Jeremiah 50:24

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:24 delivers a potent prophetic declaration of God's sovereign judgment upon Babylon, portraying the mighty empire as an unsuspecting victim ensnared by divine decree. This verse underscores the Lord's absolute control over nations and the inevitable, inescapable consequences that befall those who proudly defy His will and oppress His people. It highlights Babylon's overconfidence and ultimate vulnerability in the face of divine retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a lengthy prophetic oracle against Babylon, spanning Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. These chapters constitute one of the longest single prophecies in the Bible, detailing Babylon's impending destruction and the liberation of Judah from exile. Coming after Jeremiah's pronouncements against Judah and other surrounding nations, this extensive judgment against Babylon signifies the culmination of God's justice, demonstrating that even the most powerful instrument of His wrath (Babylon, which destroyed Jerusalem) will not escape accountability for its own pride, idolatry, and cruelty. The detailed nature of these chapters emphasizes the certainty and totality of Babylon's downfall, serving as both a warning to oppressors and a comfort to the exiled Israelites.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Babylon, under the Neo-Babylonian Empire, was the dominant superpower of the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. Its capital, Babylon, was renowned for its immense fortifications, including massive walls, the Euphrates River flowing through its center, and its perceived impregnability. The city was a center of wealth, culture, and especially, idolatry, with a pantheon of gods led by Marduk. Culturally, Babylonians were known for their military prowess, architectural achievements (like the Hanging Gardens and the Ishtar Gate), and their brutal subjugation of conquered peoples, including the Judeans whom they exiled in 597 and 586 BCE. Jeremiah's prophecy speaks into this context of Babylonian dominance, asserting that despite its formidable strength and self-assurance, this seemingly invincible empire would fall, not by chance, but by the deliberate hand of the God of Israel, whom they had defied.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 50:24 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Retribution**, asserting that the Lord is the ultimate orchestrator of history, capable of raising up and bringing down nations according to His righteous purposes. Babylon, though used by God as a tool against Judah (as seen in [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Babylon as God's Servant")), is now held accountable for its own hubris and violence. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the theme of **Unaware Destruction and Humiliation of the Proud**. Babylon's ignorance of its impending doom underscores its arrogance and self-sufficiency, a common motif in prophecies against proud empires (e.g., [Isaiah 47:7-11](/isaiah/47-7 "Isaiah 47:7-11 - Babylon's Overconfidence")). Finally, the explicit reason for Babylon's capture—"because thou hast striven against the LORD"—reinforces the theme of **Consequences of Rebellion Against God**. This is not merely a political defeat but a divine judgment for direct opposition to God's authority and His covenant people, a principle echoed throughout prophetic literature (e.g., [Psalm 2:1-5](/psalm/2-1 "Psalm 2:1-5 - Rebellion Against the Lord's Anointed")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **snare (Hebrew, _yâqôsh'_):** H3369, a primitive root meaning "to ensnare (literally or figuratively); fowler (lay a) snare." The imagery here is vivid and deliberate. God is portrayed as the fowler, actively setting a trap for Babylon. This is not an accidental event but a meticulously planned divine ambush, emphasizing the inescapable nature of Babylon's judgment. Just as a bird or animal is caught unawares in a hunter's net, so too will Babylon be suddenly and completely entrapped by divine forces.
* **aware (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** H3045, a primitive root meaning "to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses... be aware, (un-) awares." The phrase "thou wast not aware" highlights Babylon's profound ignorance and overconfidence. Despite its vast intelligence network, fortified defenses, and perceived invincibility, Babylon remained oblivious to the divine forces arrayed against it. This lack of awareness underscores its spiritual blindness and hubris, believing itself secure from any threat, especially from the God of a conquered people.
* **striven (Hebrew, _gârâh'_):** H1624, a primitive root meaning "properly, to grate, i.g., (figuratively) to anger; contend, meddle, stir up, strive." The phrase "thou hast striven against the LORD" reveals the core reason for Babylon's downfall. It implies a deliberate, aggressive, and arrogant opposition to God. This was not merely an accidental transgression but a contentious, defiant posture against the Almighty, manifested in their oppression of God's people, their idolatry, and their prideful boasting against the true God. This striving provoked God's righteous anger and sealed their fate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have laid a snare for thee":** This opening clause immediately establishes the Lord's active and deliberate role in Babylon's downfall. It is not a random historical event or a mere consequence of geopolitical shifts, but a direct, intentional act of divine judgment. The metaphor of a "snare" emphasizes the cunning and inescapable nature of God's plan.
* **"and thou art also taken, O Babylon":** This declares the certainty and completeness of Babylon's capture. The direct address "O Babylon" personifies the empire, making the judgment intensely personal and direct. The passive voice ("art taken") underscores Babylon's helplessness as the object of God's action, despite its immense power.
* **"and thou wast not aware":** This highlights Babylon's state of ignorance and overconfidence. Despite its vast intelligence and military might, the empire remained oblivious to the divine trap being set for it. This unawareness is a testament to its pride and spiritual blindness, failing to recognize the true power that governs nations.
* **"thou art found, and also caught":** This phrase reiterates and intensifies the reality of Babylon's capture. "Found" implies discovery and exposure, while "caught" reinforces the imagery of being trapped. The repetition serves to emphasize the utter inevitability and totality of its downfall, leaving no room for escape.
* **"because thou hast striven against the LORD":** This final clause provides the explicit theological justification for Babylon's judgment. Its destruction is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of its defiance, arrogance, and active opposition to Yahweh. This "striving" encompasses its idolatry, its cruelty towards God's people, and its prideful boasting against the true God, making its punishment a righteous act of divine justice.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:24 is rich with literary devices that amplify its prophetic message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Babylon is likened to an animal caught in a hunter's **snare**. This vivid imagery immediately conveys the suddenness, unexpectedness, and inescapable nature of its capture, contrasting sharply with Babylon's perceived impregnability. **Personification** is also evident as Babylon is directly addressed ("O Babylon"), endowing the empire with human characteristics of awareness and striving, making the divine judgment feel more immediate and personal. The use of the **Divine Passive** (e.g., "thou art taken," "thou art found," "thou art caught") subtly emphasizes that while Babylon is the subject of these actions, the ultimate agent behind them is God, reinforcing His sovereignty without explicitly stating "God took you." Furthermore, the **Repetition** of ideas, particularly the multiple verbs describing Babylon's capture ("taken," "found," "caught"), creates a sense of emphatic finality and inevitability, underscoring that Babylon's doom is sealed and absolute.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:24 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty over human history and His unwavering commitment to justice. It demonstrates that no nation, however mighty or self-assured, can defy the Lord with impunity. Babylon, which had been God's instrument of judgment against Judah, now faces its own reckoning for its pride, idolatry, and cruelty towards God's people. This principle affirms that God holds all powers accountable, ensuring that ultimately, righteousness will prevail and the oppressors will be judged. It offers comfort to the oppressed, assuring them that their cries have been heard and that divine justice is certain.

* [Isaiah 13:19](/isaiah/13-19 "Isaiah 13:19 - Babylon's Desolation")
* [Revelation 18:8](/revelation/18-8 "Revelation 18:8 - The Sudden Fall of Babylon")
* [Daniel 5:26-28](/daniel/5-26 "Daniel 5:26-28 - The Writing on the Wall for Belshazzar")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:24 offers timeless lessons for all generations. For the believer, it provides immense comfort and assurance that God remains sovereign over all earthly powers. Even when evil seems to triumph and oppressors appear invincible, this verse reminds us that the Lord is actively working behind the scenes, laying snares for the proud and bringing about His righteous judgment in His perfect timing. This should inspire trust and patience, knowing that God will ultimately vindicate His people and His name. For all, it serves as a sober and urgent warning against the dangers of pride, self-sufficiency, and especially, active defiance against God. Like Babylon, we can become so engrossed in our own strength and achievements that we fail to recognize our vulnerability before the Almighty. The call is to humility, acknowledging God's supreme authority, aligning our lives with His revealed will, and seeking His grace, lest we, too, find ourselves unexpectedly caught in the snare of our own rebellion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be operating with a sense of self-sufficiency or unawareness, similar to Babylon?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment on proud nations encourage me when I see injustice seemingly prevail in the world today?**
* **What does it mean practically to "strive against the LORD" in a contemporary context, and how can I ensure my life is aligned with His will rather than in opposition?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of humility and awareness of God's sovereignty in my daily walk, rather than falling into the trap of pride?**

### FAQ
**What does "striven against the LORD" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In the context of Jeremiah 50:24, "striven against the LORD" (Hebrew: `gârâh`) signifies a deliberate, aggressive, and arrogant opposition to God's authority and purposes. This was not merely accidental sin but a contentious and defiant posture. For Babylon, this "striving" manifested in several ways: their excessive cruelty towards Judah beyond what God intended for their chastisement; their prideful boasting against the God of Israel, attributing their victories to their own gods (as seen in [Isaiah 10:12-15](/isaiah/10-12 "Isaiah 10:12-15 - Assyria's Arrogance")); their idolatry and rejection of Yahweh as the one true God; and their general oppression and defiance of divine moral standards. It implies a direct challenge to God's reign over nations and His covenant faithfulness to His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 50:24, with its declaration of divine judgment against a proud and defiant world power, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God laid a snare for Babylon, Christ, as the divine Son, is the ultimate executor of God's righteous judgment against all forms of human rebellion and systems that "strive against the LORD." The "snare" of sin and death, which held humanity captive, was decisively overcome by Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection (as articulated in [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death and the Devil")). He disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities that sought to ensnare humanity, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Furthermore, the theme of God judging a proud "Babylon" foreshadows Christ's return, when He will judge all nations and worldly systems that oppose God and oppress His people. The Book of Revelation portrays the final, sudden, and complete overthrow of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic representation of all that is anti-God, by the triumphant Lamb ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse") and [Revelation 18:20-21](/revelation/18-20 "Revelation 18:20-21 - Rejoice Over Babylon's Fall")). Thus, Jeremiah's prophecy not only speaks to a historical event but points forward to the definitive victory of Christ over all evil, ensuring that every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship, and that all who have striven against the Lord will ultimately be found and caught by His righteous judgment.

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

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.