Jeremiah 51 56

Jeremiah 51:56 kjv

Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.

Jeremiah 51:56 nkjv

Because the plunderer comes against her, against Babylon, And her mighty men are taken. Every one of their bows is broken; For the LORD is the God of recompense, He will surely repay.

Jeremiah 51:56 niv

A destroyer will come against Babylon; her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken. For the LORD is a God of retribution; he will repay in full.

Jeremiah 51:56 esv

for a destroyer has come upon her, upon Babylon; her warriors are taken; their bows are broken in pieces, for the LORD is a God of recompense; he will surely repay.

Jeremiah 51:56 nlt

Destroying armies come against Babylon.
Her mighty men are captured,
and their weapons break in their hands.
For the LORD is a God who gives just punishment;
he always repays in full.

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 56 meaning

Jeremiah 51:56 foretells the utter and certain downfall of Babylon, emphasizing that its destruction is orchestrated by the Sovereign Lord. It declares that a 'destroyer' will attack Babylon, leading to the capture of its mighty warriors and the breaking of its formidable weaponry. The underlying reason for this catastrophic judgment is explicitly stated: the Lord is a "God of recompense," a deity who ensures justice and will certainly repay Babylon for its oppressive actions and pride.

Jeremiah 51 56 Context

Jeremiah 51:56 is situated within a lengthy prophetic oracle primarily directed against Babylon, encompassing chapters 50 and 51 of the book of Jeremiah. This section serves as a direct counterpoint to Babylon's ascendancy as the dominant world power of its time, a power that had brutally conquered Jerusalem and exiled its people. The immediate verses (Jer 51:54-55) speak of the cry and great destruction coming upon Babylon, particularly highlighting how the Lord silence the tumult from Babylon. This specific verse (51:56) summarizes why this judgment is happening and who is behind it, moving from a descriptive statement of destruction to a theological justification rooted in God's character. Historically, this prophecy was delivered during the time when Babylon was at its peak or just prior to its eventual fall to the Medes and Persians (539 BC). The chapter emphasizes that Babylon, despite its military might and self-proclaimed invincibility, is entirely subject to the sovereign will and judgment of the God of Israel, who punishes the nations for their sins, especially for their cruelty against His people. It implicitly counters Babylon's own theological narratives that attributed their conquests to the superiority of their gods.

Jeremiah 51 56 Word analysis

• For: Introduces the reason or justification for the preceding statement of Babylon's coming destruction and cries of desolation.

• the destroyer: Hebrew: שׁוֹדֵד (shoded). Refers to an agent of devastation, plunder, and ruin. This term can refer to human armies, as in this context, or be personified as a force of judgment. It highlights the thoroughness of the coming attack and the resulting desolation. It reflects the violence Babylon inflicted upon others, now returned.

• is coming against her: Signifies an imminent and directed assault. The target is specific. The use of the present participle implies an ongoing or rapidly approaching reality, underscoring the certainty of the prophecy.

• against Babylon: Hebrew: בָּבֶל (Babel). Identifies the precise nation being targeted. Babylon was a major empire, seen as the epitome of power and oppression.

• and her warriors are taken: Hebrew: גִּבּוֹרִים (gibborim) means "mighty men" or "heroes." The might of Babylon was built on its formidable military. Their capture signifies the collapse of Babylon's defenses and its elite forces, signaling complete defeat. It suggests inability to defend the city, often leading to mass slaughter or captivity.

• their bows are broken in pieces: Hebrew: קֶשֶׁת בְּרֻחָה (qeshet berucha) where 'qeshet' is bow, a primary offensive weapon of the era and symbol of military strength. To break a bow is to render it useless, symbolizing disarmament, military defeat, and loss of power. It signifies the end of their ability to project power or even defend themselves. This is a common biblical metaphor for military emasculation by divine action.

• for: Reiterates that what follows is the fundamental reason or explanation for all the preceding destructive events. It undergirds the entire judgment.

• the Lord: Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It asserts His active role as the orchestrator of these events, distinguishing Him from any perceived human or other divine agency. It elevates the conflict beyond mere political upheaval to divine intervention.

• is a God of recompense: Hebrew: אֵל גְּמֻלוֹת (El Gemulot). "El" signifies God, emphasizing His divine power and authority. "Gemulot" refers to deeds, rewards, or retribution, implying a return for actions performed. This title highlights God's attribute as the just judge who balances the scales of justice, especially in dealing with oppressors. It signifies a God who remembers and acts on the injustices done by wicked nations.

• He will surely repay: Hebrew: שָׁלֵּם (shalem) often implies to make whole, restore, but here specifically means to render full justice or retribution. The "surely" (an intensified verbal form) emphasizes the absolute certainty and inevitability of God's repayment, leaving no doubt that justice will be served in full measure.

• "the destroyer is coming against her, against Babylon": This phrase groups the agent of destruction with its specific target, reinforcing the directed nature of the prophecy. It is a precise pronouncement of doom.

• "and her warriors are taken; their bows are broken in pieces": These two clauses together paint a vivid picture of military humiliation and total incapacitation. The strongest elements of Babylon's defense are utterly negated, signifying an irreversible defeat orchestrated by God, not merely a tactical error.

• "for the Lord is a God of recompense; He will surely repay": This is the theological crux of the verse. It attributes Babylon's downfall not to random chance or mere human conflict, but to the righteous character of Yahweh. It assures the suffering exiles that divine justice will prevail, providing profound comfort and meaning to the devastating events. It defines the "destroyer" not as an ultimate force, but as an instrument of the true God of recompense.

Jeremiah 51 56 Bonus section

This verse not only addresses Babylon's fall but also provides enduring principles of divine justice. The title "El Gemulot" (God of Recompense) is significant, stressing a less frequently emphasized aspect of God's character alongside His love and mercy. It shows that God's patience is not indefinite and that He will ultimately hold nations accountable for their actions, particularly concerning the treatment of the vulnerable or His chosen people. The prophecy carries implications for all oppressive empires throughout history, indicating that worldly power structures are ultimately subservient to divine sovereignty and moral standards. The broken bow imagery transcends mere military defeat, signifying the permanent shattering of a nation's ability to exert its will through force, a powerful sign of utter subjugation and irreversible downfall. The specificity of Babylon as a recipient of this recompense establishes it as an archetype of the prideful and persecuting nation, a type picked up later in the New Testament with the "Mystery Babylon" in Revelation.

Jeremiah 51 56 Commentary

Jeremiah 51:56 succinctly encapsulates the heart of divine judgment against Babylon, framing it as an inevitable outcome rooted in God's essential character. The description of a "destroyer" assaulting Babylon and annihilating its military prowess—capturing warriors and breaking bows—vividly portrays the absolute and unpreventable nature of its fall. This is not simply a historical event but a divinely ordained act of justice. The explicit declaration that "the Lord is a God of recompense" removes all ambiguity about the source and reason for this devastation. It affirms Yahweh's commitment to moral order and His active intervention to correct wrongs, particularly the severe oppression inflicted by Babylon upon His people, Israel, and other nations. The promise "He will surely repay" assures the ultimate triumph of justice, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word and His righteous administration of the earth. This verse serves as a powerful theological statement: no power, however mighty, can defy the just and retributive hand of God indefinitely.