Jeremiah 50:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Take your positions surrounding Bavel, all you whose bows are strung; shoot at her, spare no arrows; because she sinned against ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:14 delivers a powerful divine injunction for a comprehensive and unsparing military assault against Babylon. It commands the nations to meticulously prepare and unleash a relentless barrage of arrows, holding nothing back in the destruction of the mighty empire. This severe decree is explicitly justified by Babylon's profound and pervasive sin against the Lord, serving as a stark declaration of God's unwavering justice and His ultimate judgment against those who defy His authority and oppress His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 50:14 is situated within a lengthy and powerful prophetic oracle against Babylon, spanning chapters 50 and 51 of the book of Jeremiah. These chapters represent a significant shift in Jeremiah's prophecies. While much of the preceding book details Judah's impending judgment and subsequent exile at the hands of Babylon, these final oracles pivot dramatically to declare God's judgment upon Babylon itself. This section serves as a divine reversal, assuring Judah of eventual vindication and demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations, including the very empire He used as an instrument of His wrath. The immediate verses within chapter 50 begin to describe the gathering of nations against Babylon and the utter devastation that will befall it, setting the stage for the specific military commands in verse 14.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy against Babylon was delivered during a period when the Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, was at its zenith of power. Babylon had conquered Assyria, Egypt, and Judah, establishing itself as the dominant world power. Its capital city, Babylon, was renowned for its immense fortifications, Hanging Gardens, and ziggurat, symbolizing its perceived invincibility and imperial might. The cultural context includes Babylon's pervasive idolatry, its brutal military campaigns, and its practice of deporting conquered peoples, including the Jews. The command to "put yourselves in array" and "bend the bow" reflects the common military tactics of the ancient Near East, where archers played a crucial role in warfare, often forming the vanguard of an attack. The prophecy, though delivered during Babylon's ascendancy, foretells its downfall, which historically occurred in 539 BC when Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered the city, fulfilling many of Jeremiah's predictions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, demonstrating that God will not allow wickedness to go unpunished indefinitely, especially when it involves the oppression of His covenant people. Babylon's judgment is a direct consequence of its sin against the Lord, echoing the principle that "vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord, as seen in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - God's Vengeance"). Furthermore, the passage highlights **God's Sovereignty Over Nations**, illustrating that He raises up and brings down empires according to His divine plan, as articulated in passages like [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons"). The command to "spare no arrows" vividly portrays the **Consequences of Sin**, emphasizing the totality and severity of the judgment that awaits those who defy God, reminding us that [the wages of sin is death](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"). Finally, it provides a powerful message of **Vindication and Restoration for God's People**, assuring Judah that despite their suffering, God would ultimately bring justice upon their oppressors and restore His covenant promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Array (Hebrew, _ʻârak'_):** This word, H6186, means "to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order." In a military context, it signifies the careful and strategic formation of troops for battle, implying discipline, preparation, and a concerted effort. The command "Put yourselves in array" is a divine imperative, instructing the attacking forces to meticulously organize their offensive against Babylon, emphasizing a deliberate and overwhelming military strategy rather than a disorganized skirmish.
* **Spare (Hebrew, _châmal'_):** H2550, meaning "to commiserate; by implication, to spare; have compassion, (have) pity." The negative command "spare no arrows" is a forceful injunction against any form of mercy or restraint in the assault. It conveys the absolute and unreserved nature of the impending judgment, indicating that the destruction of Babylon is to be total and without reservation, leaving nothing undone to achieve its complete overthrow.
* **Sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** H2398, meaning "properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin." This word identifies the fundamental reason for Babylon's judgment. Babylon's actions, particularly its arrogance, idolatry, and brutal treatment of God's people, constituted a direct offense against the Lord. Their "missing the mark" of God's righteousness, even as an unwitting instrument of His judgment, led to their own forfeiture and condemnation by the divine standard.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about":** This is a direct, imperative command to the nations God is raising up against Babylon. "Put yourselves in array" (or "set yourselves in order") signifies a disciplined, strategic military formation, emphasizing a coordinated and encircling attack. "Round about" indicates a comprehensive siege, ensuring no escape and total encirclement of the formidable city.
* **"all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her":** This clause specifies the primary offensive force: archers. In ancient warfare, archers were crucial for long-range attacks, softening defenses before close-quarters combat. The command to "shoot at her" is relentless, indicating a continuous barrage of arrows, symbolizing the unceasing nature of the divine judgment.
* **"spare no arrows":** This powerful phrase reinforces the intensity and totality of the attack. It is a command to use every available resource, to hold nothing back, and to show no mercy or restraint in the assault. It emphasizes that the judgment is to be complete, leaving no stone unturned in the destruction of Babylon.
* **"for she hath sinned against the LORD."** This final clause provides the ultimate justification for the severe judgment. Babylon's destruction is not arbitrary but a righteous recompense for its offenses. Its sins included pride, idolatry, and especially its excessive cruelty and arrogance in dealing with God's people, going beyond merely being an instrument of divine discipline to actively defying the God of Israel. This establishes the divine decree behind the military action.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. The dominant device is **Imperative Mood**, seen in the direct commands "Put yourselves in array," "shoot at her," and "spare no arrows." These commands create a sense of urgency and divine authority, emphasizing that the judgment is not a suggestion but a decree. **Metonymy** is present where "bend the bow" and "shoot at her" stand for the entire military force and the act of warfare itself. The phrase "spare no arrows" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the quantity of arrows to emphasize the relentless and total nature of the assault. It suggests an overwhelming, continuous barrage that will leave no stone unturned in the destruction. Furthermore, the entire verse is an example of **Cause and Effect**, with Babylon's "sin against the LORD" serving as the explicit cause for the severe, divinely ordained judgment. Finally, **Personification** is subtly used as Babylon, a city/empire, is treated as an entity capable of "sinning against the LORD" and being directly targeted for punishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:14 is a profound declaration of God's sovereign justice, revealing that no nation, however mighty, can escape accountability for its actions, especially when those actions involve pride, idolatry, and the oppression of God's people. This verse underscores the biblical principle that God uses nations as instruments in His divine plan, but He also holds those instruments accountable for their own moral choices and excesses. Babylon, which had been God's "hammer" against Judah, now faces the full force of His righteous wrath because its pride and cruelty went beyond God's intended purpose, becoming an affront to His holiness. The absolute nature of the command to "spare no arrows" speaks to the severity of divine judgment when sin reaches its full measure, demonstrating that God is both patient and utterly just.

* [Psalm 9:16](/psalms/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord is Known by Justice")
* [Revelation 18:6](/revelation/18-6 "Revelation 18:6 - Judgment on Babylon")
* [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:14, while a historical prophecy against ancient Babylon, carries timeless spiritual principles for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is ultimately just, and no injustice, oppression, or defiance of His will will go unaddressed. For those who suffer under oppressive systems or individuals, this verse offers profound comfort and hope, assuring them that God sees, God remembers, and God will act on behalf of the wronged. It also serves as a sobering warning to those in positions of power or influence, reminding them that accountability before God is universal and inescapable. Our call is not to wield literal arrows against nations, but to recognize the spiritual "Babylon" in our world—systems of idolatry, materialism, and pride that oppose God's kingdom. We are called to stand against these forces with spiritual discernment, prayer, and a commitment to righteousness, understanding that our ultimate battle is spiritual, as described in [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces"). We must continually examine our own hearts and societies for areas where we might be "sinning against the Lord," ensuring our lives align with His righteous standards.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the absolute nature of God's judgment against Babylon in this verse shape your understanding of divine justice?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be tempted to "sin against the Lord" through pride or oppression, even subtly?**
* **What comfort or challenge does this prophecy offer to those who feel overwhelmed by injustice in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why is Babylon being judged so severely, even though God used them to punish Judah?**

Answer: While God indeed used Babylon as an instrument of His divine judgment against Judah for their idolatry and disobedience, Babylon's own actions went beyond God's intended purpose. Babylon's pride, excessive cruelty, and blasphemous defiance against the God of Israel constituted their own egregious sin. They boasted in their own strength, attributed their victories to their false gods, and treated God's covenant people with exceptional brutality, even desecrating the temple. Jeremiah 50:14 emphasizes that their destruction is "for she hath sinned against the LORD," highlighting that their judgment is a direct consequence of their own moral culpability and not merely a shift in God's strategy. This demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty and justice, holding even His instruments accountable for their wickedness, as described in [Isaiah 10:12](/isaiah/10-12 "Isaiah 10:12 - God's Judgment on Assyria's Pride").

**Who are "all ye that bend the bow" and who is commanding them?**

Answer: "All ye that bend the bow" refers to the various nations that God would raise up to execute judgment against Babylon. Historically, this primarily refers to the Medes and Persians, led by Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon in 539 BC. The command to "Put yourselves in array" and "shoot at her" comes directly from the Lord Himself. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over the nations; He is the one orchestrating these events, calling forth armies and directing their actions to fulfill His prophetic word and execute His righteous judgment, as seen in [Jeremiah 51:11](/jeremiah/51-11 "Jeremiah 51:11 - God Stirs Up the Kings of the Medes").

**What does "spare no arrows" signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "spare no arrows" is a powerful military command signifying a total, relentless, and unreserved assault. It means that the attacking forces are to hold nothing back, to use every available arrow and every possible means of destruction until Babylon is utterly vanquished. Theologically, it emphasizes the completeness and severity of God's judgment. It implies that Babylon's sin has reached a point where divine wrath is to be poured out without any measure of pity or restraint, leading to its absolute desolation, as foreshadowed in [Jeremiah 51:25-26](/jeremiah/51-25 "Jeremiah 51:25-26 - Babylon as a Destroyed Mountain").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 50:14 describes a literal historical judgment on ancient Babylon, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment resonates deeply with the New Testament's portrayal of spiritual warfare and the final triumph of God's kingdom. Babylon, in its pride, idolatry, and oppression of God's people, serves as a powerful type of the world system that opposes God and His Christ. Just as God commanded earthly armies to "put yourselves in array" against literal Babylon, so too does He empower His church, the spiritual army of Christ, to engage in spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness. The command to "spare no arrows" finds its spiritual parallel in the believer's unwavering commitment to wield the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" ([Ephesians 6:17](/ephesians/6-17 "Ephesians 6:17 - The Sword of the Spirit")) and to stand firm in the truth, dismantling strongholds of deception and sin not with carnal weapons but with divine power ([2 Corinthians 10:4](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4 - Weapons of Our Warfare")). Ultimately, the judgment against Babylon foreshadows the final and complete overthrow of all evil and rebellion against God, culminating in the return of Christ. The Lamb of God, who came to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), will return as the righteous Judge, executing perfect justice upon all who have "sinned against the LORD." The book of Revelation vividly portrays the ultimate destruction of "Babylon the Great," the spiritual harlot, at the hands of Christ and His heavenly armies, signifying the final triumph of God's righteous rule and the vindication of His suffering people ([Revelation 18:1-24](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon the Great")). Thus, Jeremiah's prophecy points forward to the decisive victory of Christ over all spiritual and earthly powers that oppose God, ushering in His eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace.

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 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.