Jeremiah 50:22

KJV

A sound of battle [is] in the land, and of great destruction.

KJV (with Strong's)

A sound {H6963} of battle {H4421} is in the land {H776}, and of great {H1419} destruction {H7667}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"The sound of battle is heard in the land, with great destruction!

Berean Standard Bible

“The noise of battle is in the land— the noise of great destruction.

American Standard Version

A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:22 delivers a chilling prophecy of divine judgment against Babylon, depicting an imminent and overwhelming military invasion that will bring about its utter ruin. This succinct declaration serves as a powerful auditory and visual image, signaling the end of an oppressive empire and the sovereign hand of God orchestrating the downfall of those who defy Him and oppress His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the extensive "Burden against Babylon" found in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon"), which constitutes the longest single oracle in the book of Jeremiah. These chapters detail the comprehensive and irreversible destruction of Babylon, the very empire that God had used as an instrument of judgment against Judah, but which had subsequently exceeded its divine commission through its pride and cruelty. [Jeremiah 50:22](/jeremiah/50-22 "Jeremiah 50:22 - The Sound of Battle in Babylon") appears amidst a series of pronouncements foretelling the invasion of Babylon by a northern foe (likely the Medes and Persians), emphasizing the suddenness and ferocity of the impending attack. The "sound of battle" immediately precedes further descriptions of Babylon's desolation and the liberation of Judah, highlighting the direct link between Babylon's fall and Israel's restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy, the Neo-Babylonian Empire was the dominant world power, having conquered Judah and exiled its inhabitants to Babylon, as recorded in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). Babylon was renowned for its immense wealth, military might, and impressive fortifications, including the famous walls and the Euphrates River flowing through its heart. Culturally, Babylon was a center of idolatry, worshipping numerous gods and goddesses, notably Marduk. The Chaldeans, a Semitic people, were the ruling dynasty. Jeremiah's prophecy, delivered during the period of Babylonian supremacy, would have seemed audacious and improbable from a human perspective, underscoring the divine origin of the message. The "land" in the verse specifically refers to this powerful, seemingly impregnable empire, making the declaration of "great destruction" all the more shocking and significant.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 50:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, demonstrating that God holds even the most formidable empires accountable for their actions, particularly their pride, idolatry, and oppression of His people. Babylon's destruction is presented as a just recompense for its violence and its exaltation of itself above the true God, echoing principles found in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Secondly, the verse underscores the **Sovereignty of God over Nations**, revealing Him as the ultimate orchestrator of history, raising up and bringing down kingdoms according to His divine purpose. Even though Babylon was used by God, its ultimate fate was determined by His righteous decree. Finally, it highlights the theme of **Reversal of Fortunes and Vindication of God's People**. For the exiled Judeans, this prophecy offered a profound message of hope and assurance that their oppressors would face the same devastation they had inflicted, paving the way for their eventual return to their homeland, as promised in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sound (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** From an unused root meaning "to call aloud," this word refers to a voice or sound. In Jeremiah 50:22, it evokes the clamor, shouts, and noise of a full-scale military invasion. It is an auditory image that conveys the chaos, terror, and overwhelming nature of the impending battle, emphasizing the inescapable reality of the judgment.
* **battle (Hebrew, _milchâmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to fight," this term denotes an engagement, or generally, war or warfare. Its presence here specifies the nature of the "sound" – not merely a general disturbance, but the unmistakable, terrifying sounds of armed conflict, signifying a direct military assault on Babylon.
* **destruction (Hebrew, _sheber'_):** From a root meaning "to break," this word signifies a fracture, ruin, breach, or breaking. It conveys the idea of complete shattering and devastation. Coupled with "great," it implies an absolute and comprehensive ruin, leaving no doubt about the extent of the calamity that will befall Babylon.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A sound of battle [is] in the land":** This clause immediately establishes an auditory image of chaos and conflict. The "sound" (qôwl) is not just a distant rumor but a present reality, indicating that the war has either arrived or is so imminent that its "sound" is already palpable. "The land" (ʼerets) refers specifically to Babylon, emphasizing that this judgment is not abstract but directed at a specific, powerful nation. It paints a vivid picture of the clamor of war – the shouts of soldiers, the clash of weapons, the cries of the wounded – filling the very air of Babylon.
* **"and of great destruction":** This second clause amplifies the first, moving from the sound of conflict to its inevitable outcome. The "great destruction" (sheber gadol) signifies the comprehensive and devastating impact of the battle. It speaks of a shattering, a complete ruin, and a thorough desolation that will befall Babylon. This is not merely a skirmish but an event leading to the utter collapse and ruin of the empire, a divinely ordained catastrophe.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:22 employs powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending doom. **Auditory Imagery** is paramount, as the verse opens with "A sound of battle," immediately immersing the listener in the chaos and terror of war. This vivid soundscape creates a sense of immediacy and dread. The phrase "great destruction" functions as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and overwhelming nature of Babylon's coming ruin, suggesting a devastation beyond ordinary measure. Furthermore, the entire verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, not merely predicting an event but painting a grim picture of its inevitable outcome, setting the tone for the detailed prophecies of Babylon's fall that follow in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon"). There is also an element of **Metonymy**, where the "sound of battle" stands in for the battle itself, highlighting the sensory experience of the war.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:22 profoundly articulates God's unwavering sovereignty over all nations and His commitment to justice. It serves as a stark reminder that no empire, however mighty or seemingly invincible, is beyond the reach of divine judgment. Babylon, once the instrument of God's discipline against Judah, now faces its own reckoning, not because God is capricious, but because of its unbridled pride, idolatry, and cruel oppression. This verse underscores the theological truth that God is not merely the God of Israel, but the Lord of all creation, who orchestrates the rise and fall of kingdoms to fulfill His righteous purposes and ultimately vindicate His covenant people. It speaks to the universal principle that those who sow violence and destruction will ultimately reap the same, a principle deeply embedded in biblical wisdom literature and prophetic warnings.

* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "The Principle of Sowing and Reaping")
* [Isaiah 13:1-22](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon")
* [Revelation 18:21](/revelation/18-21 "Revelation 18:21 - The Violent Fall of Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:22, though a prophecy against an ancient empire, resonates with timeless truths for individuals and nations today. It calls us to recognize God's absolute sovereignty, reminding us that no earthly power, no matter how formidable, operates outside His ultimate control. This offers profound comfort to those who feel oppressed by unjust systems or powerful adversaries, assuring them that God sees, God judges, and God will ultimately act. It also serves as a sobering warning against the dangers of pride, idolatry, and unchecked power. When nations or individuals exalt themselves, forget God, or oppress others, they invite divine judgment. Our response should be one of humility, seeking justice and righteousness, and trusting in God's perfect timing for the resolution of all things. The "sound of battle" for Babylon should prompt us to examine our own lives and societies, asking if we are aligning with God's righteous standards or setting ourselves up for a similar reckoning.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the prophecy of Babylon's fall encourage you when you observe injustice or oppression in the world today?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be tempted by the same pride or idolatry that led to Babylon's downfall?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's character and His active involvement in human history?**

### FAQ
**What was Babylon's significance in the biblical narrative, and why was it judged so severely?**

Answer: Babylon (specifically the Neo-Babylonian Empire) rose to prominence in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, becoming the dominant world power. It was the empire that conquered the Kingdom of Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple, and carried the Jewish people into exile, as detailed in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and the Exile"). While God used Babylon as an instrument of His judgment against Judah's idolatry and disobedience ([Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - God's Instrument of Judgment")), Babylon itself was judged for its excessive cruelty, its overwhelming pride, and its rampant idolatry. It boasted of its own strength and gods, failing to acknowledge the true God who had granted it power. Its judgment, therefore, was a demonstration of God's justice and sovereignty over all nations, ensuring that even His instruments of discipline would be held accountable for their sins.

**Does this prophecy have any relevance for modern nations or individuals?**

Answer: Absolutely. While Jeremiah 50:22 specifically targets ancient Babylon, its underlying principles are timeless and universally applicable. The prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over all nations, and no earthly power is beyond His ultimate judgment. It warns against the dangers of national pride, unchecked power, idolatry (whether of wealth, military might, or ideology), and the oppression of the vulnerable. For individuals, it underscores the spiritual principle that those who sow destruction will reap destruction ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Sowing and Reaping")). It also offers hope to the oppressed, assuring them that God sees injustice and will ultimately bring about justice and vindication for His people, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 50:22, with its declaration of the "sound of battle" and "great destruction" against Babylon, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's kingdom over all oppressive earthly powers and the final defeat of sin and evil. Ancient Babylon, as the quintessential oppressive empire that held God's people captive, serves as a powerful Old Testament type for all systems and forces that oppose God and His people throughout history. The "Babylon the Great" described in [Revelation 17-18](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Prostitute and the Beast") is a symbolic representation of this ultimate worldly system of rebellion, idolatry, and economic exploitation. Just as God promised the literal fall of ancient Babylon, the New Testament prophecies the definitive and irreversible destruction of this spiritual "Babylon" through the righteous judgment of Jesus Christ. Christ, as the victorious King and Judge ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")), has already triumphed over the principalities and powers through His cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), and He will ultimately bring all forms of evil and oppression to a decisive end. The "great destruction" foretold for Babylon foreshadows the final, complete overthrow of all that stands against God's perfect reign, ushering in the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells and God's people live in eternal peace, free from all forms of captivity and 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

Jeremiah 4:19

¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

Jeremiah 4:21

How long shall I see the standard, [and] hear the sound of the trumpet?

Jeremiah 51:54

A sound of a cry [cometh] from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:

Jeremiah 51:56

Because the spoiler is come upon her, [even] upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.

Isaiah 21:2

A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

Isaiah 21:4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.