Jeremiah 50:16

KJV

Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.

KJV (with Strong's)

Cut off {H3772} the sower {H2232} from Babylon {H894}, and him that handleth {H8610} the sickle {H4038} in the time {H6256} of harvest {H7105}: for fear {H6440} of the oppressing {H3238} sword {H2719} they shall turn {H6437} every one {H376} to his people {H5971}, and they shall flee {H5127} every one {H376} to his own land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Cut off the sower from Bavel and the reaper with sickle at harvest-time. For fear of the destroying sword everyone returns to his own people, each one flees to his own land.

Berean Standard Bible

Cut off the sower from Babylon, and the one who wields the sickle at harvest time. In the face of the oppressor’s sword, each will turn to his own people, each will flee to his own land.

American Standard Version

Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:16 is a potent prophetic declaration concerning the impending and complete desolation of Babylon, the dominant empire of its time. It vividly portrays the cessation of all agricultural activity and productivity within the land, symbolizing a total collapse of its economic and societal foundations. The verse further predicts the scattering of its diverse foreign inhabitants and mercenaries, who, in terror of an invading "oppressing sword," would abandon the city and flee back to their native lands, signifying the unraveling of Babylon's imperial might and the reversal of its former glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 50:16 is situated within a lengthy and detailed oracle against Babylon, spanning chapters 50 and 51 of the book of Jeremiah. These chapters represent a significant shift in focus, moving from prophecies of judgment against Judah and other surrounding nations (Jeremiah 46-49) to the ultimate judgment against Babylon, the very power God used to punish Judah. This section serves as a theological climax, demonstrating God's sovereignty not only over His covenant people but over all nations, especially those who oppress His chosen ones. The agricultural imagery in verse 16, depicting the cutting off of sowers and reapers, immediately follows declarations of Babylon's utter destruction and the call for nations to gather against it, setting the stage for a reversal of fortunes where the oppressor becomes the oppressed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 50-51 was delivered during a period when Babylon, under the Neo-Babylonian Empire, was the undisputed superpower of the ancient Near East. King Nebuchadnezzar II had conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and exiled its people to Babylon (circa 586 BC). Babylon was renowned for its immense wealth, military might, and advanced agricultural systems supported by the fertile Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Its population was a diverse mix of native Babylonians and peoples from conquered territories, including many who served as mercenaries or laborers. The imagery of "sower" and "sickle" would have resonated deeply in an agrarian society, signifying the very source of life, sustenance, and future prosperity. The "oppressing sword" directly refers to the Medo-Persian forces, who, under Cyrus the Great, would conquer Babylon in 539 BC, fulfilling this prophecy and leading to the eventual return of the Jewish exiles, as foretold in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, demonstrating that God holds even the most powerful empires accountable for their pride, idolatry, and especially their oppression of His people. Secondly, it highlights the **Impermanence of Earthly Power**, showing that Babylon's might, despite its grandeur, was transient and subject to God's ultimate decree. The agricultural imagery vividly portrays **Utter Desolation and Cessation**, signaling an end to the very lifeblood and future of the land. Finally, the scattering of Babylon's foreign inhabitants contrasts sharply with the future **Restoration of God's People**, foreshadowing the return of Judah from exile, a theme central to Jeremiah's message of hope found in passages like [Jeremiah 30](/jeremiah/30 "Jeremiah 30 - Restoration of Israel and Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** This primitive root signifies to "cut (off, down or asunder)," and by implication, "to destroy or consume." In this context, it denotes a decisive and complete termination of activity and existence. The command to "cut off the sower" implies not merely a temporary halt but a permanent cessation of agricultural life and, by extension, the very population and future of Babylon. It speaks to a divine decree of utter destruction.
* **Sower (Hebrew, _zâraʻ'_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to sow," this term refers to one who plants seeds. As a central figure in an agrarian society, the sower represents productivity, future harvest, and the continuity of life. To "cut off the sower" is to sever the very possibility of future sustenance, growth, and population, symbolizing the complete desolation and depopulation of Babylon.
* **Oppressing (Hebrew, _yânâh'_):** This primitive root means "to rage or be violent," and by implication, "to suppress" or "to maltreat." When applied to the "sword," it emphasizes the brutal, violent, and destructive nature of the invading force. It highlights the terror and coercion that would drive Babylon's inhabitants and foreign residents to flee, underscoring the severity of the divine judgment enacted through this "oppressing sword."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest":** This powerful command is a prophetic declaration of divine judgment. It signifies the complete cessation of agricultural activity, which was the foundation of Babylon's sustenance and prosperity. By removing the sower (who initiates growth) and the reaper (who gathers the fruits of labor), the prophecy indicates a total end to life, productivity, and future prospects in Babylon. The imagery suggests that the land will become barren and uninhabited, unable to support life.
* **"for fear of the oppressing sword":** This clause provides the immediate catalyst for the predicted flight and desolation. The "oppressing sword" refers to the invading military force—specifically the Medo-Persians—which would bring about Babylon's downfall. The "fear" it instills is so profound that it compels a mass exodus, highlighting the terror and violence accompanying God's judgment against the empire.
* **"they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land":** This describes the consequence of the impending invasion. "They" refers to the diverse foreign populations, mercenaries, and exiles who had been drawn to Babylon by its power and wealth. Their flight signifies the unraveling of Babylon's multi-ethnic strength and the collapse of its imperial structure. This mass scattering contrasts with the eventual return of God's people, Israel, to their own land, underscoring the reversal of fortunes ordained by God.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:16 is rich in **Imagery** and **Symbolism**, primarily drawing from the agrarian life common in the ancient Near East. The "sower" and "sickle" are vivid **Metaphors** for the very essence of life, labor, and future sustenance. Their "cutting off" symbolizes the complete and utter desolation of Babylon, a reversal of its former abundance and a cessation of its population. The "oppressing sword" is a potent **Symbol** of the conquering military force and the instrument of divine judgment, emphasizing the violence and terror that would accompany Babylon's fall. The phrase "every one to his people, and every one to his own land" employs **Hyperbole** to underscore the widespread and complete scattering of Babylon's foreign inhabitants, emphasizing the total collapse of its imperial structure and the reversal of its previous policy of gathering conquered peoples. The verse also implicitly uses **Contrast**, juxtaposing Babylon's once-mighty and populous state with its prophesied future of barrenness and abandonment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations. It demonstrates that no earthly power, however formidable, is beyond His reach or exempt from His judgment, especially when that power engages in pride, idolatry, and the oppression of His people. The desolation of Babylon, symbolized by the cessation of its agricultural life and the scattering of its inhabitants, serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of worldly empires and the futility of placing ultimate trust in human strength or achievements. For the oppressed, it offers a profound message of hope: God hears the cries of His suffering people and will act decisively to bring about their deliverance and to hold their oppressors accountable, often using other nations as instruments of His divine will.

* [Isaiah 13:19-22](/isaiah/13-19 "Isaiah 13:19-22 - Prophecy of Babylon's Desolation")
* [Revelation 18:2-8](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2-8 - The Fall of Babylon the Great")
* [Daniel 5:25-31](/daniel/5-25 "Daniel 5:25-31 - Belshazzar's Feast and Babylon's Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:16 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and societies. It calls us to reflect on the transient nature of all human power and achievement, urging us to place our ultimate hope and security not in fleeting earthly empires or personal successes, but in the eternal and just reign of God. This verse reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations, bringing down the proud and raising up the humble according to His sovereign will. It challenges us to examine our own lives and societies for any forms of oppression, injustice, or pride that might invite divine judgment. Furthermore, for those who feel oppressed or marginalized, this prophecy serves as a powerful source of comfort and hope, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will, in His perfect timing, bring about justice and deliverance, just as He did for His people in Babylon.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the prophecy of Babylon's fall challenge our own tendencies to place ultimate trust in worldly powers, economic stability, or personal achievements?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and communities, actively work against oppression and injustice, reflecting God's character as a righteous judge?**
* **What comfort and hope does this verse offer to those who are currently experiencing forms of spiritual, social, or political oppression?**

### FAQ
**Who are "the sower" and "him that handleth the sickle" in this verse?**

Answer: "The sower" and "him that handleth the sickle" are symbolic figures representing the agricultural workforce and, by extension, the entire productive capacity and population of Babylon. In an ancient agrarian society, sowing and harvesting were fundamental activities for survival and prosperity. By commanding that these be "cut off," the prophecy signifies a complete cessation of life, productivity, and future prospects within Babylon. It implies that the land will become desolate, uncultivated, and uninhabited, a stark reversal of its former abundance and a powerful image of total destruction. This imagery emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting the very foundations of the empire's sustenance.

**What is the significance of "the oppressing sword" and the subsequent flight?**

Answer: "The oppressing sword" refers to the invading military force that would conquer Babylon. Historically, this was the Medo-Persian army under Cyrus the Great. The term "oppressing" highlights the violent, terrifying, and destructive nature of this invasion, which would instill such fear that it would compel a mass exodus. The subsequent flight of "every one to his people, and every one to his own land" refers to the diverse foreign populations, mercenaries, and exiles who had settled in Babylon due to its imperial power and wealth. Their scattering signifies the unraveling of Babylon's multi-ethnic strength and the complete collapse of its imperial structure. This event not only fulfilled God's judgment against Babylon but also paved the way for the return of God's own people, Judah, from exile, as seen in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree for Jewish Return").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 50:16 speaks directly to the historical judgment on ancient Babylon, its theological trajectory finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ over all oppressive powers and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The "oppressing sword" that brought down Babylon foreshadows the spiritual victory of Christ, who disarmed the powers and authorities of darkness through His cross, triumphing over them (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Just as Babylon's economic and societal foundations were "cut off," Christ's death and resurrection decisively cut off the power of sin and death, which had held humanity captive. The scattering of Babylon's diverse foreign populations finds its redemptive counterpart in the gathering of all peoples—every tribe, tongue, and nation—into the one body of Christ, forming a new spiritual Israel (see [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - Multitude from Every Nation")). The fleeting nature of Babylon's kingdom stands in stark contrast to the unshakable and eternal kingdom of God, inaugurated by Christ, over which He reigns with all authority in heaven and on earth (see [Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakable Kingdom") and [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Ultimately, the judgment against Babylon points forward to the final judgment of all unrighteousness and the establishment of Christ's perfect reign, where justice will prevail eternally and His people will dwell securely in His presence, free from all oppression.

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

Isaiah 13:14

And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.

Jeremiah 51:9

We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up [even] to the skies.

Jeremiah 46:16

He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.

Joel 1:11

Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.

Jeremiah 51:23

I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.

Amos 5:16

¶ Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing [shall be] in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.

Jeremiah 25:38

He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.