Jeremiah 51 58

Jeremiah 51:58 kjv

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.

Jeremiah 51:58 nkjv

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, And her high gates shall be burned with fire; The people will labor in vain, And the nations, because of the fire; And they shall be weary."

Jeremiah 51:58 niv

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Babylon's thick wall will be leveled and her high gates set on fire; the peoples exhaust themselves for nothing, the nations' labor is only fuel for the flames."

Jeremiah 51:58 esv

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: The broad wall of Babylon shall be leveled to the ground, and her high gates shall be burned with fire. The peoples labor for nothing, and the nations weary themselves only for fire."

Jeremiah 51:58 nlt

This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says:
"The thick walls of Babylon will be leveled to the ground,
and her massive gates will be burned.
The builders from many lands have worked in vain,
for their work will be destroyed by fire!"

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 58 Meaning

This verse speaks of the great destruction and enslavement that will befall Babylon, specifically focusing on the silencing of its boasts and the absence of any sounds of commercial or domestic life. It paints a picture of total desolation as a consequence of divine judgment.

Jeremiah 51 58 Context

Jeremiah 51 continues the prophetic denunciation of Babylon, a powerful empire that had subjugated Judah. The preceding verses detail the specific mechanisms of Babylon's destruction, including its invasion and capture by the Medes and Persians. This particular verse serves as a conclusion to the description of Babylon's fate, emphasizing the thoroughness of its downfall. The original audience, the Israelites, would have understood this prophecy as the fulfillment of God's justice against their oppressor. It’s a message of both severe judgment on Babylon and ultimate vindication for God's people.

Jeremiah 51 58 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A conjunctive particle, linking this verse to the preceding ones, showing the continuation of the divine decree.
• broad (רְחָבָה - rehavah): Refers to wide, spacious, ample. Here, it emphasizes the vastness of Babylon's domain and influence, making its destruction even more significant.
• inclosures (טִירֹת - tirôt): Refers to fortified places, towers, or dwellings. This highlights the physical structures of power and security that will be rendered useless.
• shall (וְהָיוּ - vehayu): Future tense of "to be." Indicates a certainty of the outcome.
• destroyed (הָרָס - haras): To break down, destroy, demolish. This verb signifies complete ruin.
• Thus (כֹּה - koh): "So," "thus." Introduces the consequence or statement of fact.
• shall (יֹאמַר - yo’mar): "Will say," "will be said." Suggests that this statement is the pronouncement of divine judgment or a recognition of Babylon's fate.
• I (אֲנִי - ani): Pronoun "I," emphasizing God's active role.
• will (אֶעֱשֶׂה - e'eseh): First-person singular future tense of "to do," "to make." "I will do."
• I (כֵּן - ken): "So," "thus."
• Babylon (בָּבֶל - Bavel): The capital city of the Babylonian empire.
• I (עָשִׂיתִי - asiti): First-person singular perfect tense of "to do," "to make." "I have done" or "I have made."
• she (מִמֶּנָּה - mimmennah): "From her," indicating something being removed or taken away from Babylon.
• They (וּבָטְחוּ - uvatchu): "And they trusted," or "and they relied on." This suggests the false confidence or security Babylon placed in its own might or false gods.
• shall (וְלֹא - velo): "And not." Introduces a negation.
• not (יִשְׁכְּנוּ - yishkenu): "They will dwell." The act of habitation or residing will cease.
• there (שָׁמָּה - shammah): "There," indicating the place, Babylon.
• any (עוֹד - 'od): "More," "again." Emphasizes the finality of the absence.
• more (הֵמָּה - hemmah): "They" or "them," referring back to the inhabitants or even the false gods of Babylon.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "broad enclosures": Refers to the expansive and fortified structures that characterized Babylon's defenses and grandeur, all of which will be broken down.
• "Thus I will say": A declarative statement of divine judgment. The "I" refers to the LORD.
• "I will do to her as she has done": The principle of retribution or poetic justice, where Babylon faces consequences mirroring its own actions of oppression and violence.
• "They shall not dwell there any more": A powerful declaration of depopulation and abandonment. The absence of habitation signifies complete destruction and the end of Babylon's presence and influence.

Jeremiah 51 58 Bonus Section

The concept of cities being utterly destroyed and rendered uninhabited echoes throughout Scripture, often as a sign of God's severe judgment against wickedness. This prophecy against Babylon can be seen as a foreshadowing of other divine judgments. The utter ruin described here aligns with imagery used for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and also for the final judgment upon apocalyptic Babylon in Revelation 18. The verse's focus on the cessation of dwelling underscores that the destruction is not just physical but also removes any possibility of resurgence or continued habitation. The specific mention of "broad enclosures" suggests that even Babylon's immense strength and security measures would prove futile against the might of God.

Jeremiah 51 58 Commentary

Jeremiah 51:58 powerfully concludes the prophecy against Babylon by asserting the absolute nature of its judgment. God declares His intent to dismantle its extensive fortified structures ("broad enclosures"), leaving them utterly ruined. This destruction is framed as divine retribution: God will do to Babylon what Babylon itself inflicted upon others. The ultimate consequence is that Babylon will be completely abandoned, with no one dwelling there anymore. This speaks to the finality of God's judgment on nations that defy Him and oppress His people. It's a vivid picture of desolation where the sounds of life, commerce, and even the resting places of its people are eradicated. The verse serves as a potent reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and His commitment to justice.