Jeremiah 51 16

Jeremiah 51:16 kjv

When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Jeremiah 51:16 nkjv

When He utters His voice? There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: "He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries."

Jeremiah 51:16 niv

When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 51:16 esv

When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 51:16 nlt

When he speaks in the thunder,
the heavens roar with rain.
He causes the clouds to rise over the earth.
He sends the lightning with the rain
and releases the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 16 Meaning

This verse describes God's omnipotence and creative power, highlighting His unique ability to distinguish and use things purposefully. It asserts that every creation, no matter how seemingly insignificant or strange, has been designed by God with a specific role.

Jeremiah 51 16 Context

Jeremiah 51:16 is part of a larger prophetic oracle against Babylon, a powerful empire that had devastated Judah and deported its people. The prophet Jeremiah is detailing God's judgment upon Babylon for its pride, idolatry, and cruelty. In this specific verse, God's power is contrasted with the impotence of Babylon's gods and idols. The surrounding verses (Jeremiah 51:15-18) emphasize that the true God is the Creator and sovereign ruler of all, while the gods of the nations are powerless and fraudulent.

Jeremiah 51 16 Word Analysis

• "When he utters his voice," (Hebrew: 'im yitten qolo) - Implies a powerful, authoritative command; not a mere sound but a volitional act of God. Connects to God's word creating (Gen 1).

• "there is a tumult of waters in the heavens," (Hebrew: hum meyim baš-šāmayim) - Refers to the great reservoirs of water held in the heavens, perhaps referencing the "waters above the firmament" (Gen 1:7). "Tumult" (hum) suggests a vast, active, and powerful presence, indicating God's control over the celestial elements.

• "he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth." (Hebrew: wěhē'allâ meʻep̱tēh-’ereṣ ’ęd) - "Mist" or "vapor" (ʻęd) is linked to dew, rain, and fog, signifying God's power over the atmospheric cycle, originating even from the "ends of the earth," emphasizing His omnipresence and dominion over all geography.

• Groups of Words Analysis:

  • "When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens": This phrase establishes God's active and sovereign control over natural phenomena. It suggests that divine speech is not merely communication but also has immediate, tangible effects on creation, bringing order and power (like storm or rain). This mirrors the creation account in Genesis where God's spoken word brought things into being.
  • "he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth": This clause further illustrates God's power as the ultimate source of weather and moisture. "Ends of the earth" denotes the farthest reaches, reinforcing that no part of creation is outside God's jurisdiction or ability to influence. It speaks to the subtle yet vital processes of the water cycle, showing God's involvement in the grandest and most minute details.

Jeremiah 51 16 Bonus Section

The imagery of God's voice producing a "tumult of waters in the heavens" can be seen as foreshadowing New Testament accounts where Jesus also calms the storm with His voice (Mark 4:39), demonstrating His divine authority over the elements, echoing the power of the Creator God. The understanding of God's control over atmospheric processes like mist and rain also aligns with teachings on prayer for such provisions, as seen in the concept of God opening the "storehouses" of heaven for rain (Deut 28:12). This verse serves as a foundational theological statement, reminding believers of God's supreme authority and the vanity of trusting in anything He has not created or commanded.

Jeremiah 51 16 Commentary

This verse is a profound statement about God's sovereignty and creative power, directly challenging the polytheistic worldview of the Babylonians. While the nations worship manufactured idols that can neither speak nor act, the God of Israel is portrayed as the one who orchestrates the very forces of nature—the heavens, the waters, the clouds, and the atmospheric phenomena like mist. He speaks, and the vastness of heaven responds with a dynamic display of His power. He commands, and moisture ascends from the remotest parts of the earth. This is not a distant, uninvolved deity, but an immanent and active Lord who sustains His creation and wields it according to His will. It highlights that all these phenomena, which pagan religions might ascribe to various deities, are actually under the singular command of the God of Israel. His power is not limited by space or scale, extending from the grand heavens to the smallest vapor rising from the earth.