Jeremiah 51 20

Jeremiah 51:20 kjv

Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;

Jeremiah 51:20 nkjv

"You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms;

Jeremiah 51:20 niv

"You are my war club, my weapon for battle? with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms,

Jeremiah 51:20 esv

"You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms;

Jeremiah 51:20 nlt

"You are my battle-ax and sword,"
says the LORD.
"With you I will shatter nations
and destroy many kingdoms.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 20 Meaning

This verse declares that Israel is God's precious possession, His battle-axe and weapon of war, used to shatter nations and devastate kingdoms. It highlights Israel's instrumental role in God's judgment against other peoples.

Jeremiah 51 20 Context

Jeremiah 51 continues the prophecy against Babylon. Chapters 50 and 51 provide an extensive oracle of judgment on Babylon, revealing God's plan for its destruction. This particular verse (51:20) comes after a section (51:15-19) that contrasts the Babylonian gods with the true God, the Creator of the earth. It then describes how God will use instruments of His judgment to bring about Babylon's downfall. The preceding verses emphasize the futility of Babylon's idols, contrasting them with the power and sovereignty of the LORD. This verse, therefore, places Israel within the narrative of God's overarching plan for world history, highlighting its divinely appointed role as an agent of judgment against the nations that oppose Him. Historically, Babylon was a major imperial power that oppressed Judah, and this prophecy offers assurance to Jeremiah's audience of God's ultimate justice and deliverance.

Jeremiah 51 20 Word Analysis

• 'atah (אַתָּה) - "You" (masculine singular pronoun).
  • Refers directly to the subject being addressed. In this context, it unequivocally points to Israel.
• 'eggel (אֵגֶל) - "Crushing hammer," "mace," or "battle-axe."
  • A tool used for heavy demolition or in warfare for smashing.
  • Signifies immense destructive power and force.
  • Evokes imagery of decisive, forceful impact.
• keli (כְּלִי) - "Vessel," "implement," "tool," or "weapon."
  • A general term for an object made or used for a specific purpose.
  • Here, paired with "weapons of war," it emphasizes Israel's functional role as an instrument.
• milchamah (מִלְחָמָה) - "War," "battle," "fighting."
  • Highlights the adversarial and conflict-oriented nature of Israel's mission in this context.
• b'-k' (בְּךָ) - "With you" (preposition "bə" - in/with + pronoun "kā" - you).
  • Emphasizes that the action of shattering and destroying will be accomplished through or by means of Israel.
• 'eshbor (אֶשְׁבֹּר) - "I will break," "shatter," "crush." (from shavar - שׁבר)
  • A forceful verb denoting complete destruction and fragmentation.
  • Implies the utter dismantling of nations and their power structures.
• ‘amim (‘ַמִּים) - "Peoples," "nations."
  • Refers to various ethnic groups and kingdoms of the ancient world.
• ‘al-h’amim (‘ַל־עַמִּים) - "Upon nations."
• tishchod (תִּשְׁחֹד) - "You shall destroy," "ruin," "devastate." (from chatham - חתם - here potentially meaning 'to break to pieces', though meaning can vary)
  • The Septuagint and Vulgate suggest readings closer to "destroy." Modern scholarship often links this to roots meaning "to cut down" or "destroy."
  • Implies utter demolition and making null.
• mamlakowth (מַמְלְכֹת) - "Kingdoms," "realms," "dominions."
  • Refers to organized political entities ruled by kings.
• b'-k' (בְּךָ) - "With you."
  • Again emphasizes the instrumentational role of Israel.

Word Group Analysis:

• 'eggel u-k'li milchamah' (אֵגֶל וּכְלִי מִלְחָמָה) - "Battle axe and weapon of war."
  • This powerful metaphorical pairing establishes Israel's identity not merely as a recipient of salvation, but as an active participant in divine judgment.
  • It suggests both specialized (axe) and general (weapon) tools of war, indicating comprehensive capabilities in God's service.
• 'b'-k' 'eshbor 'amim; b'-k' tishchod mamlakowth' (בְּךָ אֶשְׁבֹּר עַמִּים; בְּךָ תִּשְׁחֹד מַמְלְכֹת) - "With you I will shatter nations; with you I will destroy kingdoms."
  • This parallel construction powerfully declares the scope and efficacy of God's judgment executed through His chosen instrument, Israel. The repetition of "b'-k'" (with you) strongly reinforces this concept of Israel being wielded by God.

Jeremiah 51 20 Bonus Section

This verse is particularly striking because it attributes devastating power not to Israel's inherent might, but to its role as an extension of God's will. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of Assyria, asks a similar question: "Shall the axe boast itself against him who wields it?" (Isaiah 10:15). This comparison emphasizes that God is the ultimate wielder of the "axe" and "weapon." Israel, as depicted here, is the instrument through which God executes judgment, akin to how a divine warrior might use weapons. This divine empowerment underscores the idea that God's kingdom and purposes will ultimately prevail, even through human means, however broken they might be. The application to the New Testament church involves wielding spiritual weapons against sin and ungodliness, relying on the Holy Spirit's power.

Jeremiah 51 20 Commentary

This verse reveals a significant aspect of Israel's calling: to be an instrument of God's justice against other nations. It’s crucial to understand this in context. Israel's role as God’s "battle-axe" and "weapon of war" was not to assert its own power or engage in conquest for self-aggrandizement, but to act as God’s chosen agent in executing judgment upon those who actively opposed His divine order and sovereignty. This is consistent with numerous other biblical passages where God uses His people, or even pagan nations, to achieve His purposes in history.

The imagery of a battle-axe and weapons of war highlights the forceful and decisive nature of God’s judgment. When God uses Israel in this manner, it signifies their reliance on His strength, not their own military prowess. It's a divinely appointed task, not a human ambition. This is echoed in the New Testament where believers are called to wield spiritual weapons (2 Cor 10:4-5) and fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12). The power comes from God, empowering His people for His purposes.

Practical implications involve understanding that obedience to God often includes being part of His justice-making process, though today this is primarily spiritual. Believers are called to break down spiritual strongholds through the proclamation of the Gospel, which itself is a power of God (1 Cor 1:18).