Jeremiah 51 43

Jeremiah 51:43 kjv

Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby.

Jeremiah 51:43 nkjv

Her cities are a desolation, A dry land and a wilderness, A land where no one dwells, Through which no son of man passes.

Jeremiah 51:43 niv

Her towns will be desolate, a dry and desert land, a land where no one lives, through which no one travels.

Jeremiah 51:43 esv

Her cities have become a horror, a land of drought and a desert, a land in which no one dwells, and through which no son of man passes.

Jeremiah 51:43 nlt

Her cities now lie in ruins;
she is a dry wasteland
where no one lives or even passes by.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 43 Meaning

He (Babylon) poured out his deadly poison and cast his nets wide. Those who once held dominion are now brought low, cast aside, and cast down.

Jeremiah 51 43 Context

Jeremiah 51 continues the prophecy against Babylon. This chapter is a sustained denunciation of Babylon for its role in oppressing God's people and its own idolatry. The focus is on Babylon's imminent destruction by the Medes and Persians. Verse 43 specifically addresses Babylon's demise and the nature of its fall. Historically, Babylon was a formidable empire that conquered Jerusalem and exiled its people, making its ultimate destruction a source of comfort and divine vindication for Israel. The verse describes the process of its downfall, linking it to its former arrogance and oppressive actions.

Jeremiah 51 43 Word Analysis

• He: Refers to Babylon. This personification is common in prophetic literature, attributing human actions and emotions to nations or cities.

• poured out: Implies a deliberate and complete action, like pouring out a liquid. This suggests that Babylon's actions against others were thorough and intentional. In its wider context (Jer 51:7), it speaks of its "venom" or poisonous influence upon the earth, implying its corrupting ideology and actions.

• his deadly poison: "Poison" (Hebrew: ḥēmâ - חֵמָה) signifies wrath, venom, or something that destroys life. In this context, it refers to Babylon's wicked practices, cruelty, and spiritual corruption that it inflicted upon other nations. It speaks of its systemic violence and the ruin it brought.

• cast out his nets: This imagery signifies entrapment, capture, and destruction. Nets were used for fishing or hunting, implying that Babylon ensnared and destroyed nations through its power and deception. It suggests a predatory approach to other peoples.

• that were for him: This phrase connects the casting of nets specifically to those who fell victim to Babylon, indicating the ensnared were entities over which Babylon exerted control or influence.

• they who had dominion: Refers to those nations or powers that Babylon subdued and ruled over. This highlights Babylon's imperial ambition and its crushing of others' sovereignty.

• were brought low: Signifies humiliation, defeat, and destruction. Babylon itself, despite its former dominion, will experience the same fate.

• cast down: A reinforcement of "brought low," emphasizing complete downfall and the loss of status and power. It conveys utter ruin and abasement.

• Groups of words analysis:

  • "poured out his deadly poison": This encapsulates Babylon's pervasive and destructive influence. It suggests not just brute force but also the spread of its wicked system and ideology. It parallels the "venom" in 51:7.
  • "cast out his nets that were for him": This is a strong metaphor for Babylon's military and political strategy of conquering and dominating other nations. The "nets" are the mechanisms of its empire building which ultimately ensnare itself as judgment falls.
  • "they who had dominion were brought low, cast down": This describes the consequence for Babylon itself. The oppressor becomes the oppressed. Its former reign of terror will be reversed upon itself. This shows the retributive justice of God.

Jeremiah 51 43 Bonus Section

The imagery of a powerful entity pouring out poison and casting nets is found throughout Scripture, often describing destructive forces or insidious evil. This verse reflects the prophetic pattern where a nation that aggressively expands its dominion through sin and violence will eventually face a catastrophic collapse orchestrated by God. The chapter itself serves as a theological statement that no earthly empire, however powerful, is immune to divine judgment when it acts in defiance of God's will and oppresses His people. The ultimate "casting down" signifies not just a political defeat but a spiritual and moral humbling, an exposure of its idols and its inability to save itself when its destruction comes.

Jeremiah 51 43 Commentary

This verse paints a vivid picture of Babylon's destruction. Babylon, characterized by its "deadly poison," refers to its oppressive nature and wicked influence that it spread across the known world, much like a potent venom. The "nets" symbolize the methods it used to ensnare and subjugate nations, establishing its empire through military might, economic power, and manipulation. However, the divine judgment means that the very nations that Babylon ensnared and oppressed will now witness its downfall, and Babylon itself, the former enslaver, will be "brought low" and "cast down" into ruin. This underscores the principle of poetic justice: what one sows, they shall reap. Babylon’s reign of terror and dominion over others leads to its own ultimate humiliation and annihilation by the hand of God.