Jeremiah 51 46

Jeremiah 51:46 kjv

And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.

Jeremiah 51:46 nkjv

And lest your heart faint, And you fear for the rumor that will be heard in the land (A rumor will come one year, And after that, in another year A rumor will come, And violence in the land, Ruler against ruler),

Jeremiah 51:46 niv

Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.

Jeremiah 51:46 esv

Let not your heart faint, and be not fearful at the report heard in the land, when a report comes in one year and afterward a report in another year, and violence is in the land, and ruler is against ruler.

Jeremiah 51:46 nlt

But do not panic; don't be afraid
when you hear the first rumor of approaching forces.
For rumors will keep coming year by year.
Violence will erupt in the land
as the leaders fight against each other.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 46 meaning

Jeremiah 51:46 serves as a divine pre-warning and reassurance to the Jewish exiles residing in Babylon. It anticipates a period of internal turmoil and instability within the Babylonian empire. The verse instructs God's people not to be disheartened or afraid by persistent reports ("rumour upon rumour") of conflict and violence that will spread through the land. Specifically, it forecasts civil strife, characterized by "ruler against ruler," which signifies internal power struggles and political upheaval. This prophecy intends to prepare them for these events, reaffirming that such disturbances are part of God's sovereign plan for Babylon's eventual judgment and destruction, thereby encouraging their trust and patient endurance rather than succumbing to fear.

Jeremiah 51 46 Context

Jeremiah chapter 51 is a comprehensive prophetic oracle declaring the impending destruction of Babylon. It details God's righteous judgment against the nation that had served as His instrument of discipline against Judah but had then exceeded its mandate in its cruelty and idolatry. The surrounding verses (51:45-58) specifically call God's people to depart from Babylon before its destruction, urging them to rescue themselves from the impending wrath. Within this urgent call, verse 46 serves a crucial role: it addresses the potential fear and anxiety that might grip the exiles as the promised downfall of Babylon gradually unfolds. Rather than an instantaneous collapse, the verse prepares them for a period of increasing internal instability and violence. Historically, after the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, the Neo-Babylonian Empire indeed saw a succession of short-lived and often warring rulers, setting the stage for its eventual conquest by Persia under Cyrus the Great. The verse thus provided the original audience with an explanation for the unfolding geopolitical chaos, ensuring they would view it through the lens of divine prophecy, not merely random events.

Jeremiah 51 46 Word analysis

• And lest your heart faint: The Hebrew verb for "faint" is yir'kakh (יִרְכַּךְ), meaning "to be soft, tender, or weak." Here, it signifies a loss of courage, resolve, or hope. It's not just a physical weakening but an internal giving up due to fear.
• and ye fear: The Hebrew v'tira'u (וְתִירָאוּ) directly conveys active dread, terror, or intense anxiety. It points to being utterly overwhelmed by reports.
• for the rumour that shall be heard in the land: The Hebrew sh'mu'ah (שְׁמוּעָה) refers to "a report" or "news," often carrying connotations of disturbing or unsettling tidings, as seen in other prophetic contexts (e.g., Isa 28:9). The mere hearing of it is what triggers fear.
• a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour: The repetition and phrasing emphasize the persistence and sequential nature of the troubling reports. It's not a singular event but a prolonged period where unsettling news (of unrest, war, internal conflict) consistently arrives, year after year. This prepares the exiles for a sustained season of instability, not a quick, decisive change.
• and violence in the land: The Hebrew word chamas (חָמָס) denotes strong, often aggressive or unjust violence, oppression, and cruelty. This points to active conflict and lawlessness beyond mere rumors, demonstrating the deterioration of civil order.
• ruler against ruler: The Hebrew u'moshel b'moshel (וּמֹשֵׁל בְּמוֹשֵׁל) literally means "ruler upon ruler" or "ruler against ruler." This idiom clearly denotes internal political strife, power struggles, and potentially civil wars or rapid successions of weak rulers. It points to the breakdown of unified authority within Babylon. This specific phrase underlines that the primary source of Babylon's decay would be internal division, not solely external threats.

Jeremiah 51 46 Bonus section

This verse not only prophesies Babylon's decline but also serves as a model for how believers should process news of world events, particularly those that shake established orders. The historical context after Nebuchadnezzar's death saw a series of weak rulers, assassinations, and rapid governmental changes within Babylon, which precisely fits the "ruler against ruler" prophecy. Nabonidus, the last Neo-Babylonian king, was often absent from the capital, further contributing to the political instability described. The warning here provided the exiles with resilience: understanding God's plan allowed them to transform anxiety into hopeful anticipation, knowing that Babylon's decline was a prelude to their own promised liberation and return to Judah. The cumulative effect of sustained "rumours" was indeed part of the psychological attrition designed by God to weaken the empire and solidify the faith of His chosen people, assuring them that His timing and method, though not always immediate, are always perfect.

Jeremiah 51 46 Commentary

Jeremiah 51:46 functions as a critical piece of prophetic counsel for those living through times of global instability. It is a specific instruction to God's people during the waning days of the Babylonian empire, designed to anchor their hearts amidst chaos. The verse prepares them psychologically, preempting their potential dismay at the "rumours" and "violence." God foresees the fear that repeated reports of strife might induce, particularly the news of "ruler against ruler," which signified the empire's internal collapse. Instead of being paralyzed by dread or allowing hope to wane, they were to understand these events as divinely orchestrated signs of Babylon's predicted downfall. This prophetic insight shifted their perspective from fearing the unknown to understanding the unfolding of God's righteous judgment. It underscores a timeless truth: God's people should look beyond the superficial events of the world, no matter how terrifying, to discern God's hand in history, ensuring that their faith rests in His sovereign control rather than in the stability of any earthly power.