Jeremiah 51 7

Jeremiah 51:7 kjv

Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Jeremiah 51:7 nkjv

Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD's hand, That made all the earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; Therefore the nations are deranged.

Jeremiah 51:7 niv

Babylon was a gold cup in the LORD's hand; she made the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore they have now gone mad.

Jeremiah 51:7 esv

Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD's hand, making all the earth drunken; the nations drank of her wine; therefore the nations went mad.

Jeremiah 51:7 nlt

Babylon has been a gold cup in the LORD's hands,
a cup that made the whole earth drunk.
The nations drank Babylon's wine,
and it drove them all mad.

Jeremiah 51 7 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Jer 50:28The LORD proclaims vengeance on BabylonEchoes judgment theme
Jer 51:7Babylon…hath made all the earth drunkenPrimary text
Rev 14:8Babylon…is fallen, is fallen, that great cityNew Testament fulfillment
Rev 17:2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornicationSymbolic of corruption
Rev 17:4A golden cup full of abominations and filthiness of her fornicationDirect parallel in imagery
Rev 18:3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornicationReinforces universal impact
Isa 21:4My heart panted, fearfulness hath made me afraidJeremiah's personal response
Hab 2:15-16Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink…that putteth thy bottle to himGod's displeasure with influence
Psa 75:8For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup…the wine is red…he poureth out of the sameGod's sovereignty in judgment
Gal 6:7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reapPrinciple of reaping consequences
1 Cor 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to manTemptation's pervasive nature
2 Thes 2:11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lieGod's action in judgment
Eze 23:31-34You have drunk of your sister Samaria's cupIsrael's spiritual adultery
Isa 51:17, 22Jerusalem trembles from the Lord's handShared imagery of judgment
Jer 25:15-16Take the winecup of this fury at my handGod's instrument of wrath
Jer 48:26Make her drunkenJudgment on Moab
Nahum 3:4Whoremongers…sale the inhabitants thereofBabylon's moral corruption
Rom 1:21-25They became vain in their imaginations…and worshipped the creature more than the CreatorGeneral idolatry and corruption
1 John 5:19We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickednessWorld's state under sin
Rev 19:2For true and righteous are his judgmentsBasis for judgment
Rev 17:5And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the great, The mother of harlots and abominations of the earthBabylon's symbolic identity

Jeremiah 51 verses

Jeremiah 51 7 Meaning

Jeremiah 51:7 declares that Babylon has become a "golden cup" in the Lord's hand, intoxicating all nations with its impurity and corrupting influence. This imagery signifies that Babylon, though appearing grand and valuable, served as an instrument of God's judgment, causing widespread moral and spiritual intoxication among those who followed its ways.

Jeremiah 51 7 Context

Jeremiah 51 continues the prophecy against Babylon, following chapter 50's announcement of its impending doom. Jeremiah is tasked by God to deliver this message of judgment, which serves as a consequence for Babylon's oppressive rule over Israel and its idolatrous practices. Historically, Babylon, particularly under Nebuchadnezzar and his successors, had been a dominant superpower in the ancient Near East, responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people. This prophecy, delivered during the Babylonian captivity, would have offered both a stern warning to the captors and a message of hope for the oppressed Israelites, assuring them that God would eventually judge their oppressors and restore them. The imagery of the "golden cup" highlights Babylon's allure and perceived invincibility, which ultimately masked its deep-seated corruption and vulnerability to God's wrath.

Jeremiah 51 7 Word Analysis

  • Jerusalem: While not explicitly in this verse, it's the referent nation for whom this prophecy is made.
  • Babylon: The empire, symbolizing world power opposed to God, and a source of spiritual and moral corruption.
  • was: Indicates a state or condition.
  • a golden cup: Symbolizes something outwardly precious, attractive, and desirable, but internally filled with something harmful. In ancient times, valuable cups were used for celebratory feasts and potent drinks.
  • in: Within, contained by.
  • mine hand: Referring to God's hand, indicating divine agency and control over the events.
  • upon: Resting on, influencing.
  • all: Every, the entirety of.
  • the earth: All nations, humanity in general.
  • drunken: In a state of stupor, confusion, and irrationality due to intoxication, leading to morally compromised behavior.
  • therefore: Consequently, as a result.
  • the nations: Peoples, kingdoms, gentile nations.
  • have drunk: Actively participated in and been affected by the intoxication.
  • of: From, out of.
  • her wine: The influence, teachings, corrupting practices, and intoxicating allure of Babylon.

Word Group Analysis

  • "a golden cup in mine hand": This powerful metaphor emphasizes that God sovereignly uses even outwardly impressive but morally corrupt entities (like Babylon) as instruments for His judgments upon the nations. The "gold" suggests a deceptive veneer of power or desirability, while the "cup" implies a vessel through which God administers His wrath or consequences.
  • "made all the earth drunken": This phrase conveys the pervasive and destructive influence of Babylon's system—its idolatry, political oppression, economic exploitation, and moral corruption—which had a widespread effect on the nations, leading them astray from true worship and righteousness. The "drunkenness" signifies spiritual stupor, loss of discernment, and complicity in sin.

Jeremiah 51 7 Bonus Section

The imagery of the "golden cup" is rich and echoes throughout Scripture. It speaks to the seductive nature of worldly power and influence, which often disguises itself in appealing forms but leads to spiritual downfall. The concept of divine judgment administered through human instruments is a recurring theme, demonstrating that God works through history to achieve His purposes, even using ungodly nations for His inscrutable plans. The verse highlights that complicity in sin, even if through being influenced by another's corrupt system, brings a measure of accountability. The intoxication signifies a loss of clarity and moral compass, making nations susceptible to further sin and ultimately deserving of God's judgment.

Jeremiah 51 7 Commentary

Jeremiah 51:7 vividly portrays Babylon as an instrument of divine judgment. The "golden cup" symbolizes Babylon's external splendor and power, which attracted and influenced many nations. However, this outward attractiveness concealed its internal spiritual pollution and corrupt practices, which like a potent wine, led other nations into moral and spiritual intoxication. This intoxication represents a departure from God, embracing idolatry, oppression, and other forms of sin. The verse emphasizes God's sovereignty; He uses Babylon to judge others, and in turn, Babylon itself will face judgment for its actions. The concept of the "wine of wrath" is also present, showing how God uses a nation or entity to administer justice, often reflecting their own sins back upon them in a magnified way. This serves as a perpetual warning against cultural assimilation that leads to spiritual compromise.