signifies opposition and the target of the action.
• her (לָהּ — lâ): Refers back to Babylon, the object of the divine judgment.
• draw (שְׁלֵפִ֣ים — shəla pîm): This term, likely from a root related to drawing or pulling out (similar to shâlaph meaning "to draw out a sword"), could describe drawn weapons, or perhaps the act of drawing out or mustering soldiers. It carries the connotation of being prepared for combat. Some scholars suggest it might refer to archers.
• bow (קֶ֧֚שֶׁת — qeḇeṯ): The weapon itself, the bow, a primary tool for ranged warfare, symbolizing power and the ability to strike from a distance.
• and (וְ — ve): Connective particle.
• every (כָּל־ — kól): All, every. Indicating completeness and comprehensiveness.
• arrow (חִצָּ֣ה — ḥiṣṣâ): A projectile for the bow. The mention of "every arrow" signifies the thoroughness of the attack, leaving no means of destruction unused.

Grouped Analysis:The phrase "make ready against her draw bow and every arrow" paints a vivid picture of military readiness. "Make ready" suggests proactive preparation, not merely reactive defense. "Draw bow and every arrow" emphasizes the offensive capacity and the comprehensive nature of the attack – they are bringing their full arsenal, ensuring that every weapon, every projectile is prepared for deployment against Babylon. This highlights the thoroughness and intensity of the judgment being orchestrated by God.

Jeremiah 50 9 Bonus Section

The imagery of a nation or force "from the north" appears multiple times in prophetic literature concerning judgment (e.g., Jeremiah 1:14; 4:6; 6:22). This north-south orientation is significant in ancient Near Eastern cosmology and warfare, often representing the direction from which divine wrath or conquering armies would emerge. The preparedness ("make ready," "draw bow and every arrow") reflects a military strategy of overwhelming offensive power, consistent with how the Medes and Persians, who eventually conquered Babylon in 539 BCE, operated. This verse serves as a precursor to the detailed account of Babylon's fall in Jeremiah 51, emphasizing God's sovereign control over history and His use of human instruments, even gentile nations, to accomplish His purposes against wickedness.

Jeremiah 50 9 Commentary

God is orchestrating the downfall of Babylon. A powerful coalition, depicted as coming from the north, is being equipped and readied for this task. The description uses military terminology ("make ready," "draw bow," "every arrow") to convey the absolute and decisive nature of Babylon's impending judgment. This is not a random invasion but a divinely appointed event, where the instruments of war are thoroughly prepared. The enemies of Babylon are described as fully armed and ready to execute God's wrath. This foreshadows the military conquest that will bring an end to Babylon's oppressive rule. The meticulous preparation signifies that nothing will be left to chance; Babylon's end is certain and will be executed with great force.