Jeremiah 51:53 kjv
Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:53 nkjv
Though Babylon were to mount up to heaven, And though she were to fortify the height of her strength, Yet from Me plunderers would come to her," says the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:53 niv
Even if Babylon ascends to the heavens and fortifies her lofty stronghold, I will send destroyers against her," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:53 esv
Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify her strong height, yet destroyers would come from me against her, declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 51:53 nlt
Though Babylon reaches as high as the heavens
and makes her fortifications incredibly strong,
I will still send enemies to plunder her.
I, the LORD, have spoken!
Jeremiah 51 53 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 51 | Babylon's judgment declared. | Theme of judgment against Babylon |
| Isaiah 13:6 | Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. | Lord's judgment upon Babylon |
| Isaiah 14:13 | You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God.” | Babylon's pride and aspiration to ascend |
| Jeremiah 49 | Judgment on Edom. | Parallel judgment prophecies |
| Jeremiah 50 | The Lord will unleash His fury on Babylon. | Continued judgment on Babylon |
| Psalm 37:35 | I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading like a verdant native tree. | Imagery of prosperity followed by destruction |
| Obadiah 1:3 | The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock and make your home on the heights... | Pride leading to downfall |
| Revelation 18:7 | Give her a retaliation as she has retaliated and double back to her the double according to her deeds; in the cup which she mixed, mix double for her. | Retribution for Babylon's actions |
| Psalm 73:18 | Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. | Lord casting down the proud |
| Amos 6:1 | Woe to those who are complacent in Zion, and to those who feel secure on Mount Samaria... | Woe to those who are secure in their pride |
| Isaiah 23:9 | The LORD Almighty has devised it to defile the pride of all glory and to humiliate all the honored ones of the earth. | Lord humbling pride |
| Habakkuk 2:6 | Will not all of them taunt him with mockery and taunts, saying, "Woe to him who increases what is not his—... | Taunting the greedy oppressor |
| Luke 1:52 | He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. | Lord's reversal of power |
| Jeremiah 51:64 | And you shall say, "Babylon will sink and never rise again because of the disaster that I am bringing on her, and the people will be exhausted. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah." | Finality of Babylon's judgment |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:8 | and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the appearance of His coming. | Lord destroying the wicked |
| Isaiah 47:7 | You said, "I am the mistress of kingdoms, eternal, and in the height of them; I shall never grow weak." | Babylon's boast of permanence |
| Jeremiah 51:15 | He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom and by His understanding stretched out the heavens. | God's sovereign power over creation and destruction |
| Daniel 4:17 | ...to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whom he will, and sets over it the lowest of men.' | God's sovereignty over kingdoms |
| Proverbs 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. | General principle of pride leading to fall |
| Psalm 107:40 | He pours contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in an trackless waste. | Lord humbling the proud |
Jeremiah 51 verses
Jeremiah 51 53 Meaning
Though Babylon's ascent reaches the heavens, and though she strongly fortifies her ramparts, destruction comes to her from me, declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 51 53 Context
Jeremiah 51 is part of the prophetic oracle against Babylon, a city that represented a powerful and oppressive empire. This chapter details the ultimate downfall of Babylon as a tool of divine judgment. The verse in question highlights Babylon's perceived invincibility, symbolized by its great height and strong fortifications, contrasting with the certainty of its destruction by the Lord. The historical context involves the Babylonian exile, where God's people were subjected to Babylonian rule. The prophecy assures them that their oppressor will, in turn, face God's judgment.
Jeremiah 51 53 Word Analysis
Though (Ki) - Hebrew for "for," "because," "that," introducing a subordinate clause. Here it introduces the preceding confidence or appearance of strength.
Babylon (Bāḇel) - Name of the great Mesopotamian empire and its capital city.
Ascent (ma‘aleh) - Hebrew for "rising," "going up," "ascent." Can imply increase, advancement, or reaching a high point.
Heavens (šāmayim) - Hebrew for "heavens," "sky," "high place." Symbolically represents the highest or most exalted position.
Though (wa-‘im) - Hebrew for "and if," "even if," expressing a concessive condition.
She strongly fortifies (wəḥāzaqat mibbĕṣar) - Literally "and she makes strong with her fortress/stronghold." Emphasizes her defensive structures and perceived security.
Ramparts (mibbĕṣar) - Hebrew for "stronghold," "fortress," "refuge," "defence." Refers to defensive walls and fortifications.
Destruction (šĕwā‘) - Hebrew for "devastation," "calamity," "destruction." The consequence of divine wrath.
Comes (bā’āh) - Hebrew for "come," "go," "bring."
To her (lāh) - Pronoun indicating the object of the destruction.
From me (mimménnî) - Emphasizes that the destruction is orchestrated by the Lord Himself, not by human means alone.
Declares the Lord (nĕ’um Yĕhvāh) - A common prophetic formula, asserting the divine origin of the message.
Words-group analysis:
- "Though Babylon's ascent reaches the heavens" - Captures Babylon's perceived greatness, pride, and aspiration to attain godlike status or supreme power, echoing the Tower of Babel narrative implicitly.
- "and though she strongly fortifies her ramparts" - Highlights Babylon's immense human efforts in building seemingly impenetrable defenses, representing self-reliance and trust in material strength.
- "destruction comes to her from me, declares the Lord" - This phrase powerfully contrasts Babylon's boasts and defenses with the ultimate divine authority. The source of destruction is explicitly Yahweh, rendering human fortifications useless against His decree.
Jeremiah 51 53 Bonus Section
The imagery of Babylon reaching for the heavens can be seen as a parallel to the Tower of Babel story in Genesis 11, where humanity's pride led to their dispersion. Babylon's ascendancy represents a similar, albeit more sophisticated, act of defiance against God's established order. The phrase "destruction comes to her from me" underscores that even though human armies would execute this destruction (like the Medes and Persians), the ultimate source and cause was God's divine plan and decree. It’s a reminder that worldly powers, however formidable, are ultimately instruments or subjects of God's ultimate plan. The verse also highlights a theological principle: that true security is not found in fortifications or worldly might, but in one's relationship with the Almighty.
Jeremiah 51 53 Commentary
This verse paints a stark contrast between human pride and earthly security against the absolute sovereignty and power of God. Babylon, a symbol of worldliness, power, and opposition to God's people, believed itself to be secure behind its massive walls and ambitious reach. The prophet declares that such confidence is misplaced. The Lord Himself, the ultimate sovereign, will bring about Babylon's destruction. No amount of fortification or aspiration to earthly power can withstand divine judgment when it is decreed. The "heavens" are not the true heavens that belong to God, but a metaphorical height indicating extreme worldly power and boastful pride.