Jeremiah 50:11

Translation
King James Version
Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;
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KJV (with Strong's)
Because ye were glad H8055, because ye rejoiced H5937, O ye destroyers H8154 of mine heritage H5159, because ye are grown fat H6335 as the heifer H5697 at grass H1877 H1758, and bellow H6670 as bulls H47;
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Complete Jewish Bible
"Because you are glad, because you exult, you plunderers of my heritage; because you frisk like a calf in the grass and neigh like stallions;
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Berean Standard Bible
“Because you rejoice, because you sing in triumph— you who plunder My inheritance— because you frolic like a heifer treading grain and neigh like stallions,
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American Standard Version
Because ye are glad, because ye rejoice, O ye that plunder my heritage, because ye are wanton as a heifer that treadeth out the grain, and neigh as strong horses;
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World English Bible Messianic
Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong horses;
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Because yee were glad and reioyced in destroying mine heritage, and because ye are growen fatte, as the calues in the grasse, and neied like strong horses,
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Young's Literal Translation
Because thou rejoicest, because thou exultest, O spoilers of Mine inheritance, Because thou increasest as a heifer at the tender grass, And dost cry aloud as bulls,
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See also
Isaiah 47:6Jeremiah 46:21Jeremiah 50:17Psalms 83:1Psalms 83:5Ezekiel 26:2Ezekiel 26:3
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Prophecy Against Babylon
Prophecy Against Babylon View full PDF

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In the KJVVerse 20,178 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Jeremiah 50:11 delivers a scathing prophetic indictment against Babylon, portraying their unholy glee and arrogant celebration over the destruction of God's heritage, Judah. The verse vividly depicts Babylon's excessive pride and unrestrained cruelty, likening their self-satisfied revelry to a well-fed heifer grazing contentedly and a bull bellowing triumphantly, thereby sealing their own fate for divine judgment.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is situated within Jeremiah chapters 50-51, a significant prophetic oracle dedicated entirely to the impending judgment and downfall of Babylon, the dominant world power of Jeremiah's time. These chapters stand in stark contrast to earlier prophecies where Babylon was presented as God's chosen instrument for disciplining Judah, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 25:9. Here, however, the focus shifts to Babylon's accountability for its own hubris and excessive cruelty, particularly in its treatment of God's people. The immediate verses preceding Jeremiah 50:11 describe the complete desolation that will befall Babylon, setting the stage for the reasons behind this severe judgment. The subsequent verses continue to detail the extent of Babylon's destruction and the liberation of Israel, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The historical backdrop is the Babylonian Empire's conquest of Judah, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC, and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people. Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, was the undisputed superpower, known for its military might, architectural grandeur, and often brutal subjugation of conquered peoples. Culturally, the imagery of "heifer at grass" and "bellow as bulls" draws from an agrarian society, where well-fed livestock symbolized prosperity and unbridled strength. The "heritage" (Hebrew: nachălâh) refers specifically to Israel, God's chosen people and the land He had given them, emphasizing the sacredness of what Babylon had desecrated. Babylon's rejoicing was not merely military triumph but a celebratory gloating over the downfall of a nation with a unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, a transgression that God would not overlook.
  • Key Themes: Jeremiah 50:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and biblical prophecy. Foremost is the theme of Divine Justice and Retribution, highlighting that even nations used by God for His purposes are not exempt from judgment when they act with excessive pride, cruelty, and disregard for His principles. Babylon's "gladness" and "rejoicing" in the destruction of "mine heritage" underscore their Arrogant Triumph and Oppression, revealing a heart devoid of mercy and filled with hubris. This unchecked prosperity leading to spiritual insensitivity is captured by the metaphor of being "grown fat," a common biblical motif for Prosperity Breeding Pride and Complacency, echoing warnings found in passages like Proverbs 16:18. The "bellowing as bulls" further emphasizes their Boisterous Arrogance and Unrestrained Exultation, a public display of power and contempt that ultimately draws God's wrath. The verse thus serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His people and His ultimate accountability for all nations.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Glad (Hebrew, sâmach', H8055): This primitive root means "to brighten up," and figuratively, "to be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome." In this context, it describes Babylon's internal state of joy and cheerfulness derived from the destruction of Judah. It's not just a passive feeling but an active delight in the misfortune of God's people, indicating a profound lack of empathy and a perverse satisfaction in their role as instruments of destruction.
  • Destroyers (Hebrew, shâçâh', H8154): This primitive root means "to plunder" or "to spoil." The term "destroyers" (specifically, "spoilers" or "plunderers") accurately describes Babylon's actions against Judah. It emphasizes their violent, predatory nature, not merely as conquerors but as those who ruthlessly despoiled and laid waste to God's "heritage" (Israel), going beyond the bounds of divine commission into wanton devastation.
  • Bellow (Hebrew, tsâhal', H6670): This primitive root means "to gleam," and figuratively, "to be cheerful." By transference, it refers to sounding clear, often used for various animal or human expressions like neighing or shouting. Here, applied to bulls, it signifies a loud, unrestrained, and triumphant cry, indicative of their overwhelming power, boastful exultation, and lack of humility. It's a raw, animalistic expression of their unbridled arrogance and perceived invincibility.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced": This opening clause establishes the core accusation against Babylon: their internal state of malicious joy. The repetition emphasizes the intensity and deliberateness of their unholy elation over Judah's suffering. It highlights that their sin was not merely the act of conquest, but the perverse pleasure derived from it.
  • "O ye destroyers of mine heritage": This is a direct address to Babylon, identifying them by their destructive role. "Mine heritage" refers to Israel, God's chosen people and land, underscoring the sacrilege of Babylon's actions. It implies that while God used Babylon, their destructive zeal and plundering went beyond divine instruction, becoming an attack on what God held sacred.
  • "because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass": This vivid metaphor illustrates Babylon's unchecked prosperity and indulgence. Like a heifer that has grazed abundantly and become plump, Babylon had grown powerful, wealthy, and complacent. This "fatness" signifies not only material abundance but also a spiritual dullness and arrogance that comes from unchallenged power and luxury, leading to insensitivity to God's will and the suffering of others.
  • "and bellow as bulls;": This final clause extends the animalistic metaphor, depicting Babylon's loud, boastful, and unrestrained celebration of their conquest. The "bellowing" of bulls suggests a powerful, aggressive, and uninhibited expression of triumph, demonstrating their overwhelming might and their audacious disregard for God's sovereignty. It signifies their public display of arrogance and their perceived invincibility.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 50:11 is rich in Metaphor and Simile, primarily comparing Babylon to well-fed livestock. The phrases "grown fat as the heifer at grass" and "bellow as bulls" are powerful Similes that convey Babylon's prosperity, arrogance, and unrestrained exultation. The "heifer at grass" symbolizes their unchecked indulgence and complacency due to their abundant conquests, while the "bellowing bulls" represent their loud, aggressive, and unbridled triumph. This use of animal imagery also functions as Zoomorphism, attributing animalistic characteristics to a human empire, emphasizing their base, unspiritual, and unthinking pride. The repeated "Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced" employs Repetition for emphasis, underscoring the depth of Babylon's malicious joy. The direct address, "O ye destroyers of mine heritage," is an example of Apostrophe, directly confronting Babylon and highlighting their sacrilegious actions against God's chosen people. Furthermore, there is a strong element of Irony, as Babylon, initially God's instrument of judgment, now becomes the object of divine judgment due to its own excessive pride and cruelty, demonstrating that God holds all nations accountable.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse powerfully articulates the biblical principle that God holds nations accountable for their actions, particularly when they oppress His people and revel in their suffering. While God may use earthly powers as instruments of divine discipline, He does not condone their cruelty, pride, or self-aggrandizement. Babylon's "gladness" and "rejoicing" in the destruction of God's "heritage" reveal a profound moral corruption and a spirit of hubris that inevitably draws divine wrath. This serves as a timeless warning against deriving satisfaction from the misfortune of others and against allowing prosperity to breed arrogance and spiritual insensitivity. God's justice is not only for His people but extends to all who defy His moral order and oppress the vulnerable.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 50:11 offers profound lessons for individuals and communities today. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any trace of schadenfreude – the pleasure derived from others' misfortune. In a world often marked by division and conflict, it is easy to rejoice when those we oppose stumble or suffer. This verse reminds us that such attitudes are an affront to a compassionate God, especially when directed at those who are vulnerable or suffering. Furthermore, it warns against the insidious dangers of unchecked prosperity and power. When we or our nations become "fat" with success, there is a temptation to grow complacent, arrogant, and insensitive to divine principles and the needs of others. True prosperity, whether personal or national, should lead to greater humility, generosity, and responsibility, not to boastful "bellowing." Ultimately, this passage calls us to cultivate humility, empathy, and a deep awareness that all authority and blessings come from God, to be stewarded for His glory and the good of all, never for destructive gloating or oppression.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what ways might I, or my community, be tempted to derive satisfaction from the misfortunes or struggles of others?
  • How can prosperity or success subtly lead to arrogance, complacency, or insensitivity in my own life?
  • What does it mean to truly mourn with those who mourn, rather than rejoice in their downfall, even if they are perceived as adversaries?
  • How can I ensure that any power or influence I possess is used responsibly and compassionately, reflecting God's character rather than worldly pride?

FAQ

Why was Babylon judged if they were God's instrument for punishing Judah?

Answer: While God indeed used Babylon as an instrument of His judgment against Judah's sin (as prophesied in Jeremiah 25:9), Babylon's own actions went beyond divine commission. They acted with excessive cruelty, pride, and an unholy glee in the destruction of God's "heritage." God holds all nations accountable for their moral choices, even those He uses. Babylon's sin was not merely conquest, but their motives and methods, particularly their arrogant rejoicing and plundering, which demonstrated a lack of mercy and a defiance of God's ultimate sovereignty. This principle is consistent throughout scripture, where God judges nations for their wickedness, as seen in the prophecies against other nations in Isaiah 13-23.

What does "mine heritage" specifically refer to in this verse?

Answer: "Mine heritage" (Hebrew: nachălâh) refers specifically to Israel, God's chosen people, and by extension, the land of Judah and Jerusalem. This term emphasizes the special covenant relationship God had with Israel, viewing them as His treasured possession, His inheritance. Babylon's destruction of Judah was not just a geopolitical conquest; it was an assault on what God considered His own sacred possession. This highlights the severity of Babylon's sin—they were not merely conquering a nation, but gleefully devastating God's beloved people and land.

How does this verse apply to modern nations or individuals today?

Answer: Jeremiah 50:11 offers timeless principles. For nations, it warns against the dangers of unchecked power, imperialistic ambition, and the temptation to gloat over the downfall of others. It reminds leaders that ultimate accountability rests with God, who judges nations for their pride, injustice, and cruelty. For individuals, it serves as a powerful caution against schadenfreude—taking pleasure in others' misfortunes. It also warns against allowing personal prosperity or success to breed arrogance, spiritual insensitivity, or a lack of compassion. The verse encourages humility, empathy, and a recognition that all blessings and power come from God and should be used to honor Him and serve others, not to oppress or boastfully celebrate.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Jeremiah 50:11, with its vivid portrayal of Babylon's arrogant triumph and impending judgment, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate victory of Jesus over all oppressive powers and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Babylon, as the epitome of worldly power, pride, and anti-God rebellion, foreshadows the spiritual forces of darkness and the "Babylon" of Revelation that opposes Christ and His people. Just as ancient Babylon rejoiced in the destruction of God's "heritage" (Israel), so too do the forces of evil seek to destroy God's new covenant people, the Church, and gloat over their perceived weaknesses. However, the New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ, the true King, has already triumphed over "every rule and authority and power and dominion" (Colossians 2:15). His cross, which seemed like a defeat, was actually the decisive victory over sin, death, and the devil. The "bellowing" of Babylon's pride is silenced by the quiet, yet infinitely powerful, Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Ultimately, the "heritage" that Babylon sought to destroy is not merely physical Israel, but the spiritual Israel—the Church—which Christ purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). The final judgment on Babylon in Revelation (Revelation 18:2) is the ultimate vindication of God's justice against all who oppose Him and oppress His people, culminating in the reign of Christ, where all pride is abased and His kingdom of righteousness and peace prevails forever (Revelation 11:15).

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Commentary on Jeremiah 50 verses 9–20

God is here by his prophet, as afterwards in his providence, proceeding in his controversy with Babylon. Observe,

I. The commission and charge given to the instruments that were to be employed in destroying Babylon. The army that is to do it is called an assembly of great nations (Jer 50:9), the Medes and Persians, and all their allies and auxiliaries; it is called an assembly, because regularly formed by the divine will and counsel to do this execution. God will raise them up to do it, will incline them to and fir them for this service, and then he will cause them to come up, for all their motions are under his conduct and direction: he shall give the word of command, shall order them to put themselves in array against Babylon (Jer 50:14), and then they shall put themselves in array (Jer 50:9), for what God appoints to be done shall be done; and thence she shall be quickly taken; from their first sitting down before it they shall be still gaining ground against it till it be taken. God shall bid them shoot at her and spare no arrows (Jer 50:14), and then their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man, that has both skill and strength, a good eye and a good hand (Jer 50:9); none shall return in vain. When God gives commission he will give success. Nay, they are bidden not only to shoot at her (Jer 50:14), but to shout against her (Jer 50:15) with a triumphant shout, as those that are already sure of victory. Those whom God directs to shoot may do so with shouting, for they are sure not to miss the mark.

II. The desolation and destruction itself that shall be brought upon Babylon. This is here set forth in a great variety of expressions. 1. The wealth of Babylon shall be a rich and easy prey to the conquerors (Jer 50:10): Chaldea shall be a spoil to all her destroyers, who shall enrich themselves by plundering her, and, which is strange, all that spoil her shall be satisfied; they shall have so much that even they themselves shall say that they have enough. 2. The country of Babylon shall be depopulated and lie uninhabited: It shall be wholly desolate (Jer 50:13) to such a degree that every one who goes by shall triumph in her fall, and, instead of condoling with them, shall hiss at all her plagues, Jer 50:13. 3. Their ancestors shall be ashamed of their cowardice, in fleeing from the first onset (Jer 50:12), or, Your mother, Babylon itself, the mother-city, shall be confounded, when she sees herself deserted by those that should have been her guards. Thus the former ages of Christians may justly be confounded and ashamed to see how unlike them the latter ages are, and how wretchedly they have degenerated; and no sin brings a surer and sorer ruin upon persons, or people, than apostasy. 4. The great admirers of Babylon shall see it rendered very despicable: the last of kingdoms, the very tail of the nations, shall it be, a wilderness, a dry land, a desert, Jer 50:12. The country that was populous shall be dispeopled, that was enriched with a fertile soil shall become barren. 5. The great city, the head of it, shall be quite ruined. Her foundations have fallen, and therefore her walls are thrown down; for how can the walls stand when divine vengeance is at the door and shakes the very foundations? It is the vengeance of the Lord, which nothing can contend with either in law or battle. 6. There shall not be left in Babylon so much as the poor of the land, for vine-dressers and husbandmen, as there was in Israel (Jer 50:16): The sower shall be cut off from Babylon, and he that handles the sickle; the country shall be so emptied of people that there shall be none to till the ground and gather in the fruits of it. Harvest shall come, and there shall be no reapers; seed-time shall come, but there shall be no sower; God will do his part, but there shall be no men to do theirs. 7. All their auxiliary forces, which they have hired into their service, shall ??desert them, as mercenary men often do upon the approach of danger (Jer 50:16): For fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people. This was threatened before concerning Egypt, Jer 46:16.

III. The procuring provoking cause of this destruction. It comes from God's displeasure; it is because of the wrath of the Lord that Babylon shall be wholly desolate (Jer 50:13), and his wrath is righteous, for (Jer 50:14) she hath sinned against the Lord, therefore spare no arrows. Note, It is sin that makes men a mark for the arrows of God's judgments. An abundance of idolatry and immorality was to be found in Babylon, yet those are not mentioned as the reason of God's displeasure against them, but the injuries they had done to the people of God, from a principle of enmity to them as his people. They have been the destroyers of God's heritage (Jer 50:11); herein indeed God made use of them for the necessary correction of his people, and yet it is laid to their charge as a heinous crime, because they designed nothing but their utter destruction. 1. What they did against Jerusalem they did with pleasure (Jer 50:11): You were glad, you rejoice. God does not afflict his people willingly, and therefore takes it very ill if the instruments he employs afflict them willingly. When Titus Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem he wept over it, but these Chaldeans triumphed over it. 2. The spoils of Jerusalem they made use of to feed their own luxury: "You have grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; your having conquered Jerusalem has made you very wanton and proud, easy to yourselves and formidable to all about you, and therefore you must be a spoil." Those that have thus swallowed down riches must vomit them up again. Therefore they have given their hand (Jer 50:15); they have surrendered themselves to the conqueror, have tamely yielded so that now you may take vengeance on her, now you may make reprisals and do unto her as she hath done. 3. They aimed at nothing less than the utter ruin of God's Israel: Israel is a scattered sheep, as before (Jer 50:6), that is not only barked at and worried by dogs, but even lions, the most potent adversaries, have roared upon him and driven him away, Jer 50:17. One king of Assyria carried the ten tribes quite away and devoured them; another invaded Judah, and plundered and impoverished it, tore the fleece and flesh of this poor sheep; and now at last this Nebuchadnezzar, that is the terror and plague of all his neighbours, has taken advantage of the low condition to which he is reduced, and he has fallen upon him and broken his bones, has quite ruined him, and therefore the king of Babylon must be punished as the king of Assyria was, Jer 50:18. Note, Those who pursue and prosecute the sins of their predecessors must expect to be pursued and prosecuted by their plagues; if they do as they did, let them fare as they fared.

IV. The mercy promised to the Israel of God, which shall not only accompany, but accrue from, the destruction of Babylon. 1. God will return their captivity; they shall be released out of their bondage, and brought again to their own habitation as sheep that were scattered to their own fold Jer 50:19. They still retained a title to the land of Canaan; it is their habitation still. The discontinuance of their possession was not the destruction of their right. But now they shall recover the enjoyment of it again. 2. He will restore their prosperity; they shall not only live, but live comfortably, in their own land again; they shall feed upon Carmel and Bashan, the richest and most fruitful parts of the country. These sheep shall be gathered from the deserts to which they were dispersed, and put again into good pasture, which their soul shall be satisfied with though they shall come hungry to it, having been so long stinted, and straitened, and kept short, yet they shall find enough to satiate them and shall have hearts to be satiated with it. They enquired the way to Zion (Jer 50:5), where God was to be served and worshipped. This was what they chiefly aimed at in their return; but God will not only bring them thither, but bring them also to Carmel and Bashan, where they shall abundantly feed themselves. Note, Those that return to God and their duty shall find true satisfaction of soul in so doing; and those that seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, that aim to make their habitation in Zion, the holy hill, shall have other things added to them, even all the comforts of Ephraim and Gilead, the fruitful hills. 3. God will pardon their iniquity; this is the root of all the rest (Jer 50:20): In those days the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none. Not only the punishments of their iniquity shall be taken off, but the offence which it gave to God shall be forgotten, and he will be reconciled to them. Their sin shall be before him as if it had never been; it shall be blotted out as a cloud, crossed out as a debt, shall be cast behind his back; nay, it shall be cast into the depth of the sea, shall be no longer sealed up among God's treasures, nor in any danger of appearing again or rising up against them. This denotes how fully God forgives sin; he remembers it no more. Note, Deliverances out of trouble are then comforts indeed when they are the fruits of the forgiveness of sin, Isa 38:17. Judah and Israel were so fully forgiven when they were brought back out of Babylon that they are said to have received of the Lord's hand double for all their sins, Isa 40:2. This may include also a thorough reformation of their hearts and lives, as well as a full remission of their sins. If any seek for idols or any idolatrous customs among them, after their return, there shall be none, they shall not find them; their dross shall be purely purged away, and by that it shall appear that their guilt is so; for I will pardon those whom I reserve; I will be propitious to them (so the word is) and that must be through him who is the great propitiation. Note, Those whose sins God pardons he reserves for something very great; for whom he justifies them he glorifies.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 9–20. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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