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 stark and prophetic declaration of divine judgment against the formidable Neo-Babylonian Empire, painting an urgent auditory and visual picture of an overwhelming military invasion that will culminate in its utter ruin. This succinct yet potent pronouncement underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice, signaling the inevitable downfall of an oppressive power that had defied Him and afflicted His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the extensive "Burden against Babylon" found in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon"), which stands as the longest and most detailed oracle in the book of Jeremiah. These chapters meticulously outline the comprehensive and irreversible destruction of Babylon, the very empire God had previously employed as an instrument of judgment against Judah. However, Babylon had exceeded its divine commission through its egregious pride, idolatry, 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, specifically the Medes and Persians, emphasizing the suddenness, ferocity, and inevitability of the impending attack. The "sound of battle" immediately precedes further vivid descriptions of Babylon's desolation and the promised liberation of Judah, thereby highlighting the direct causal link between Babylon's fall and Israel's restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the period of this prophecy's delivery, the Neo-Babylonian Empire, under the Chaldean dynasty, was the undisputed global superpower, having decisively conquered Judah and exiled its inhabitants to Babylon, an event extensively documented in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). Babylon was celebrated for its immense wealth, unparalleled military might, and awe-inspiring fortifications, including its renowned walls and the strategic Euphrates River flowing through its heart. Culturally, Babylon was a vibrant hub of polytheistic worship, venerating a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, with Marduk as its chief deity. Jeremiah's audacious prophecy, delivered when Babylonian supremacy seemed unassailable, would have appeared humanly improbable, thereby underscoring its divine origin and the prophet's unique role as God's mouthpiece. The "land" referenced in the verse specifically denotes this seemingly impregnable empire, rendering the declaration of "great destruction" all the more shocking and profoundly significant.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 50:22](/jeremiah/50-22 "Jeremiah 50:22 - The Sound of Battle in Babylon") contributes significantly to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, unequivocally demonstrating that God holds even the most formidable empires accountable for their actions, particularly their hubris, idolatry, and oppression of His chosen people. Babylon's impending destruction is presented as a just recompense for its violence and its self-exaltation above the one true God, echoing the timeless principle found in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Secondly, the verse profoundly underscores the **Sovereignty of God over Nations**, revealing Him as the ultimate orchestrator of human history, who raises up and brings down kingdoms according to His righteous and immutable divine purpose. Even though Babylon served as God's temporary instrument, its ultimate fate remained subject to His sovereign decree. Finally, it highlights the theme of **Reversal of Fortunes and Vindication of God's People**. For the exiled Judeans, this prophecy offered a beacon of profound hope and assurance that their oppressors would face the same devastation they had inflicted, thereby paving the way for their eventual return to their homeland, a promise articulated in passages such as [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, sound, or noise. In Jeremiah 50:22, it vividly evokes the clamor, shouts, and cacophony of a full-scale military invasion. It is an immediate auditory image that conveys the chaos, terror, and overwhelming nature of the impending battle, emphasizing the inescapable and imminent reality of divine judgment.
* **battle (Hebrew, _milchâmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to fight," this term specifically denotes an engagement, or more broadly, war or warfare. Its presence here specifies the nature of the "sound"—it is not merely a general disturbance, but the unmistakable, terrifying sounds of armed conflict, signifying a direct, violent military assault on Babylon.
* **destruction (Hebrew, _sheber'_):** From a root meaning "to break," this word signifies a fracture, ruin, breach, or a complete breaking. It conveys the idea of utter shattering and devastating collapse. Coupled with "great" (H1419, _gâdôwl_), it implies an absolute and comprehensive ruin, leaving no doubt about the catastrophic extent of the calamity that will befall Babylon.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A sound of battle [is] in the land":** This opening clause immediately establishes a powerful auditory image of chaos and conflict. The "sound" (qôwl) is not a distant rumor but an immediate, palpable reality, indicating that the war has either arrived or is so imminent that its ominous "sound" already fills the air. "The land" (ʼerets) refers specifically to Babylon, emphasizing that this judgment is not abstract but precisely 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 atmosphere of Babylon.
* **"and of great destruction":** This second clause amplifies the first, moving beyond the mere sound of conflict to its inevitable and devastating outcome. The "great destruction" (sheber gadol) signifies the comprehensive and overwhelming 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 or a temporary setback, but an event leading to the utter collapse and permanent ruin of the empire, a divinely ordained catastrophe of immense proportions.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:22 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending doom and divine judgment. **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 an intense sense of immediacy and dread, making the prophecy feel present and inescapable. The phrase "great destruction" functions as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and overwhelming nature of Babylon's coming ruin, suggesting a devastation that transcends ordinary measure and leaves nothing intact. Furthermore, the entire verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, not merely predicting an event but painting a grim, sensory picture of its inevitable outcome, thereby setting the tone for the detailed prophecies of Babylon's comprehensive 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 and visceral experience of the war rather than just the event.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:22 profoundly articulates God's unwavering sovereignty over all nations and His unyielding commitment to justice. It serves as a stark reminder that no empire, however mighty, seemingly invincible, or divinely utilized, operates beyond the reach of divine judgment. Babylon, once the powerful instrument of God's discipline against Judah, now faces its own reckoning, not due to divine caprice, but because of its unbridled pride, rampant idolatry, and cruel oppression of God's people. This verse underscores the fundamental 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 biblical principle that those who sow violence and destruction will ultimately reap the same, a principle deeply embedded in biblical wisdom literature and prophetic warnings throughout the Old and New Testaments.

* [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 and profound 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 or entrenched, operates outside His ultimate control. This offers profound comfort and reassurance to those who feel oppressed by unjust systems or powerful adversaries, assuring them that God sees, God judges, and God will ultimately act to bring about justice. Conversely, it serves as a sobering warning against the insidious dangers of pride, idolatry, and unchecked power. When nations or individuals exalt themselves, forget God, or oppress others, they inevitably invite divine judgment. Our appropriate response should be one of profound humility, a fervent pursuit of justice and righteousness, and an unwavering trust in God's perfect timing for the resolution of all things. The "sound of battle" foretold for Babylon should prompt us to critically examine our own lives and societies, asking if we are aligning with God's righteous standards or inadvertently 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, self-sufficiency, or idolatry that led to Babylon's downfall?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's character, particularly His justice 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 unprecedented 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 meticulously detailed in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and the Exile"). While God providentially used Babylon as an instrument of His discipline against Judah's persistent 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, its rampant idolatry, and its failure to acknowledge the true God who had granted it power. Its judgment, therefore, was a profound demonstration of God's justice and His absolute sovereignty over all nations, ensuring that even His instruments of discipline would be held fully accountable for their own 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, universally applicable, and eternally relevant. The prophecy serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that God is sovereign over all nations, and no earthly power, however formidable, is beyond His ultimate judgment. It warns against the perennial dangers of national pride, unchecked power, idolatry (whether of wealth, military might, technological prowess, or ideological supremacy), and the systemic oppression of the vulnerable. For individuals, it underscores the spiritual principle that those who sow destruction will ultimately reap destruction ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Sowing and Reaping")). Moreover, it offers profound 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 and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 50:22, with its chilling declaration of the "sound of battle" and "great destruction" against ancient Babylon, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the decisive triumph of God's eternal kingdom over all oppressive earthly powers and the final, comprehensive 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, ideologies, and forces that oppose God and His people throughout history. The symbolic "Babylon the Great" described in [Revelation 17-18](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Prostitute and the Beast") is the ultimate eschatological representation of this 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 and unassailable judgment of Jesus Christ. Christ, as the victorious King and Judge, depicted vividly in [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, injustice, and oppression to a decisive and eternal end. The "great destruction" foretold for Babylon thus 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 redeemed people live in eternal peace, forever 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.