Jeremiah 51 55

Jeremiah 51:55 kjv

Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:

Jeremiah 51:55 nkjv

Because the LORD is plundering Babylon And silencing her loud voice, Though her waves roar like great waters, And the noise of their voice is uttered,

Jeremiah 51:55 niv

The LORD will destroy Babylon; he will silence her noisy din. Waves of enemies will rage like great waters; the roar of their voices will resound.

Jeremiah 51:55 esv

For the LORD is laying Babylon waste and stilling her mighty voice. Their waves roar like many waters; the noise of their voice is raised,

Jeremiah 51:55 nlt

For the LORD is destroying Babylon.
He will silence her loud voice.
Waves of enemies pound against her;
the noise of battle rings through the city.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 55 Meaning

This verse is a prophecy from Jeremiah concerning the downfall of Babylon. It highlights the relentless nature of God's judgment, described as a powerful force like a "tempest" or "whirlwind" that sweeps across the land. The verse emphasizes that God's justice will utterly destroy Babylon, leaving nothing but ruins. It speaks of the "fierce anger" of God being poured out upon the city, signifying the totality and intensity of His judgment.

Jeremiah 51 55 Context

Jeremiah chapter 51 continues the extensive prophecy against Babylon. Babylon, a formidable empire, had oppressed God's people, the Israelites, carrying them into exile. Jeremiah delivers these prophecies during a time when Babylon is at its peak of power, making the pronouncements of its destruction seem unlikely to the original audience. The chapter describes Babylon's pride, its idolatry, and the pervasive wickedness that characterized its rule. This specific verse is part of a larger section that details the intensity and totality of God's judgment upon Babylon, framing it as an unstoppable force sent directly by God to exact vengeance.

Jeremiah 51 55 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (wə·hā·yâ): "and it shall be" or "and it will come to pass." This common prophetic introductory phrase signals a future event or a divine decree. It indicates a continuation of the prophetic narrative and a certainty of the event.
• הִנֵּה (hin·nêh): "Behold!" or "Lo!" This exclamation draws attention, emphasizing the imminence and certainty of what is about to be declared. It signifies an announcement that demands immediate notice.
• אֲנִי (ʾă·nî): "I." The emphatic personal pronoun of God, highlighting His direct involvement in the action. God is the agent of this judgment.
• עֹלֶה (ʿō·lêh): "coming up" or "rising." Describes a movement from a lower place to a higher one, or an approach. Here, it signifies the approach of a destructive force.
• כְּרַעַשׁ (ḵə·ra·ʿaš): "like an earthquake," "like a rumbling," or "like a commotion." This simile conveys a powerful, shaking, and disorienting force. It emphasizes the destructive impact on the land and its inhabitants.
• קָהָל (qā·hāl): "a company," "an assembly," or "a multitude." It refers to a group of people or a force. Here, it suggests a large and organized army or divine judgment coming against Babylon.
• מֵאֶרֶץ (mē·ʾe·reṣ): "from the land." Indicates the origin of the destructive force. It's coming from afar, originating from distant lands, implying a foreign invasion.
• מִקְצֵה (miq·ṣêh): "from the extremity," "from the end," or "from the remotest part." Emphasizes the vastness and breadth of the originating region, suggesting no part of the world will be excluded from its impact or that the judgment comes from the far corners of the earth.
• שְׁמֹנֶה (šə·mō·nêh): "eight." This number is significant in ancient Near Eastern contexts. While "eight" itself can denote abundance or completeness, in this specific context, the full phrase might be an idiomatic expression for a great multitude or a comprehensive force. The phrase "from the north" is often associated with invading armies in prophetic literature.
• צָפוֹנָה (ṣā·pō·nâ): "the north." A common direction associated with hostile invading armies in Old Testament prophecy, especially from Mesopotamia or beyond.
• לְחִבּוּל (lə·ḥib·bûl): "for destruction" or "for ruin." Clearly states the purpose and ultimate outcome of the coming force.
• וּבָבֶל (ū·ḇā·ḇel): "and Babylon." Explicitly names the target of this destruction.
• תִּהְיֶה (tih·yeh): "she shall be." Refers back to Babylon.
• חֶרְפַּת (ḥer·pat): "a reproach" or "an object of shame/contempt." Indicates that Babylon's ultimate state will be one of disgrace and mockery.
• שְׁפִיךְ (šə·pîḵ): "a pouring out" or "shedding." Refers to bloodshed or the outpouring of judgment.
• דָּמָהּ (dā·māh): "her blood." The blood shed by or in Babylon, symbolizing its guilt and the violence it has caused and will experience.
• גְּדוֹלָה (gə·dō·lâ): "great." Describes the extent of the bloodshed or the greatness of the outpouring.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Like an earthquake... from the remotest part" (כְּרַעַשׁ קָהָל מֵאֶרֶץ מִקְצֵה) describes the nature and origin of the divine judgment as overwhelming, tumultuous, and widespread.
• "And for destruction" (לְחִבּוּל) directly states the ultimate outcome of this coming force against Babylon.
• "Babylon shall be a reproach; a shedding of her blood, great" (וּבָבֶל תִּהְיֶה חֶרְפַּת שְׁפִיךְ דָּמָהּ גְּדוֹלָה) encapsulates the totality of her defeat and disgrace, linking her violence to her final state of being shamed for her own bloodshed.

Jeremiah 51 55 Bonus Section

The reference to a force coming "from the north" is a consistent motif in prophetic literature concerning enemies of Israel, particularly from the Mesopotamian region like Babylon and Assyria. The number "eight" in the phrase "eight countries" is unusual; some scholars suggest it might be an expanded way of saying "many" or referring to a coalition of nations brought against Babylon, or even a textual corruption where a more common phrase was intended. Nevertheless, its presence reinforces the idea of a vast and overwhelming force mobilized for destruction. The prophetic personification of cities and nations as female (Babylon) is common, and the shedding of blood is often a metaphor for the crimes and injustices committed by a nation. The verse anticipates not just the military conquest of Babylon but its complete repudiation as a global power and a symbol of divine justice being enacted.

Jeremiah 51 55 Commentary

This verse vividly illustrates the inescapable and devastating nature of God's judgment upon wickedness. The imagery of an "earthquake" and a "great multitude from the remotest part" moving "from the north" underscores that no defense will avail Babylon. It is not merely a military defeat but a divinely orchestrated "destruction" and "ruin." Babylon's future state is described as a "reproach," a testament to her past cruelty. The "shedding of her blood, great" refers both to the violence she inflicted on others and the violence she will suffer. It highlights divine retribution, where the extent of her sins leads to the extent of her punishment, resulting in utter disgrace and ruin.