Jeremiah 50:10

KJV

And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Chaldea {H3778} shall be a spoil {H7998}: all that spoil {H7997} her shall be satisfied {H7646}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The land of the Kasdim will be plundered; all who plunder it will get enough," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Chaldea will be plundered; all who plunder her will have their fill,” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

And Chaldea shall be a prey: all that prey upon her shall be satisfied, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:10 delivers a potent prophetic declaration concerning the impending judgment upon Babylon, here referred to as "Chaldea." This verse foretells that the mighty empire, which had ruthlessly plundered Judah and other nations, would itself become a target for plunder. The declaration emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Babylon's desolation, asserting that those who despoil her will be thoroughly satisfied, signifying a complete reversal of fortunes, all divinely ordained by the LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 50:10 is embedded within a significant prophetic oracle found in [Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon"). This extensive section is entirely dedicated to foretelling the destruction of Babylon, a dominant world power that had conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and exiled the Jewish people. This particular verse forms part of a broader declaration of judgment, detailing the specific fate of Chaldea. It follows pronouncements of Babylon's humiliation and the call for nations to gather against her, setting the stage for the complete plundering described here. The immediate verses in [Jeremiah 50](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50 - The Fall of Babylon") speak of Babylon's desolation and the return of Israel and Judah, making this verse a crucial link in the narrative of divine retribution and restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy, Babylon (Chaldea) was the undisputed superpower of the ancient Near East, having risen to prominence under Nebuchadnezzar II. The Babylonian Empire was responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people, an event vividly recounted in passages like [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). Chaldea, a region within southern Mesopotamia, was the heartland of this empire, renowned for its wealth, military might, and advanced civilization. The prophecy of its downfall would have been astounding and counter-intuitive to contemporary observers, as Babylon seemed invincible. For the exiled Israelites, this message was a profound source of hope and reassurance, promising that their oppressor would not go unpunished and that God remained sovereign over the nations, even in their darkest hour.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, illustrating God's righteous judgment against nations that act with arrogance and cruelty, especially those who oppress His people. Babylon, having reaped what it sowed, faces a just recompense, a principle echoed in [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty Over Nations**, demonstrating that no earthly power, no matter how formidable, is beyond the reach of His ultimate authority. The declaration "saith the LORD" serves as a divine seal, affirming that the rise and fall of empires are ultimately orchestrated by God, who "removes kings and sets up kings" as seen in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). Lastly, it offers **Comfort and Hope for the Oppressed**, assuring the exiled Israelites that their period of suffering under Babylon would indeed end, and their oppressors would face their just desserts, providing a beacon of hope amidst despair, a hope also found in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chaldea (Hebrew, _Kasdîy'_):** Refers to the region of Babylonia and its inhabitants, the Chaldeans. Historically, they were a Semitic people who settled in southern Mesopotamia and eventually founded the Neo-Babylonian Empire. In prophetic literature, "Chaldea" often serves as a metonym for Babylon itself, representing the oppressive empire that brought Judah into exile. The term also carried connotations of astrological practices, for which the Chaldeans were famous.
* **spoil (Hebrew, _shâlâl'_):** This noun refers to plunder, booty, or prey taken in war. It signifies the spoils of conquest, the material wealth, and possessions seized from a defeated enemy. Its use here indicates that Chaldea, which had accumulated vast wealth through its own conquests, would itself become the source of immense plunder for its conquerors.
* **satisfied (Hebrew, _sâbaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to sate," or "fill to satisfaction." It conveys the idea of having enough, being completely full, or having plenty. In this context, it emphasizes the thoroughness and abundance of the plunder that would be taken from Babylon, implying that the attackers would find more than enough to satisfy their greed and desires.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Chaldea shall be a spoil":** This opening clause declares the inevitable fate of the Babylonian Empire. Chaldea, the powerful and wealthy nation, is prophesied to become a mere object of plunder. This signifies a complete reversal of its prior role as the plundering aggressor, highlighting its downfall from a position of dominance to one of vulnerability and desolation.
* **"all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.":** This second clause amplifies the extent of Chaldea's desolation. It asserts that those who come to plunder Babylon will find such an abundance of wealth and resources that they will be completely satisfied, indicating a thorough and comprehensive despoiling. The concluding phrase, "saith the LORD," serves as a divine authentication of the prophecy, emphasizing that this is not a mere human prediction but a certain decree from the sovereign God, guaranteeing its fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is evident in the use of the root word for "spoil" (Hebrew: *shâlal* and *shâlâl*), which appears as both a noun ("spoil") and a verb ("spoil her"). This repetition powerfully emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Babylon's impending plundering, underscoring that the empire, which once plundered others, will itself be thoroughly plundered. The phrase "all that spoil her shall be satisfied" uses **Hyperbole** to convey the immense wealth and abundance of plunder available, suggesting an overwhelming amount that would fully satiate the attackers. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "saith the LORD," functions as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, lending absolute authority and certainty to the prophecy. This formula transforms the statement from a human prediction into an infallible divine decree, reinforcing God's ultimate sovereignty over historical events and the fate of nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:10 is a profound statement on divine justice and the ultimate accountability of nations before God. It reveals God's active involvement in human history, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires according to His righteous purposes. The prophecy against Babylon serves as a powerful reminder that no earthly power, however mighty or seemingly invincible, is beyond God's judgment. It underscores the principle that those who sow injustice and oppression will ultimately reap destruction, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to upholding righteousness and delivering His people from their oppressors. This verse, therefore, offers both a solemn warning to the proud and a comforting assurance to the afflicted, affirming that God sees all and will bring about His perfect justice in due time.

* [Isaiah 13:1-22](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon") - A detailed prophecy of Babylon's destruction, echoing similar themes of desolation and divine judgment.
* [Revelation 18:2-8](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2-8 - The Fall of Babylon the Great") - Describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic representation of all oppressive, anti-God systems, which will be plundered and destroyed for its sins.
* [Psalm 137:8-9](/psalm/137-8 "Psalm 137:8-9 - Vengeance on Babylon") - Expresses a longing for divine retribution against Babylon for its cruelty to Jerusalem, reflecting the satisfaction of justice described in Jeremiah 50:10.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:10 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God remains sovereign over all earthly powers and that His justice will ultimately prevail. In a world often marked by injustice, oppression, and the apparent triumph of the wicked, this verse serves as a powerful anchor for our faith. It calls us to trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to righteousness, even when His justice seems delayed. We are encouraged to persevere in prayer for justice, knowing that the LORD sees the suffering of His people and will ultimately bring down those systems and individuals that operate outside of His will. Conversely, this passage serves as a solemn warning against pride, arrogance, and the abuse of power. It reminds us that every nation, every leader, and indeed every individual will ultimately give an account to the sovereign God, and those who build their dominion on oppression will face His righteous judgment. Our call, then, is to align ourselves with God's justice, to champion the cause of the oppressed, and to live with humility, knowing that true satisfaction comes not from plundering others, but from living in accordance with God's righteous ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment on oppressive powers like Babylon strengthen your faith in His ultimate justice today?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be tempted to "spoil" or exploit others, and how does this verse warn against such actions?**
* **How can the promise of "satisfaction" for those who spoil Babylon be understood in a spiritual sense for believers awaiting Christ's return and the final defeat of evil?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Chaldea" in this verse, and why is it used instead of "Babylon"?**

Answer: "Chaldea" (Hebrew: *Kasdîy*) refers specifically to the region in southern Mesopotamia where the Chaldean people lived, who founded the Neo-Babylonian Empire. It is often used interchangeably with "Babylon" in prophetic texts, serving as a metonym for the entire empire. The use of "Chaldea" emphasizes the ethnic and geographical heartland of the empire, highlighting that the very core of their power and identity would be subjected to plunder. It underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment, targeting not just the city but the people and their territory, as seen in other prophecies against Babylon in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon").

**How does "all that spoil her shall be satisfied" relate to divine justice?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the principle of *lex talionis* (law of retaliation) or "reaping what you sow" in a national context. Babylon had amassed immense wealth and power through plundering other nations, including Judah, as detailed in [2 Kings 24-25](/2_kings/24 "2 Kings 24-25 - Judah's Fall to Babylon"). The prophecy declares that Babylon's own fate will be a reversal of its actions: it will become the spoil, and its conquerors will be "satisfied" with the abundance of plunder. This demonstrates God's righteous judgment, where the punishment perfectly fits the crime, assuring that the oppressor will face the same fate they inflicted upon others, a theme found throughout biblical justice, such as in [Psalm 137:8](/psalm/137-8 "Psalm 137:8 - Justice for Babylon").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 50:10 directly prophesies the historical downfall of ancient Babylon, its theological trajectory finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate defeat of all spiritual opposition and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Babylon, in its historical context, represented a powerful, oppressive, and idolatrous world system that stood against God's people. In the New Testament, particularly in [Revelation 17-18](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Prostitute") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon the Great"), "Babylon the Great" becomes a symbolic representation of all anti-God systems, human rebellion, and spiritual oppression that will ultimately be judged and destroyed. Just as ancient Chaldea was plundered and its conquerors "satisfied," so too will the spiritual Babylon be utterly despoiled and defeated by the righteous judgment of God, executed through Christ. The "satisfaction" of those who spoil her points to the complete and decisive victory of Christ over sin, death, and all evil powers. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His return will usher in the final plundering of all evil, leading to the full and eternal satisfaction of His redeemed people, who will inherit His glorious kingdom, where true peace and justice reign forever ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 25:12

And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, [that] I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.

Isaiah 33:4

And your spoil shall be gathered [like] the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.

Isaiah 33:23

Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

Jeremiah 27:7

And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.

Isaiah 45:3

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel.

Revelation 17:16

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.