Jeremiah 50:24

I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.

I have laid a snare {H3369} for thee, and thou art also taken {H3920}, O Babylon {H894}, and thou wast not aware {H3045}: thou art found {H4672}, and also caught {H8610}, because thou hast striven {H1624} against the LORD {H3068}.

I set a trap and caught you, Bavel, before you knew it. You were discovered and seized, because you challenged ADONAI.

I laid a snare for you, O Babylon, and you were caught before you knew it. You were found and captured because you challenged the LORD.

I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against Jehovah.

Jeremiah 50:24 delivers a powerful prophetic declaration of God's impending judgment upon ancient Babylon. The verse portrays Babylon as an unsuspecting victim caught in a divine trap, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over nations and the inevitable consequences of defying Him.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 50-51) containing extensive prophecies against Babylon, the very empire that had conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and carried its people into exile. While Babylon served as God's instrument for punishing Judah's idolatry (Jeremiah 25:9), its own pride, cruelty, and idolatry now brought it under divine condemnation. The imagery of a "snare" emphasizes the suddenness and inescapable nature of the coming destruction, orchestrated by the LORD himself.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Retribution: The verse clearly states, "I have laid a snare for thee," affirming that Babylon's downfall is not accidental but a direct act of God's judgment. This underscores God's ultimate control over world empires and His commitment to justice.
  • Unaware Destruction: The phrase "thou wast not aware" highlights Babylon's overconfidence and arrogance. Despite its immense power and fortified defenses, the empire was oblivious to the divine forces arraying against it, demonstrating that human strength is futile when it opposes God.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The explicit reason for Babylon's capture is stated: "because thou hast striven against the LORD." This emphasizes that sin, particularly defiance against God's will and His people, carries severe and inevitable consequences. Babylon's historical oppression of God's chosen people, Israel, was a direct affront to the Almighty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "snare" (מַלְכֹּדֶת, malkodet) refers to a trap or net, often used for hunting animals. Its use here vividly illustrates Babylon's unexpected and complete capture. The phrase "striven against the LORD" translates from the Hebrew `יָעַז` (ya'az), which carries connotations of acting proudly, defiantly, or insolently. It suggests a deliberate and arrogant opposition to God's authority and purposes, rather than a mere accidental transgression.

Cross-References & Connections

The theme of God's judgment on proud nations is prevalent throughout Scripture. Isaiah also prophesied against Babylon's fall, describing it as a complete overthrow (Isaiah 13:19). Similarly, the Book of Revelation portrays a future "Babylon" (often seen as a symbol of worldly systems opposed to God) facing a sudden and complete destruction, much like its historical counterpart (Revelation 18:7-8). This consistent biblical narrative reinforces the principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Practical Application

Jeremiah 50:24 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering justice and His ultimate control over human history. For believers, it offers assurance that even when evil powers seem to prevail, God is actively working behind the scenes to bring about His righteous judgment. For all, it is a sober warning against pride, self-sufficiency, and especially, defiance against God. We are called to live in humility, acknowledging God's sovereignty and aligning our lives with His will, lest we, like ancient Babylon, find ourselves unexpectedly caught in the snare of our own rebellion.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 9:4

    [He is] wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened [himself] against him, and hath prospered?

  • Daniel 5:30

    ¶ In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

  • Daniel 5:31

    And Darius the Median took the kingdom, [being] about threescore and two years old.

  • Job 40:2

    Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct [him]? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

  • Job 40:9

    Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

  • Jeremiah 51:8

    Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

  • Jeremiah 51:57

    And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise [men], her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts.

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