Jeremiah 51:39 kjv
In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:39 nkjv
In their excitement I will prepare their feasts; I will make them drunk, That they may rejoice, And sleep a perpetual sleep And not awake," says the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:39 niv
But while they are aroused, I will set out a feast for them and make them drunk, so that they shout with laughter? then sleep forever and not awake," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:39 esv
While they are inflamed I will prepare them a feast and make them drunk, that they may become merry, then sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake, declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:39 nlt
And while they lie inflamed with all their wine,
I will prepare a different kind of feast for them.
I will make them drink until they fall asleep,
and they will never wake up again,"
says the LORD.
Jeremiah 51 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 51:39 | "While they are celebrating, I will prepare a feast for them and make them drunk, so that they will slumber deeply and fall into an everlasting sleep, never to awaken," declares the LORD. | Consequence of divine judgment, judgment on oppressors |
| Revelation 18:6 | "Give back to her what she has given—double for what she has done. Mix a double portion from her own wine cup." | Reciprocity in judgment, Babylon's fate |
| Psalm 75:8 | "In the hand of the LORD is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with sediment; he pours it out and all the wicked on earth will drink it down to the dregs." | God's cup of judgment |
| Isaiah 51:17 | "Awake, awake! Stand up, Jerusalem! You who have drunk from the LORD’s cup, from the cup of his anger, who have drained the dregs of the cup of staggering." | Jerusalem's suffering, divine wrath |
| Jeremiah 25:15-16 | "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to me: “Take this cup of the wine of My fury from My hand and force all the nations to whom I am sending you to drink it. They will drink it and reel and go mad because of the sword I am sending among them.”" | God's fury, prophetic act |
| Jeremiah 50:24 | "I will reward Babylon and all who live in Babylonia for all the good they have done to Zion, declares the LORD." | Judgment on Babylon, historical context |
| Isaiah 13:17 | "See, I will stir up against them the Medes, who do not value silver and are not pleased with gold." | Instruments of judgment |
| Jeremiah 51:30 | "The warriors of Babylon have ceased to fight; they have remained in their fortresses. Their strength has failed them; they have become like women. Her dwelling places have been set ablaze; her gates have been shattered." | Babylon's defeat |
| Hosea 7:1-2 | "While I would heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is revealed, and the wickedness of Samaria, for their deeds are genuine; a thief breaks in, and a gang of robbers attacks the street." | Idolatry's consequences |
| Amos 5:2 | "Fallen is Virgin Israel, no more to rise. She lies abandoned on her land, with no one to lift her up." | Israel's fallen state, no help |
| Zephaniah 1:12 | "At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who think the LORD does nothing, either good or bad." | Judgment on complacency |
| Isaiah 14:22-23 | "I will fall upon him and cut off from Babylon its name and remnant, offspring and posterity, declares the LORD. I will make Babylon a haunt for owls and a swampy marshland; I will sweep it clean with the broom of destruction, declares the LORD Almighty." | Babylon's desolation |
| Revelation 17:1-6 | Describes Babylon the Great as a harlot, judged for her fornication and bloodshed. | Symbolism of Babylon |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." | God's provision in temptation (contrast) |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:3 | "While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." | Sudden destruction, "peace and safety" cry |
| Job 21:30 | "The wicked are spared until the day of destruction; they are led forth to the day of wrath." | Wickedness leading to wrath |
| Jeremiah 51:33 | "For the Lord Almighty says: “The people of Israel are oppressed, and so are the people of Judah. Their captors have held them fast, refusing to let them go." | Israel's oppression, a backdrop for judgment |
| Psalm 11:6 | "He rains down fire and brimstone on the wicked; blazing sulfur is their lot." | Divine judgment methods |
| Isaiah 21:4 | "My heart is stunned, horror bewilders me; the twilight I longed for has turned into terror for me." | Imagery of terror |
| Jeremiah 23:15 | "Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets: “I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, for widespread wickedness has spread from the prophets of Jerusalem.”" | Judgment on false prophets |
Jeremiah 51 verses
Jeremiah 51 39 Meaning
This verse describes the consequence of Babylon's defilement and idolatry, leading to its eventual destruction and scattering. The specific mention of drinking means they will be unable to heal or recover from their judgment.
Jeremiah 51 39 Context
Jeremiah 51 is the conclusion of a prophecy against Babylon. Babylon was a major imperial power that had conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and exiled its people. The chapter details Babylon's impending downfall, portrayed as a divinely orchestrated judgment for its pride, cruelty, and idolatry. The verse specifically speaks of a final, lethal intoxicating potion administered to Babylon.
Jeremiah 51 39 Word Analysis
While (עוֹד - 'od): A temporal adverb, indicating the state of affairs while something else happens; "while still" or "moreover." It sets up a contrast between Babylon's revelry and its impending doom.
they are celebrating (יִשְׂמְחוּ - yism'khu): From the root שׂמח (samach), meaning "to rejoice," "be glad." Refers to Babylon's feasting and joyous activity, emphasizing its unrepentant revelry in its power and the misery of others.
I will prepare a feast for them (אֲנִי אַרְבֶּה לָהֶם - ani arbeh lahem): "I will make them many" or "I will multiply for them." This implies providing abundantly, but in this context, it's a perversion of blessing, leading to judgment. It suggests the abundance of their undoing.
and make them drunk (וְאַשְׁכִּרֵם - v'ashkirem): From the root שׁכר (shakar), meaning "to be drunk," "intoxicated." God will bring about a state of stupor and incapacitation upon them through judgment.
so that they will slumber deeply (וְיִשְׁנוּ - v'yishnu): From the root ישׁן (yashan), meaning "to sleep." A deep, irreversible sleep. This signifies their complete incapacitation and inability to resist or escape the impending destruction.
and fall into an everlasting sleep (שְׁנַת עוֹלָם - shnat olam): "A sleep of eternity" or "an eternal sleep." This is a metaphor for permanent death and destruction, a state from which there is no waking.
never to awaken (וְלֹא יָקִיצוּ - v'lo yakutzu): "And not awake." Reinforces the finality of the slumber and the definitive end of Babylon's power and existence.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "prepare a feast... make them drunk" (ארב להם... ואשכרם - 'arbeh lahem... v'ashkirem): This imagery combines feasting with intoxication, suggesting that their celebration and security are a prelude to a fatal, incapacitating blow delivered by God's judgment. It is a perverted hospitality leading to destruction.
- "slumber deeply and fall into an everlasting sleep, never to awaken" (ישנו שנת עולם ולא יקיצו - yishnu shnat olam v'lo yakutzu): This sequence describes a total incapacitation. The deep sleep signifies the overwhelming nature of the judgment, and the "eternal sleep" leaves no room for recovery, marking complete and final ruin.
Jeremiah 51 39 Bonus Section
The imagery of a drunkard unable to wake from sleep is potent. In ancient Near Eastern thought, drunkenness could be associated with divine power, but here it's the source of downfall. The "eternal sleep" is a strong indication of total annihilation, echoing the fate of empires and civilizations that defy God. The passage emphasizes God's sovereignty not just in His actions but in His orchestration of events that lead to such decisive outcomes.
Jeremiah 51 39 Commentary
This verse presents God's ultimate judgment upon Babylon. Their feasting and celebrations are contrasted with the severe, unending destruction that God will bring upon them. The intoxication is not literal but metaphorical for being overcome by divine wrath. This "eternal sleep" signifies a complete and irreversible end to their power and existence, emphasizing the finality of God's judgment on those who oppress His people and turn away from Him. The verse serves as a warning against pride and idolatry, showcasing that no worldly power can withstand God's ultimate decree.