Jeremiah 50:15

KJV

Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it [is] the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

KJV (with Strong's)

Shout {H7321} against her round about {H5439}: she hath given {H5414} her hand {H3027}: her foundations {H803} are fallen {H5307}, her walls {H2346} are thrown down {H2040}: for it is the vengeance {H5360} of the LORD {H3068}: take vengeance {H5358} upon her; as she hath done {H6213}, do {H6213} unto her.

Complete Jewish Bible

From all sides raise the war cry against her! Now she surrenders! Her buttresses fall, her walls are thrown down, for this is the vengeance of ADONAI. Avenge yourself on her! As she has done, do to her!

Berean Standard Bible

Raise a war cry against her on every side! She has thrown up her hands in surrender; her towers have fallen; her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take out your vengeance upon her; as she has done, do the same to her.

American Standard Version

Shout against her round about: she hath submitted herself; her bulwarks are fallen, her walls are thrown down; for it is the vengeance of Jehovah: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:15 delivers a powerful prophetic decree foretelling the utter and catastrophic downfall of Babylon, the dominant global empire responsible for Judah's subjugation and exile. This verse is an integral part of a larger divine oracle that declares Babylon's imminent and complete destruction as a direct act of divine retribution. It vividly portrays the city's impending collapse through imagery of military assault and structural ruin, emphatically attributing this judgment to the righteous vengeance of the LORD and calling for the same measure of destruction to be meted out to Babylon as it had inflicted upon others.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 50:15 is strategically placed within a comprehensive prophetic oracle against Babylon, encompassing chapters 50 and 51 of the book of Jeremiah. These chapters serve as a dramatic counterpoint to the preceding prophecies concerning Judah's judgment and eventual restoration, signaling a shift in divine focus. After detailing Judah's suffering and holding out the promise of future hope, Jeremiah turns to pronounce God's severe judgment upon Babylon, the very instrument of Judah's punishment. This specific verse acts as an urgent call to the nations to assemble against Babylon, underscoring its sudden vulnerability and impending ruin. It follows closely on the heels of declarations about Babylon's desolation in [Jeremiah 50:13](/jeremiah/50-13 "Jeremiah 50:13 - Babylon's Desolation") and the command for archers to target her in [Jeremiah 50:14](/jeremiah/50-14 "Jeremiah 50:14 - Call to Arms Against Babylon"), thereby setting the immediate scene for the command to "shout against her" and the pronouncement of her structural collapse. The verses that follow continue to elaborate on the extent of Babylon's ruin and the subsequent liberation of Israel and Judah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies against Babylon in Jeremiah were delivered during a period of immense geopolitical upheaval in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. Under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon had ascended to become the preeminent imperial power, successfully conquering the Neo-Assyrian Empire and subsequently subjugating Judah. Jerusalem was besieged and ultimately destroyed in 586 BCE, leading to the forced exile of its inhabitants to Babylon. The city of Babylon itself was legendary for its formidable fortifications, including the iconic Ishtar Gate and the massive walls described by ancient historians like Herodotus, which rendered it seemingly impregnable. For the exiled Judeans, Babylon represented the epitome of oppressive power, pagan idolatry, and national humiliation. Consequently, the prophecy of its fall offered profound hope, vindication, and assurance to a people suffering under its oppressive yoke, affirming that even the mightiest human empire was ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. The phrase "she hath given her hand" could metaphorically refer to a gesture of surrender or a forced pledge of allegiance, now ironically turned against Babylon in its defeat.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 50:15 makes a pivotal contribution to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical prophecy. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Nations**. Despite Babylon's perceived invincibility and immense power, God unequivocally declares its downfall, thereby demonstrating His ultimate and absolute control over the rise and fall of all earthly empires, a truth profoundly echoed in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and God's Sovereignty") concerning Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Secondly, the verse prominently highlights **Divine Justice and Retribution**. Babylon's destruction is explicitly identified as "the vengeance of the LORD," emphasizing that God is not a passive observer of injustice but actively intervenes to right wrongs, punish wickedness, and uphold His moral order. This is a consistent biblical motif, as powerfully articulated in [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance Belongs to God"), where vengeance is declared to belong to the Lord. Thirdly, the principle of **Poetic Justice (Lex Talionis)** is vividly expressed in the climactic command "as she hath done, do unto her." This concept, where the punishment precisely fits the crime, is a recurring and powerful theme in prophetic literature, signifying that oppressors will experience the very same measure of suffering they inflicted upon others, a principle also found in [Obadiah 1:15](/obadiah/1-15 "Obadiah 1:15 - The Day of the Lord and Retribution").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shout (Hebrew, _rûwaʻ'_):** From H7321, this primitive root means "to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout (for alarm or joy)." In this context, it denotes a loud, piercing cry, specifically a war cry or an alarm, signaling an imminent, overwhelming attack. It is a command for the invading forces to raise their voices in triumph and intimidation as they completely encircle and conquer Babylon, emphasizing the ferocity, decisiveness, and finality of the assault.
* **fallen (Hebrew, _nâphal'_):** From H5307, this primitive root means "to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)." When applied to "foundations," as it is here, it signifies a complete collapse, ruin, and utter destruction. It conveys the idea that Babylon's very base and stability are crumbling, indicating an irreversible and comprehensive defeat, not merely a temporary setback, but a fundamental undoing of its power.
* **vengeance (Hebrew, _nᵉqâmâh'_):** From H5360, this feminine noun derives from the root meaning "to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish." In biblical theology, when attributed to the LORD (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), "vengeance" is not personal spite, uncontrolled wrath, or human vindictiveness. Rather, it is a manifestation of His perfect justice, righteousness, and faithfulness to His covenant. It represents a divine act of setting things right, balancing the scales of justice, and ensuring that evil and oppression do not go unpunished, ultimately demonstrating God's holy character and His unwavering commitment to His moral order in the world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shout against her round about:"** This is a direct, imperative command, likely addressed to the nations God is raising up as instruments of His judgment against Babylon. It powerfully evokes the imagery of a besieging army completely encircling the city, raising a triumphant war cry or a shout of alarm, thereby indicating the imminence of its downfall and the complete lack of any escape route for Babylon.
* **"she hath given her hand:"** This phrase carries profound layers of meaning. It can signify a gesture of surrender, acknowledging utter defeat and helplessness in the face of the overwhelming assault. Alternatively, it might refer to a forced pledge of loyalty or a covenant, implying that Babylon's former alliances or its own perceived strength are now rendered utterly useless, or that she is now compelled to submit to a greater, divine power—God's judgment.
* **"her foundations are fallen,"** This clause speaks to the absolute and utter destruction of Babylon's core stability and security. "Foundations" (H803, _ʼăshûwyâh_) refers to the very base upon which a structure is built, signifying its deepest support. Their collapse means that the city's very essence, its strength, security, and perceived permanence, are completely undone, representing a metaphor for total and irreversible ruin.
* **"her walls are thrown down:"** Complementing the fallen foundations, the "walls" (H2346, _chôwmâh_) refer to the city's protective fortifications, which were legendary for their immense size and impregnability. Their being "thrown down" (H2040, _hâraç_) indicates a violent, deliberate, and complete demolition, leaving the city utterly defenseless, exposed, and vulnerable. This imagery directly counters Babylon's historical reputation for being unconquerable.
* **"for it [is] the vengeance of the LORD:"** This is the crucial theological justification and primary motivation for Babylon's destruction. It unequivocally clarifies that this is not merely a geopolitical shift or a result of human conflict, but a direct, divine act of judgment. The "vengeance of the LORD" (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) underscores God's active involvement in the course of human history, His righteous indignation against injustice, and His unwavering commitment to bringing about justice for His oppressed people and the nations.
* **"take vengeance upon her;"** This is a reiteration of the divine command, likely directed at the instruments of God's judgment (e.g., the Medes and Persians), to actively execute the decreed divine retribution. It reinforces the imperative nature of the judgment and the absolute certainty of its fulfillment, emphasizing that this is a mandated act.
* **"as she hath done, do unto her."** This climactic phrase encapsulates the profound biblical principle of poetic justice (lex talionis). It declares that Babylon will receive the exact same measure of destruction, cruelty, and devastation that it inflicted upon other nations, particularly Judah. It is a divine promise that the oppressor will experience the very suffering it caused, ensuring a just and equitable recompense.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:15 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and retribution. **Personification** is evident as Babylon is addressed directly as "her," endowing the city with human-like qualities that can "give her hand" in surrender and suffer a devastating fall. This makes the judgment feel more immediate and personally directed. The verse also utilizes vivid **Imagery** of military assault ("Shout against her round about"), a gesture of surrender ("she hath given her hand"), and catastrophic structural collapse ("her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down"). These powerful images create a clear and compelling mental picture of utter destruction and complete vulnerability. The phrase "as she hath done, do unto her" is a quintessential example of **Lex Talionis** or **Poetic Justice**, a rhetorical device that emphatically underscores the just, reciprocal, and proportionate nature of divine retribution. Furthermore, the repeated emphasis on "vengeance" and the command to "take vengeance" creates a strong sense of **Anaphora** and **Repetition**, reinforcing the central theme of divine retribution and its absolute inevitability. The overall tone of the passage is one of **Prophetic Imperative**, conveying a profound sense of divine decree and unalterable certainty regarding Babylon's predetermined fate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:15 stands as a profound theological statement on God's active and sovereign governance over human history, coupled with His unwavering commitment to justice. It asserts unequivocally that no empire, however powerful, formidable, or seemingly invincible, stands outside the purview of divine judgment. The "vengeance of the LORD" is not an act of capricious anger or vindictiveness, but rather a righteous and holy response to the accumulated pride, pervasive idolatry, and systematic cruelty of Babylon, particularly its brutal oppression of God's chosen people. This verse profoundly reveals a God who meticulously observes injustice, hears the desperate cries of the oppressed, and intervenes decisively to uphold His moral order, ensuring that those who sow destruction will ultimately reap it themselves. It offers a powerful and enduring assurance to the suffering that their oppressors will inevitably face accountability, reinforcing the foundational truth that God's perfect justice will ultimately prevail.

* [Psalm 94:1](/psalm/94-1 "Psalm 94:1 - God of Vengeance")
* [Isaiah 13:1-22](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon's Fall")
* [Revelation 18:6](/revelation/18-6 "Revelation 18:6 - Judgment on Babylon the Great")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:15, while a specific historical prophecy against ancient Babylon, carries enduring and profound relevance for believers in every generation. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is ultimately sovereign over all earthly powers, and that His perfect justice will inevitably prevail. In a world where injustice often appears to triumph, and where oppressors frequently seem to escape consequences, this verse offers a profound source of hope, comfort, and divine assurance. It encourages us to cultivate an unwavering trust in God's perfect timing and His steadfast commitment to righteousness, even when current circumstances seem bleak or overwhelming. Furthermore, it serves as a stark and solemn warning to all who wield power: power used for oppression, fueled by pride, or exercised with injustice will inevitably face divine reckoning. For the Church, this passage calls us to actively stand for justice, to courageously advocate for the oppressed, and to live with the profound conviction that God will indeed "do unto" every system and individual "as they have done." Our ultimate hope and security are not found in human systems, political solutions, or fleeting earthly powers, but solely in the God who orchestrates all of history and faithfully brings about His righteous judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "the vengeance of the LORD" in this verse shape your understanding of God's character and His active involvement in human history?**
* **In what ways might the principle "as she hath done, do unto her" apply to personal or societal injustices we observe in the world today?**
* **How does this prophecy against a seemingly invincible empire like Babylon strengthen your faith in God's ultimate sovereignty amidst current global challenges and uncertainties?**
* **What practical actions can you take to align yourself with God's justice and actively advocate for those who are oppressed in your community or the wider world?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Babylon's "foundations" and "walls" being destroyed in this prophecy?**

Answer: The destruction of Babylon's "foundations" and "walls" is profoundly significant because Babylon was legendary for its immense and seemingly impenetrable fortifications. Its walls were considered one of the wonders of the ancient world, providing a deep sense of ultimate security and invincibility to its inhabitants. Therefore, the prophecy that "her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down" is a powerful symbolic statement of total, irreversible, and comprehensive destruction. It means that Babylon's very basis of power, its defensive capabilities, and its perceived permanence are utterly undone. This vivid imagery underscores the completeness of God's judgment and demonstrates that no human construct, however mighty or secure, can ultimately withstand His sovereign will. It signifies that the city will be left utterly defenseless, exposed, and reduced to a desolate ruin, a testament to divine power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 50:15 directly concerns the historical judgment of ancient Babylon, its underlying theological principles find profound and ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The "vengeance of the LORD" against Babylon foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's justice, not merely against a specific historical empire, but against all sin, evil, and the spiritual forces of darkness, which are ultimately personified in the symbolic "Babylon" of [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Prostitute and Babylon") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon"). Christ, as the perfectly righteous judge, supremely embodies this divine vengeance. His first coming inaugurated the kingdom of God and began the decisive process of dismantling the works of the devil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Works of the Devil")). His sacrificial death on the cross was the ultimate act of divine justice and vengeance against sin, where He bore the full, righteous wrath of God on behalf of humanity ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed Through Christ")). Furthermore, Christ's glorious second coming will bring the final and complete execution of God's judgment upon all unrighteousness, when every knee will bow and every oppressive power and spiritual authority will be utterly vanquished and brought to nothing ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus"); [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ the Warrior King Returns")). The principle "as she hath done, do unto her" is perfectly fulfilled in Christ's just and eternal reign, where every act of injustice will be rectified, and His perfect righteousness will be eternally established, leading to the creation of a new heavens and new earth where only righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth of Righteousness")).

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 51:58

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.

Jeremiah 51:6

Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

Jeremiah 46:10

For this [is] the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Revelation 18:6

Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

Jeremiah 51:14

The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, [saying], Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

Lamentations 5:6

We have given the hand [to] the Egyptians, [and to] the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.

2 Chronicles 30:8

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.