Jeremiah 50:3

For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.

For out of the north {H6828} there cometh up {H5927} a nation {H1471} against her, which shall make {H7896} her land {H776} desolate {H8047}, and none shall dwell {H3427} therein: they shall remove {H5110}, they shall depart {H1980}, both man {H120} and beast {H929}.

For from the north a nation is marching against her that will desolate her land. No one will live there - both humans and animals have fled and gone.

For a nation from the north will come against her; it will make her land a desolation. No one will live in it; both man and beast will flee.โ€

For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they are fled, they are gone, both man and beast.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 50:3 (KJV)

Jeremiah 50:3 is part of a significant prophetic oracle (Jeremiah chapters 50-51) detailing God's judgment against Babylon, the very empire that had conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem. This particular verse vividly describes the instrument and severity of Babylon's impending downfall.

Context

The book of Jeremiah primarily prophesies the judgment against Judah for its apostasy and the subsequent Babylonian exile. However, chapters 46-51 pivot to prophecies against various foreign nations, culminating in a detailed and powerful pronouncement against Babylon. This is profoundly significant, demonstrating God's sovereignty not only over His covenant people but over all world powers. Babylon, which God used as His instrument of judgment against Judah (Jeremiah 25:9), is now itself subject to divine wrath due to its pride, idolatry, and excessive cruelty.

The "nation out of the north" refers historically to the Medo-Persian Empire, which rose to prominence under Cyrus the Great. This empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC, fulfilling these ancient prophecies.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse underscores God's unwavering justice, indicating that even powerful empires like Babylon, used by God for His purposes, are not exempt from accountability for their wickedness and oppression.
  • Babylon's Inevitable Fall: It foretells the complete and devastating collapse of Babylon, once the dominant world power. This serves as a powerful reminder that no earthly kingdom or human power is ultimately beyond God's control.
  • Utter Desolation: The prophecy emphasizes the extreme nature of the judgment โ€“ "make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast." This speaks to a complete and lasting ruin, a stark contrast to the temporary nature of Judah's exile.
  • God's Sovereignty: This prophecy powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over the rise and fall of nations. He raises up kingdoms and brings them down, using various peoples as instruments of His will (Daniel 2:21).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "desolate" here is shamamah (ืฉึฐืืžึธืžึธื”), conveying a sense of utter ruin, emptiness, and abandonment. The double verbs "they shall remove, they shall depart" (ื ึธื“ื•ึผ ื ึธืกื•ึผ - nadu nasu) create a strong, emphatic image of flight and complete evacuation, highlighting the swift and comprehensive nature of the depopulation. The phrase "both man and beast" further emphasizes the totality of the desolation, leaving nothing alive in the land.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 50:3 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  1. Trust in God's Justice: When we see injustice or oppression in the world, this verse assures us that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and that His justice will ultimately prevail. No power, however mighty, can escape His judgment.
  2. Humility for Nations: It serves as a sober warning to all nations and leaders against pride, idolatry, and the abuse of power. Those who oppress others or defy God will face consequences.
  3. Hope for the Oppressed: For those experiencing oppression or injustice, this prophecy provides hope. Just as God brought down Babylon, He will bring down all systems of evil and establish His righteous kingdom (Revelation 18:2).
  4. God's Unchanging Character: It reinforces the biblical truth that God is faithful to His word, fulfilling prophecies meticulously across centuries. This strengthens our faith in His promises for the future.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 51:11

    Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

  • Zephaniah 1:3

    I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 50:9

    ยถ For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows [shall be] as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.

  • Jeremiah 51:62

    Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.

  • Isaiah 13:5

    They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, [even] the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

  • Isaiah 13:10

    For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

  • Revelation 18:21

    And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
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