King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Bavel has suddenly fallen. She is broken; wail for her. Bring healing ointment for her wounds; perhaps she can be healed.
Berean Standard Bible:
Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.
American Standard Version:
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Babylon{H894} is suddenly{H6597} fallen{H5307} and destroyed{H7665}: howl{H3213} for her; take{H3947} balm{H6875} for her pain{H4341}, if so be she may be healed{H7495}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 21:9
- And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
Jeremiah 46:11
- Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured.
Revelation 14:8
- And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Revelation 18:2
- And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Jeremiah 48:20
- Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
Jeremiah 50:2
- Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
Isaiah 13:6
- ¶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
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Commentary for Jeremiah 51:8
Jeremiah 51:8 is part of the larger narrative within the book of Jeremiah, which is directed at the nation of Judah but also includes oracles against other nations, particularly Babylon. This verse is situated within a prophecy concerning the downfall of Babylon, which was the dominant world power at the time. The historical context is significant; Babylon had destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and had taken many Jews into exile. The verse reflects the dramatic reversal of fortune for Babylon, which had been a source of oppression for Judah.
The themes present in Jeremiah 51:8 include divine retribution and the impermanence of earthly power. Babylon, once mighty and seemingly invincible, is depicted as falling suddenly and irreversibly. The call to "howl for her" suggests a lamentation, indicating that the nations should mourn Babylon's destruction as a significant event with far-reaching consequences. The instruction to "take balm for her pain" is likely metaphorical, as it follows the imagery of Babylon's fall. It could be interpreted as a futile gesture, highlighting the hopelessness of Babylon's situation—despite the efforts to heal her, her destruction is inevitable and complete. This verse underscores the biblical theme that God is sovereign over the nations and their destinies, and that pride and wickedness will ultimately lead to downfall.
In summary, Jeremiah 51:8 captures the prophesied sudden and catastrophic collapse of Babylon, an event that would have profound implications for the ancient Near East. It calls for a recognition of Babylon's end, inviting the nations to mourn and acknowledging the futility of attempting to reverse the divine judgment that has befallen the once-great empire. This verse serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human power structures in the face of God's sovereignty.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H894
There are 233 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּבֶל
Transliteration: Bâbel
Pronunciation: baw-bel'
Description: from בָּלַל; confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire; Babel, Babylon. - Strong's Number: H6597
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פִּתְאוֹם
Transliteration: pithʼôwm
Pronunciation: pith-ome'
Description: or פִּתְאֹם; from פֶּתַע; instantly; straightway, sudden(-ly). - Strong's Number: H5307
There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָפַל
Transliteration: nâphal
Pronunciation: naw-fal'
Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. - Strong's Number: H7665
There are 145 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁבַר
Transliteration: shâbar
Pronunciation: shaw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for שָׂבַר). - Strong's Number: H3213
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַל
Transliteration: yâlal
Pronunciation: yaw-lal'
Description: a primitive root; to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one); (make to) howl, be howling. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H6875
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צְרִי
Transliteration: tsᵉrîy
Pronunciation: tser-ee'
Description: or צֳרִי; from an unused root meaning to crack (as by pressure), hence, to leak; distillation, i.e. balsam; balm. - Strong's Number: H4341
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַכְאֹב
Transliteration: makʼôb
Pronunciation: mak-obe'
Description: sometimes מַכְאוֹב; also (feminine Isaiah 53:3) מַכְאֹבָה; from כָּאַב; anguish or (figuratively) affliction; grief, pain, sorrow. - Strong's Number: H7495
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָפָא
Transliteration: râphâʼ
Pronunciation: raw-faw'
Description: or רָפָה; a primitive root; properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure; cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, [idiom] thoroughly, make whole. See רָפָה.