Jeremiah 51 21

Jeremiah 51:21 kjv

And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;

Jeremiah 51:21 nkjv

With you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; With you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider;

Jeremiah 51:21 niv

with you I shatter horse and rider, with you I shatter chariot and driver,

Jeremiah 51:21 esv

with you I break in pieces the horse and his rider; with you I break in pieces the chariot and the charioteer;

Jeremiah 51:21 nlt

With you I will shatter armies ?
destroying the horse and rider,
the chariot and charioteer.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 21 Meaning

This verse is a declaration of God's judgment against Babylon. It uses powerful imagery to describe God's chosen instrument for executing this judgment. God refers to the tool He will use to shatter Babylon as His "hammer" and "weapons of war." This emphasizes God's ultimate sovereignty and control over the nations and historical events, even when He uses human agents.

Jeremiah 51 21 Context

Jeremiah 51 is the concluding prophecy against Babylon, a city that had become a dominant and oppressive power, a major oppressor of God's people. The chapter details the complete destruction and desolation that God ordained for Babylon as a punishment for its sins and cruelty against Judah. This specific verse, Jeremiah 51:21, is part of God's direct address to the instruments of His judgment, likely referring to the Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great, whom He will use to overthrow Babylon. The historical context is the impending fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, a significant event in the ancient Near East.

Jeremiah 51 21 Word analysis

• Jeremiah (רֶמְיָהוּ - Remyahu): "Yahweh has thrown down" or "Yahweh has cast." The prophet's name itself can be seen as a foreshadowing of God's actions of casting down and judging nations.
• says (נְאֻם - ne'um): "utterance" or "declaration." Indicates a direct statement from God.
• the Lord (יהוה - YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His authority and relational nature.
• of hosts (צְבָאֹות - tseva'ot): "armies" or "hosts" (of heaven, or earthly armies). Signifies God's power and His command over all forces, celestial and terrestrial.
• you (אַתָּה - 'attah): Direct address. Refers to the agent God is using to bring judgment.
• are (הֱיֵה - hiyeh): Imperative form of "to be." A forceful declaration of identity and purpose.
• My (מֶנִּי - menni): "from me" or "by me." Ownership and origin of the instruments.
• battle-axe (גַּרְגְּמֹת - 'argemanot): This word is unusual and debated. Some scholars suggest it refers to "maces" or "crushing weapons." Other interpretations suggest it could be related to "crimson" (argaman) due to the blood spilled by such weapons, or possibly even a reference to the physical tools used by scribes or stone cutters for destruction. The core concept conveyed is a weapon of shattering or crushing.
• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• weapons (כְּלֵי - kelay): "vessels" or "implements."
• of war (מִלְחָמָה - milhamah): "war," "battle." Implies instruments designed for conflict.
• For (כִּי - ki): "because," "for," "that." Introduces the reason for the preceding statement.
• with (בְּ - bə): "in," "with," "at." Indicates association or means.
• you (בָּךְ - bakh): Dative case, "in you" or "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God Himself, the active agent.
• will break (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush." A forceful verb indicating complete destruction.
• in pieces (חֵלֶק - cheleq): "a portion," "a part," "fragment." Implies shattering into many pieces.
• nation (גֹּוי - goy): "nation," "people."
• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• with you (בָּךְ - bakh): "in you" or "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• kingdom (מַמְלָכָה - mamlakah): "kingdom," "reign."
• you (וּבְךָ - 'uvkha): "and in you," "and with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• horse (סוּס - sus): "horse." Represents military might and cavalry.
• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• rider (רַכְּבֹו - rakkbō): "its rider." Implies the warrior or the one in control.
• you (בְּךָ - bəkhā): "in you," "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• chariot (רָכֶב - rekheb): "chariot," "horsemen." Represents vehicular strength and swiftness in battle.
• and (וְ - ve): Conjunction.
• driver (וְרַכָּבְתֹּו - wərakkabettoy): "its driver."
• you (בָּךְ - bakh): "in you," "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• male (גֶּבֶר - gever): "man," "strong man." Refers to individual strength and soldiery.
• and (וּבְךָ - 'uvkha): "and in you," "and with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• female (וּבְאִשָּׁה - 'uv'ishah): "and in woman." Potentially alluding to the comprehensive nature of the destruction, affecting every person.
• you (בָּךְ - bakh): "in you," "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• elder (סָב - sav): "old man," "elder." Represents the aged.
• and (וּבְקָחֹו - 'uvqaḥo): "and in his calling" or perhaps a repetition, some textual variants. Could mean "by calling him" or referring to leadership roles. Another understanding could relate to youth. Given the pairing with "young man" that follows, "young" or "youth" might be considered.
• you (בָּךְ - bakh): "in you," "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• young man (בָּחוּר - batur): "chosen," "youth." Refers to the vigorous and young.
• you (בָּךְ - bakh): "in you," "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• maiden (בְּתוּלָה - betulah): "virgin," "young woman."
• you (בְּךָ - bəkhā): "in you," "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• inhabitant (יֹושֵׁב - yosheb): "dweller," "inhabitant."
• of (מִדַּאִּישׁ - middi'aish): Textual variation or difficult phrase. Some emendations suggest "his inhabitant." The idea is about those who dwell within.
• your (וְיושֵׁב - wəyosheb): "and the inhabitant."
• strength (עֻזָּם - uzzam): "their strength."
• you (בְּךָ - bəkhā): "in you," "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• for their merchants (מִמִּמְכְּרֹותֶיךָ - mimimkǝrotaykha): "from your merchandise" or "your traders." Suggests a dismantling of economic power.
• you (בְּךָ - bəkhā): "in you," "with you."
• I (אֲנִי - 'ani): God.
• will shatter (אֶשְּׁבֹּר - 'eshebbor): "I will shatter," "I will crush."
• everyone (כֻּלֹּו - kulō): "all of him." Refers to totality.
• you (אַתָּה - 'attah): Direct address again.
• will shatter (תִּשְׁבֹּר - tishbor): Future tense "you will shatter." This shifts the focus slightly from God doing the shattering through the instrument to the instrument doing the shattering, albeit by God's command and empowerment.
• the most cunning (מְהֻמֶּס - mehumes): Could be related to melting or being smooth/deceptive. Might refer to a skilled artisan, a cunning advisor, or someone of strategic importance. It implies a breaking of specialized skills or trusted counsel.

Jeremiah 51 21 Bonus section

The peculiar term translated as "battle-axe" ('argemanot) in some English versions has caused considerable scholarly discussion. Its exact meaning in classical Hebrew is uncertain. However, the context strongly supports the interpretation of a powerful, crushing, and destructive weapon, likely a mace or a similar blunt instrument used for battering and shattering. The subsequent phrase "weapons of war" reinforces this sense of implements of conflict.

Furthermore, the systematic enumeration of different societal groups ("nation," "kingdom," "horse and rider," "chariot and driver," "male," "female," "elder," "young man," "maiden," "inhabitant of strength," "merchant") is a rhetorical device to emphasize the completeness of the destruction. It conveys that every strata of Babylonian society, its military might, its economic structures, and its people from all walks of life, will be utterly broken. The repeated action of God shattering, not just the destruction itself, highlights the decisiveness and overwhelming power involved.

Jeremiah 51 21 Commentary

Jeremiah 51:21 powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over nations and warfare. He is not passively watching events unfold; He actively directs them. Babylon, though mighty and proud, is described as God's "battle-axe" and "weapons of war." This doesn't imply moral approval of the tools used, but rather highlights how God can utilize even sinful nations or people to accomplish His divine purposes.

The verse is emphatic in its declaration of thorough destruction. The repetition of "with you I will shatter" across various categories of people – nation, kingdom, horse and rider, chariot and driver, male and female, elder and young man, maiden and inhabitant of strength, merchant – underscores that no aspect of Babylon's power, society, or inhabitants will be spared. It conveys a total annihilation.

The specific imagery of "battle-axe" and "weapons of war" points to instruments of severe, crushing force, leaving no room for escape or recovery for Babylon. This verse directly speaks to the impending downfall of the Neo-Babylonian empire by the Medes and Persians, but its theological message resonates throughout Scripture: God raises up and brings down rulers and nations according to His will. He is the ultimate power behind historical movements. The verse also anticipates later depictions of divine judgment on powerful, oppressive entities, like the symbolic "Babylon" in Revelation.