Jeremiah 51 42

Jeremiah 51:42 kjv

The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.

Jeremiah 51:42 nkjv

The sea has come up over Babylon; She is covered with the multitude of its waves.

Jeremiah 51:42 niv

The sea will rise over Babylon; its roaring waves will cover her.

Jeremiah 51:42 esv

The sea has come up on Babylon; she is covered with its tumultuous waves.

Jeremiah 51:42 nlt

The sea has risen over Babylon;
she is covered by its crashing waves.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 42 Meaning

The sea shall rise and cover Babylon. Its tumult and noise of waters shall overwhelm it. This signifies the complete destruction of the city, submerged by an invading force likened to a rising sea, leading to widespread devastation and chaos.

Jeremiah 51 42 Context

Jeremiah 51 is the culmination of a long prophecy against Babylon, which began in chapter 50. God, through Jeremiah, declares judgment upon Babylon for its pride and cruelty towards Israel. This specific verse comes in the latter part of the chapter, detailing the absolute and irreversible destruction that will befall the city. Historically, this prophecy was given during the Babylonian exile, foretelling the fall of the mighty Babylonian empire which had subjugated Judah. The imagery of a rising sea reflects the overwhelming and consuming nature of the judgment that would sweep away Babylon. The impending enemy, often identified with the Medes and Persians in historical interpretation, is presented as an instrument of God's wrath.

Jeremiah 51 42 Word Analysis

• וְעָלָה (vəʿālah): "and shall rise." The root "alah" signifies ascending, going up. Here, it implies a sudden, overwhelming surge, like an uncontainable tide.

• יָם (yam): "sea." Symbolically, "sea" can represent vast nations, tumultuous crowds, or chaos. Here it powerfully depicts an invading army whose numbers and force are immense and overwhelming.

• מִבָּבֶל (mib’āḇēl): "from Babylon" or "out of Babylon." This prepositional phrase indicates the origin or the engulfing agent of the "sea." It's the sea of Babylon or a force arising from a source akin to Babylon's chaos or itself, but the primary interpretation is the sea rising against Babylon. However, "mi" can also mean "by" or "with", suggesting the agent that destroys is through or with the rising sea. Most consistently, it's the agent causing destruction to Babylon.

• כָּל־ (kōl): "all," "every." Emphasizes the totality of the submersion.

• תְּהוֹמֶיהָ (təhōmêhā): "its deep waters" or "its waves." The word "tehom" often refers to the primeval deep, the abyss, or chaos. Here, it describes the immense depth and disruptive force of the "sea" that will inundate Babylon. The plural "tehomêhā" suggests its manifold and powerful currents.

• וּתְכַסֵּהוּ (ūṯəkōssēhū): "and shall cover it." "Kasah" means to cover, hide, or conceal. This implies total engulfment and obliteration.

• רַעַשׁ (raʿaŝ): "noise," "tumult," "uproar." It conveys the sound of confusion, chaos, and violent commotion.

• מֵימֶיהָ (mēymêhā): "its waters." Refers to the waters themselves, amplifying the overwhelming sound and action of the invading force.

• The imagery of the rising sea: The sea is a potent symbol of chaos, pagan nations, and divine judgment throughout scripture (see Psa 46:3, Isa 8:7). The specific phrase "the sea shall rise" powerfully paints a picture of an overwhelming, unstoppable force of destruction.

• "From Babylon" interpretation: While "mib'āḇēl" can suggest origin, the context strongly leans towards the destructive force overwhelming Babylon itself. Scholars note the ambiguity that can exist with "mi" (from/out of), but the overarching theme of judgment makes the "overwhelming Babylon" interpretation dominant. It’s the sea coming against Babylon, with Babylon's own chaos possibly adding to the din, or the sea emerging with force reminiscent of Babylon’s own destructive power, yet directed at it.

• The overwhelming noise and waters: The combination of "ra'ash" (noise/tumult) and "meymeyha" (its waters) emphasizes both the sonic chaos and the physical inundation. This is not just a military conquest but a complete shattering of order and habitation.

Jeremiah 51 42 Bonus Section

The imagery of waters overwhelming a city is found in several ancient Near Eastern creation and flood myths, often depicting primordial chaos. By using this imagery against Babylon, the prophet polemically recontextualizes it, showing that God, the true Creator and sovereign, uses these chaotic forces, directed by His will, to bring judgment. Instead of chaotic waters bringing destruction as a natural force, they become instruments of divine wrath. The specific destruction prophesied here finds its ultimate symbolic fulfillment in Revelation 18, which describes the fall of "Babylon the Great." This theological link between ancient literal Babylon and a symbolic end-times spiritual and political power adds another layer of significance, showing how the judgment on ancient Babylon prefigures future divine judgments on systems of opposition to God.

Jeremiah 51 42 Commentary

This verse is a graphic declaration of judgment on Babylon. The "sea" is a metaphor for the vast, invading army, likely the Medes and Persians, that would conquer and destroy the city. Their arrival and victory would be so overwhelming, like a destructive flood or tsunami, that Babylon would be completely submerged and silenced. The noise of the enemy’s advance and the city’s demise would be immense. This prophesies a complete, irrecoverable overthrow of the city and its empire, illustrating God's power to bring down even the mightiest earthly powers when they exalt themselves against Him and oppress His people. It serves as a stark warning against pride and injustice.