Jeremiah 51 38

Jeremiah 51:38 kjv

They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps.

Jeremiah 51:38 nkjv

They shall roar together like lions, They shall growl like lions' whelps.

Jeremiah 51:38 niv

Her people all roar like young lions, they growl like lion cubs.

Jeremiah 51:38 esv

"They shall roar together like lions; they shall growl like lions' cubs.

Jeremiah 51:38 nlt

Her people will roar together like strong lions.
They will growl like lion cubs.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 38 Meaning

The elders rejoiced, and the soldiers ceased fighting; the destruction of Babylon signified their salvation and the end of their suffering under its dominion.

Jeremiah 51 38 Context

Jeremiah 51 is a chapter detailing God's judgment against Babylon for its sinfulness and oppression of His people, Israel. This verse specifically describes the immediate aftermath of Babylon's complete destruction, signifying a moment of relief and joy for those who had suffered under its rule. The chapter draws parallels with other judgments God has enacted throughout history, emphasizing that all human empires, no matter how powerful, are subject to divine accountability. The prophecy culminates in a call for God's people to depart from Babylon, highlighting the contrast between God's judgment on wickedness and His deliverance of the righteous.

Jeremiah 51 38 Word Analysis

• כִּ֤י (ki): "For," "because." Introduces the reason for the subsequent statement, explaining why there was rejoicing.

• חָרְבוּ (ḥā·rə·ḇu): "they are laid waste," "they are desolate." Emphasizes the complete ruin and emptiness of Babylon. From the root חָרַב (ḥā·rǎḇ), meaning "to be dry, waste away, desolate."

• יִשְׂמַח (yiś·maḥ): "he/she rejoices." Third person masculine singular Hiphil imperfect of שָׂמַח (śā·maḥ), meaning "to be glad, rejoice." Here, it refers to "they" as a collective body or the people.

• מִצְרַיִם (miṣ·rā·yim): "Egypt." In the original Hebrew, it appears as "the oppressor" or the source of servitude that Israel escaped, pointing to Egypt as a historical example of oppressive power, but here it seems to be an emendation or contextual reference for a people freed from a similar yoke. Some translations understand this as referring to a land or its oppressors, rather than the nation of Egypt itself in this specific context. The Hebrew can also be understood in a broader sense of "oppressor."

• יַֽעֲבוּ (ya·‘ǎ·ḇu): "they pass over," "they will go over." Third person masculine plural Hiphil imperfect of עָבַר (‘ā·ḇaḇr), meaning "to pass over, cross." It suggests moving beyond a past affliction.

• כִּ֤י (ki): "for," "because."

• קָמִ֤י (qā·mî): "my enemy," "my adversary." Second person common singular possessive from קָמָה (qā·māh), meaning "to rise up, stand up" and thus, "one who rises against."

• יַהְפָּךְ (yah·pōḵ): "he turns over," "he overturns." Third person masculine singular Hiphil imperfect of הָפַךְ (hā·p̄aḵ), meaning "to turn, overthrow, overturn."

• יַהְוָה (yah·wāh): "LORD." The personal covenant name of God.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "their enemies shall be made desolate" (Hebrew implies the emptiness/ruin that comes to the oppressors): This phrase encapsulates the divine retribution against those who oppressed God's people, indicating a reversal of fortune where the oppressors are left in ruin, and the oppressed are freed.
  • "Egypt passed over" (lit. "Egypt, they passed over"): This can be understood either as a historical reference to Israel's exodus from Egypt, serving as a paradigm for their liberation from Babylon, or more contextually, it might refer to the oppressors of Egypt, or more generally, "they from Egypt passed over," implying that a people who suffered like Israel in Egypt, or who are the oppressors symbolized by Egypt, will now be delivered or rendered powerless. Given the direct statement of Babylon's destruction preceding this, the most direct meaning is that the oppressive power which had enslaved various peoples, much like Egypt did historically, is now overthrown and removed, allowing the subject peoples to "pass over" or escape.
  • "his overthrower shall be turned": This highlights the cyclical nature of divine justice, where the one who brought about destruction is himself overthrown or meets his own downfall. The one who oppressed and "turned over" others is himself overturned.

Jeremiah 51 38 Bonus Section

The numerical value of the Hebrew letters in "Egypt" (מִצְרַיִם - Mitzrayim) can sometimes be used in interpretive studies, though its direct application here is more symbolic. The historical parallel to the Exodus from Egypt is strong, underscoring God's consistent pattern of deliverance for His people. The "joy" mentioned is not a fleeting emotion but a profound relief and celebration of freedom from a deeply oppressive system, a foretaste of the eschatological joy described in the New Testament when Babylon the Great falls. This verse aligns with the broader theme in Jeremiah where judgment on oppressors is always linked to the ultimate restoration and blessing of God's covenant people.

Jeremiah 51 38 Commentary

The destruction of Babylon represents a climactic victory for God and His people. The desolation of Babylon signifies the end of its tyrannical power, which had brought misery and oppression. The rejoicing of the people signifies their deliverance and liberation from a prolonged period of suffering. The comparison or mention of Egypt, likely recalling Israel's historic bondage and miraculous exodus, serves as a potent reminder of God's faithfulness in freeing His people from oppressive powers. The verse emphasizes God's active intervention to bring justice and vindication for the wronged. The turnaround for Babylon's oppressors shows that no human power is ultimately victorious against the Lord. This serves as a foundational theological truth that ultimate victory belongs to God and that He redeems those who call upon Him, transforming their captivity into triumph.