Jeremiah 50:13

Translation
King James Version
Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Because of the wrath H7110 of the LORD H3068 it shall not be inhabited H3427, but it shall be wholly desolate H8077: every one that goeth H5674 by Babylon H894 shall be astonished H8074, and hiss H8319 at all her plagues H4347.
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Complete Jewish Bible
Because of the anger of ADONAI, no one will live there any more; all of it will be desolate. Everyone passing Bavel will whistle in shock at all her plagues.
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Berean Standard Bible
Because of the wrath of the LORD, she will not be inhabited; she will become completely desolate. All who pass through Babylon will be horrified and will hiss at all her wounds.
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American Standard Version
Because of the wrath of Jehovah she shall not be inhabited, but she shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
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World English Bible Messianic
Because of the wrath of the LORD she shall not be inhabited, but she shall be wholly desolate: everyone who goes by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Because of the wrath of the Lord it shall not be inhabited, but shall be wholy desolate: euery one that goeth by Babel, shall be astonished, and hisse at all her plagues.
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Young's Literal Translation
Because of the wrath of Jehovah it is not inhabited, And it hath been a desolation--all of it. Every passer by at Babylon is astonished, And doth hiss because of all her plagues.
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See also
Jeremiah 18:16Jeremiah 49:17Zephaniah 2:15Zechariah 1:15Jeremiah 25:12Job 27:23Lamentations 2:15
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Prophecy Against Babylon
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In the KJVVerse 20,180 of 31,102

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SUMMARY

Jeremiah 50:13 serves as a profound prophetic declaration, foretelling the utter and irreversible destruction of Babylon. This once-mighty imperial city, a symbol of human pride and oppressive power, is pronounced by the LORD to be rendered completely uninhabited and desolate. Its catastrophic downfall is presented as a direct, inevitable consequence of divine wrath, so severe and absolute that all who witness its ruins will be struck with astonishment and express profound contempt at the overwhelming scale of its judgment.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is deeply embedded within a substantial prophetic oracle against Babylon, encompassing Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. This extended prophecy marks a significant shift in Jeremiah's message; previously, Babylon was portrayed as God's instrument for disciplining Judah. Now, the focus pivots dramatically, positioning Babylon itself as the object of divine wrath due to its egregious pride, rampant idolatry, and particularly its merciless cruelty toward God's chosen people. Jeremiah 50:9-12 immediately precedes this verse, detailing the mobilization of nations against Babylon, the swiftness of its impending overthrow, and the extensive plundering of its vast wealth. This sets the grim stage for the absolute desolation proclaimed in verse 13. The subsequent verses (Jeremiah 50:14ff) further elaborate on the comprehensive nature of Babylon's ruin, contrasting it with the promised liberation and restoration of Israel.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during a period of immense geopolitical upheaval, specifically witnessing the ascendance of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, the siege and fall of Jerusalem, and the subsequent Babylonian exile of Judah (circa 605-586 BCE). At its zenith, Babylon was the undisputed superpower of the ancient Near East, celebrated for its unparalleled wealth, formidable military might, and awe-inspiring architectural marvels such as the Hanging Gardens and the Ishtar Gate. Its culture was deeply entrenched in polytheism, characterized by a pervasive sense of imperial supremacy and a brutal, unyielding approach to conquered peoples. For contemporaries, the prophecy of Babylon's utter desolation would have appeared utterly improbable, given its perceived invincibility. Yet, this divine pronouncement powerfully underscored the ultimate sovereignty of Yahweh over all earthly powers, no matter how seemingly unconquerable, simultaneously offering a beacon of future hope and vindication to the exiled Israelites.
  • Key Themes: Jeremiah 50:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Inescapable Judgment, emphasizing that even the most formidable and seemingly impregnable nations are unequivocally subject to God's ultimate authority and righteous justice. Babylon, having served as God's instrument to chastise Judah, now faces its own inevitable reckoning for its arrogance and oppression, illustrating that God holds all nations accountable for their actions, a principle echoed in prophecies like Isaiah 13:1-22 and the woes pronounced in Habakkuk 2:6-20. Another significant theme is Total Desolation and Reversal of Fortune, where the once-proud conqueror is utterly conquered, and the mighty city is transformed into an uninhabitable wasteland. This serves as a potent testament to the transient nature of all human empires when contrasted with the eternal, enduring kingdom of God. Implicitly, the verse also touches upon the Vindication and Restoration of God's People, as Babylon's catastrophic fall signifies the eventual liberation and promised return of Israel, a hope woven throughout Jeremiah's prophecies, particularly in passages such as Jeremiah 29:10-14.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • wrath (Hebrew, qetseph', H7110): Derived from a root meaning "to splinter" or "to chip off," qetseph denotes a fierce, often violent, indignation or rage. In this context, it refers to the righteous and consuming anger of the LORD, which is not an uncontrolled outburst but a just, measured, and inevitable response to Babylon's profound sins against God and His covenant people. It signifies the divine impetus and ultimate cause behind Babylon's complete and irreversible destruction.
  • desolate (Hebrew, shᵉmâmâh', H8077): This feminine noun, stemming from the root shâmêm (to stun, devastate, or stupefy), describes a state of utter ruin, emptiness, and abandonment. It conveys more than mere uninhabitedness; it implies a horrifying, awe-inspiring waste. The emphatic declaration "wholly desolate" underscores the totality and permanence of Babylon's destruction, transforming it into a monument of terrifying emptiness and a stark warning of divine judgment.
  • plagues (Hebrew, makkâh', H4347): While literally referring to a blow or wound, makkâh here extends metaphorically to the severe, divinely inflicted calamities and judgments that would befall Babylon. It encompasses the full scope of the devastation—military defeat, famine, pestilence, and the general ruin—that would render the city a spectacle of divine retribution. The term emphasizes the severity, comprehensiveness, and divinely ordained nature of God's judgment.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited": This opening clause unequivocally establishes the divine causality of Babylon's impending destruction. The "wrath of the LORD" is presented as the ultimate, non-negotiable, and righteous reason for its devastating fate. The consequence is absolute: the once-thriving metropolis will cease to function as a dwelling place for humanity. This is not a temporary evacuation but a permanent cessation of habitation, underscoring the severity and finality of God's judgment against its pride and wickedness.
  • "but it shall be wholly desolate": This phrase serves as an intensification and emphatic reinforcement of the preceding declaration, solidifying the completeness and permanence of Babylon's ruin. "Wholly desolate" (using shᵉmâmâh) conveys an extreme state of emptiness, a terrifying waste that evokes both astonishment and horror. It signifies that the city will not merely be empty but will become a lasting monument to ruin, a stark and enduring warning against human rebellion and arrogance.
  • "every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues": This concluding clause vividly describes the universal and visceral reaction to Babylon's catastrophic downfall. Passersby, whether contemporary travelers or future generations, will be struck with profound shock and awe (shâmêm) at the sheer extent of its ruin. To "hiss" (shâraq) at her plagues suggests a sound of scorn, contempt, or even a mournful, whistling lament, indicating utter disdain and horror at the spectacle of a once-mighty empire reduced to such a state by the overwhelming force of divine judgment.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 50:13 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and comprehensive desolation. Hyperbole is powerfully evident in the declaration that Babylon "shall be wholly desolate," emphasizing the extreme and absolute nature of its destruction, far beyond mere abandonment. The phrase "every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss" utilizes vivid Sensory Imagery to portray the public and visceral reaction to Babylon's ruin, engaging the reader's sight and hearing. The act of "hissing" also functions as Onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of scorn, lament, or even the chilling sound of a desolate wind. Furthermore, the entire verse serves as a compelling example of Prophetic Foreshadowing, predicting an event that, at the time of its utterance, seemed utterly improbable given Babylon's immense power, yet eventually came to pass, thereby affirming the reliability and authority of God's word. The stark contrast between Babylon's former glory and its prophesied state of utter ruin also creates a profound sense of Irony, where the oppressor becomes the object of scorn and a testament to divine justice.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse powerfully articulates the immutable biblical principle that divine justice is both inevitable and comprehensive, extending even to the most formidable earthly powers. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to bringing righteous retribution upon those who defiantly oppose His will and oppress His people. Babylon's desolation serves as a profound theological statement, declaring that no empire, no matter how grand, self-sufficient, or seemingly invincible, can ultimately withstand the righteous wrath of the LORD. This judgment is not arbitrary but a just and proportionate response to the cumulative sin of pride, idolatry, and cruelty. The public spectacle of its ruin ensures that God's justice is visibly and undeniably demonstrated, serving as a solemn warning to all who witness it across generations.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 50:13 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers, serving as a powerful reminder that God remains eternally sovereign over all human affairs and that His perfect justice will ultimately prevail. In a world where powerful systems, nations, and even individuals often appear to operate with impunity, this prophecy provides profound reassurance that no earthly power is beyond divine accountability. It challenges us to critically examine our own lives, our communities, and our societies for any vestiges of Babylon's characteristic pride, self-sufficiency, or oppressive tendencies, urging us to consciously align ourselves with God's righteous standards rather than pursuing the fleeting glories and corrupting influences of the world. The prophesied desolation of Babylon stands as a stark and sobering warning against idolatry, arrogance, and injustice, prompting us to place our unreserved trust solely in the eternal God, whose kingdom alone endures and whose judgments are always true and just. Furthermore, it offers immense comfort and hope to those who feel oppressed, marginalized, or unjustly treated, affirming that God sees their suffering and will, in His perfect timing and sovereign wisdom, bring forth justice and ultimate vindication.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the prophecy of Babylon's fall challenge our contemporary perceptions of earthly power, national security, and global stability?
  • In what subtle or overt ways might we, as individuals or as a collective, exhibit characteristics akin to Babylon's pride, self-sufficiency, or oppressive attitudes, and how can we actively repent of these?
  • How does the certainty of God's righteous judgment on Babylon strengthen our faith in His ultimate justice, His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, and His sovereign control over history?

FAQ

Was Babylon's destruction truly "wholly desolate" as prophesied, or did it recover?

Answer: While Babylon was not immediately and completely annihilated after its conquest by Cyrus the Great in 539 BC (an event vividly described in Daniel 5), its subsequent decline was gradual yet ultimately fulfilled the prophecy of profound desolation. It never regained its former glory or status as a dominant imperial capital. Successive empires—Persian, Greek, and Parthian—utilized parts of it, but the city progressively diminished in importance and population. By the Roman era, it was largely a ruin, and by the medieval period, it had indeed become truly desolate, a vast expanse of uninhabited mounds and scattered ruins. The prophecy of Jeremiah 50:13, alongside similar pronouncements in Isaiah 13, spoke of an ultimate and permanent desolation, not necessarily an immediate, single-event annihilation. The long-term historical trajectory of Babylon unequivocally confirms this irreversible abandonment, serving as a powerful and enduring testament to the accuracy and divine origin of biblical prophecy.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Jeremiah 50:13 directly concerns the historical judgment of ancient Babylon, its profound theological principles find their ultimate and most comprehensive Christ-centered fulfillment. The "wrath of the LORD" against sin, rebellion, and human arrogance, so powerfully displayed against the oppressive empire of Babylon, is ultimately and perfectly borne by Christ on the cross. He, the sinless Son of God, became the object of divine wrath, suffering the "plagues"—the full consequences and penalty of humanity's sin—that we deserved, as foretold in Isaiah 53:5. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus definitively takes away the sin of the world, offering a glorious escape from the ultimate desolation of eternal judgment for all who believe in Him (John 1:29). Furthermore, Babylon in Scripture often functions as a potent symbol of the world system in active rebellion against God, characterized by its pride, pervasive idolatry, and systemic oppression, vividly depicted as "Babylon the Great" in Revelation 17-18. Christ's ultimate and decisive victory over this spiritual Babylon, culminating in His glorious second coming, ensures that all oppressive systems and every form of unrighteousness will be brought to complete and eternal desolation. In their place, His eternal kingdom will be established, a realm where righteousness dwells forever, as promised in Revelation 19:11-16. Thus, the judgment on ancient Babylon serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work in bearing sin's penalty and His final, triumphant reign over all evil, securing a future free from desolation for His redeemed people.

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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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