Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.
Put yourselves in array {H6186} against Babylon {H894} round about {H5439}: all ye that bend {H1869} the bow {H7198}, shoot {H3034} at her, spare {H2550} no arrows {H2671}: for she hath sinned {H2398} against the LORD {H3068}.
"Take your positions surrounding Bavel, all you whose bows are strung; shoot at her, spare no arrows; because she sinned against ADONAI.
Line up in formation around Babylon, all you who draw the bow! Shoot at her! Spare no arrows! For she has sinned against the LORD.
Set yourselves in array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against Jehovah.
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Jeremiah 50:29
Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel. -
Habakkuk 2:17
For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, [which] made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. -
Jeremiah 50:7
All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers. -
Jeremiah 50:42
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they [are] cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, [every one] put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon. -
Jeremiah 50:9
¶ For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows [shall be] as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain. -
Habakkuk 2:8
Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and [for] the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. -
Revelation 17:5
And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Context
Jeremiah 50:14 is part of a significant prophetic oracle against Babylon, found in Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. These chapters stand in stark contrast to the earlier prophecies in Jeremiah which predominantly focused on Judah's impending judgment and exile by the very hand of Babylon. After using Babylon as an instrument of divine wrath against His disobedient people, the Lord now turns His attention to Babylon itself. This oracle predicts the complete destruction and desolation of the mighty Babylonian Empire, which had conquered Jerusalem and carried Judah into captivity. The historical backdrop is the height of Babylonian power under Nebuchadnezzar, yet the prophecy looks forward to its eventual downfall, primarily at the hands of the Medes and Persians.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about" uses a strong military term in Hebrew, implying careful and strategic formation for battle. It's a command for a concerted, encircling attack. The instruction to "spare no arrows" emphasizes the relentless and complete nature of the assault. It conveys a sense of total war, where every available resource is to be used until the objective is achieved. The crucial justification, "for she hath sinned against the LORD," highlights that Babylon's offense was not merely political or military, but fundamentally spiritual. Their sins were an affront to the holy God of Israel, making their judgment a divine decree rather than merely a human conflict.
Practical Application
While this verse speaks to a historical judgment on ancient Babylon, its principles remain relevant today: