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Judgment on Babylon
Jeremiah 51:1–14 announces judgment on Babylon in prophetic language. The passage speaks of Yahweh raising enemies, calling people to flee, and declaring that Babylon’s power, wealth and influence will not keep it from the judgment he has purposed.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh speaks against Babylon and those who live there. The words move between commands, warnings and declarations about what Yahweh will do. The passage also mentions Israel and Judah, saying they are not forsaken by their God even though their land is full of guilt.
Jeremiah 51:1–14Main takeaway
Jeremiah 51:1–14 teaches that Yahweh has purposed judgment on Babylon, while still declaring that Israel and Judah are not forsaken by him.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A destroying wind against BabylonThe passage opens with Yahweh saying he will raise up “a destroying wind” against Babylon.
Explanation
The passage opens with Yahweh saying he will raise up “a destroying wind” against Babylon. He will send “strangers” to winnow and empty her land, like grain being scattered and cleared. The language shows a thorough judgment coming from all around, including defeat for Babylon’s army and deaths in her land and streets.
02Not forsaken, yet warned to fleeVerse 5 balances judgment on Babylon with a word about God’s people. Israel and Judah are “not forsaken” by Yahweh of Armies, even though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.
Explanation
Verse 5 balances judgment on Babylon with a word about God’s people. Israel and Judah are “not forsaken” by Yahweh of Armies, even though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel. Then comes a warning to flee Babylon, so people are not cut off in her iniquity when Yahweh repays her.
03Babylon’s influence and sudden fallBabylon is pictured as “a golden cup” in Yahweh’s hand, making the nations drunk and mad. This image describes powerful influence, but not lasting safety.
Explanation
Babylon is pictured as “a golden cup” in Yahweh’s hand, making the nations drunk and mad. This image describes powerful influence, but not lasting safety. Babylon then falls “suddenly”. People cry out, speak of balm, and admit she cannot be healed. Her judgment is said to reach to heaven and the skies.
04Yahweh’s purpose will be carried outThe passage turns to declaring Yahweh’s work in Zion and preparing for Babylon’s downfall.
Explanation
The passage turns to declaring Yahweh’s work in Zion and preparing for Babylon’s downfall. The kings of the Medes are stirred up because Yahweh’s purpose is to destroy Babylon, called vengeance for his temple. Babylon’s walls, treasures and location on many waters will not prevent her end, because Yahweh has spoken and sworn it.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What pictures are used to describe Babylon’s judgment at the start of the passage?
Look for the images of a “destroying wind”, winnowing, emptied land, archers and the fallen in Babylon’s streets, and consider what they show about the scale of judgment.
02How does verse 5 shape the way we read the warning to flee Babylon in verse 6?
Notice that Israel and Judah are said to be “not forsaken” by God, while Babylon faces recompense for iniquity.
03What do verses 7–14 say about Babylon’s power compared with Yahweh’s purpose?
Trace the contrast between Babylon as a golden cup with many treasures and the repeated statement that Yahweh has purposed, spoken and sworn her end.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 51:1–14
1Yahweh says: “Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against those who dwell in Lebkamai, a destroying wind.
2I will send to Babylon strangers, who will winnow her. They will empty her land; for in the day of trouble they will be against her all around.
3Against him who bends, let the archer bend his bow, also against him who lifts himself up in his coat of mail. Don’t spare her young men! Utterly destroy all her army!
4They will fall down slain in the land of the Chaldeans, and thrust through in her streets.
5For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, by his God, by Yahweh of Armies; though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.
6“Flee out of the middle of Babylon! Everyone save his own life! Don’t be cut off in her iniquity, for it is the time of Yahweh’s vengeance. He will give to her a recompense.
7Babylon has been a golden cup in Yahweh’s hand, who made all the earth drunk. The nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad.
8Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed! Wail for her! Take balm for her pain. Perhaps she may be healed.
9“We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. Forsake her, and let’s each go into his own country; for her judgment reaches to heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
10‘Yahweh has produced our righteousness. Come, and let’s declare in Zion the work of Yahweh our God.’
11“Make the arrows sharp! Hold the shields firmly! Yahweh has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it; for it is the vengeance of Yahweh, the vengeance of his temple.
12Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon! Make the watch strong! Set the watchmen, and prepare the ambushes; for Yahweh has both purposed and done that which he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.
13You who dwell on many waters, abundant in treasures, your end has come, the measure of your covetousness.
14Yahweh of Armies has sworn by himself, saying, ‘Surely I will fill you with men, as with locusts, and they will lift up a shout against you.’