Jeremiah 50:31

KJV

Behold, I [am] against thee, [O thou] most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time [that] I will visit thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud {H2087}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} of hosts {H6635}: for thy day {H3117} is come {H935}, the time {H6256} that I will visit {H6485} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I am against you, arrogant [nation]," says Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot. "For your day has come, the time for you to be punished.

Berean Standard Bible

“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you.

American Standard Version

Behold, I am against thee, O thou proud one, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts; for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:31 delivers a potent divine declaration of judgment against Babylon, identifying it as "most proud." It asserts that the Almighty God, the Lord GOD of hosts, stands in direct opposition to Babylon's overweening arrogance, signaling that its divinely appointed time for reckoning has definitively arrived. This verse powerfully encapsulates the principle of divine justice, illustrating that unchecked pride and oppressive power, even in the mightiest empires, inevitably face God's sovereign visitation, leading to their downfall and the cessation of their dominion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 50:31 is embedded within the expansive "Burden against Babylon" (Jeremiah chapters 50-51), a comprehensive prophetic oracle dedicated to foretelling Babylon's impending destruction. This section follows earlier prophecies against Judah and various surrounding nations, establishing a pattern where God, having used Babylon as an instrument of judgment against Judah (as detailed in [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8-11 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity")), now turns His attention to Babylon itself. The immediate context of [Jeremiah 50](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50 - Prophecy Against Babylon") describes the utter desolation and shame that will befall Babylon, contrasting its former glory and perceived invincibility with its destined ruin. Verse 31 specifically marks a direct, personal confrontation between the sovereign God and the personified pride of Babylon, serving as a climactic declaration within this larger prophetic indictment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy, Babylon, under the Neo-Babylonian Empire led by Nebuchadnezzar II, was the dominant world power. Its military might had crushed Judah, resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its inhabitants. Culturally, Babylon was renowned for its monumental architecture, including the immense walls, the Ishtar Gate, and the Hanging Gardens, which fostered a deep sense of national pride, self-sufficiency, and perceived invulnerability. This cultural arrogance, coupled with its pervasive idolatry, ruthless oppression of conquered peoples, and blasphemous actions against the God of Israel (e.g., desecrating temple vessels), made it a prime target for divine retribution. The prophecy thus speaks into a context of deep suffering for the exiled Judeans, offering a powerful assurance of God's ultimate justice and sovereignty over even the most formidable empires.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that no earthly power, regardless of its might or perceived independence, can escape God's ultimate control and judgment. Babylon's fall is presented not merely as a historical inevitability but as a direct, purposeful act of God. It also highlights the pervasive biblical theme of **Judgment on Pride**, a recurring motif where human arrogance, especially when it leads to oppression and defiance of God, inevitably invites divine retribution (compare [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction") and [Isaiah 14:12-15](/isaiah/14-12-15 "Isaiah 14:12-15 - The Fall of Lucifer and Babylon's King")). Furthermore, the concept of **God's Visitation** is central, signifying a decisive intervention in history, often bringing judgment upon the wicked and deliverance for the oppressed, as seen in other prophecies like [Isaiah 13:6-13](/isaiah/13-6-13 "Isaiah 13:6-13 - The Day of the Lord Against Babylon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **proud (Hebrew, _zâdôwn'_):** Derived from the root *zûd*, meaning "to boil up" or "to act insolently," this term specifically denotes arrogance, insolence, and presumptuousness. In the context of Babylon, it signifies an overweening self-importance, a puffed-up pride that manifests in defiance of divine authority and the oppression of others, directly challenging God's sovereignty.
* **GOD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvih'_):** This is a specific variation of the Tetragrammaton YHWH (the proper name of God), used here after *ʼĂdônây* (Lord) to prevent the repetition of the same sound, as Jews would pronounce YHWH as *ʼĂdônây*. It emphasizes the covenant-keeping, self-existent, and sovereign nature of the God of Israel, whose name represents His ultimate authority and faithfulness to His word.
* **hosts (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ'_):** This word refers to a mass of persons, especially organized for warfare (an army), or by implication, a campaign or service. When used in the divine title "Lord GOD of hosts" (YHWH Tsabaoth), it emphasizes God's supreme power and authority as the commander of all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His omnipotence and capacity to muster forces and execute His will against any opposition, including mighty Babylon, reinforcing the certainty of His judgment.
* **visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** A versatile primitive root meaning "to visit" with either friendly or hostile intent; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, or punish. In Jeremiah 50:31, it carries the distinctly hostile connotation of divine reckoning, inspection, and punishment. It implies a precise, appointed time for God to intervene and hold Babylon accountable for its actions, bringing about severe consequences rather than blessing or benevolent oversight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud":** This opening declaration is a stark, direct confrontation from God. "Behold" (הִנֵּה, *hinnēh*) serves as an imperative, drawing immediate attention to the gravity of the statement. The phrase "I am against thee" signifies a personal, active, and unwavering opposition from the Almighty. The direct address, "O thou most proud," pinpoints Babylon, personified, as the target, identifying its defining sin: an overweening, defiant arrogance that has elevated itself against God and His people. This pride is presented not merely as a character flaw but as a direct affront to divine sovereignty.
* **"saith the Lord GOD of hosts":** This authoritative pronouncement validates the divine origin and absolute certainty of the judgment. "The Lord GOD" (אֲדֹנָי יְהֹוִה, *ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih*) combines two sacred names for God, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty, proprietorship, and covenant faithfulness. The addition of "of hosts" (צְבָאוֹת, *tsâbâʼôt*) underscores His omnipotence as the commander of celestial and earthly armies, reinforcing that this is not an idle threat but a decree from the ultimate power in the universe, fully capable of executing His word against any earthly power.
* **"for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee":** This clause provides the reason and the precise timing for the divine opposition. "For thy day is come" signifies that Babylon's period of unchecked power, prosperity, and impunity has reached its divinely appointed end. The "day" (יוֹם, *yôwm*) here is a figurative "day of reckoning" or judgment, a specific space of time defined by its associated event. "The time that I will visit thee" reiterates the certainty and precision of God's intervention. "Visit" (פָּקַד, *pâqad*) in this context is punitive, indicating that God is about to inspect Babylon's deeds and bring the appropriate, severe consequences for its arrogance and oppression, marking the end of its dominion.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:31 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment with dramatic force. The most prominent is **Personification**, where Babylon, an entire nation, is addressed directly as "O thou most proud," imbuing it with human characteristics and moral culpability. This makes the divine confrontation intensely personal and immediate. The declaration "I am against thee" is a powerful example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like opposition and active engagement to God, emphasizing His direct involvement in history and His confrontation with human pride. The use of the divine title "Lord GOD of hosts" serves as a form of **Divine Epithet** and **Hyperbole**, underscoring God's overwhelming power, authority, and military might in stark contrast to Babylon's fleeting dominion. Finally, the declaration "thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee" functions as **Prophetic Foreshadowing**, announcing an inevitable future event with absolute certainty, building dramatic tension and highlighting the deterministic nature of God's judgment against pride.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:31 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering opposition to pride and His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers. It reveals that while God may use nations as instruments for His purposes, He holds them accountable for their own sin, particularly when their power leads to arrogance and oppression. This verse reinforces the biblical truth that unchecked human pride is an affront to the divine order and inevitably leads to a fall. It is a declaration that God's justice will prevail, and there is an appointed time when He will intervene to humble the haughty and vindicate the oppressed, demonstrating His meticulous control over the ebb and flow of history and the destiny of empires.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Isaiah 13:11](/isaiah/13-11 "Isaiah 13:11 - God Punishes the Pride of the Arrogant")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud but Gives Grace to the Humble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:31 offers profound and timeless lessons for individuals, institutions, and nations today. It serves as a stark reminder that pride, whether personal, national, or institutional, is fundamentally antithetical to God's character and inevitably invites His direct opposition. In a world often driven by self-exaltation, the relentless pursuit of power, and the dismissal of divine authority, this verse calls us to cultivate radical humility, recognizing that all authority, strength, and success ultimately derive from God. It compels us to examine our own hearts for any subtle seeds of arrogance, prompting us to repent and embrace a posture of utter dependence on the Lord. Furthermore, for those who feel marginalized, oppressed, or disheartened by systems of power that seem to operate with impunity, this prophecy offers immense hope and assurance: God sees, He knows, and He will act. There is an appointed "day" when His justice will be fully realized, and the proud will be brought low, making way for His righteous and eternal reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might pride be subtly manifesting, preventing me from fully submitting to God's will or serving others genuinely?**
* **How does the certainty of God's ultimate judgment against pride encourage me when I witness injustice or feel overwhelmed by oppressive powers in the world?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to cultivate a deeper spirit of humility, dependence on God, and genuine service to others in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does "most proud" specifically refer to in the context of Babylon?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 50:31, "most proud" (Hebrew: *zâdôwn*) specifically refers to Babylon's excessive, defiant arrogance and insolence. This pride was deeply rooted in its unparalleled military conquests, vast wealth, architectural grandeur, and perceived invincibility, leading it to believe itself independent of any divine authority. It manifested in its brutal treatment of conquered nations, including Judah, and its blasphemous actions against the God of Israel, such as the desecration of the temple vessels during Belshazzar's feast (as seen in [Daniel 5:1-4](/daniel/5-1-4 "Daniel 5:1-4 - Belshazzar's Feast and the Handwriting on the Wall")). This was not merely self-confidence but a presumptuous, rebellious spirit that directly challenged God's sovereignty.

**How does God "visit" a nation, and what does it mean for "thy day is come"?**

Answer: When God "visits" a nation in a hostile sense, as in Jeremiah 50:31, it means He intervenes directly to inspect, judge, and bring about consequences for its sins. This "visitation" can manifest through various means, such as military defeat, economic collapse, natural disasters, or internal decay, all orchestrated by God's sovereign hand. For "thy day is come" signifies that the period of a nation's unchecked power, prosperity, and impunity has reached its divinely appointed end. It's a prophetic declaration that the time for their reckoning, the moment of divine retribution, has arrived, and there will be no further delay or reprieve. This concept is echoed in other prophetic judgments, such as [Ezekiel 7:7](/zekiel/7-7 "Ezekiel 7:7 - The Day of Trouble is Near"), emphasizing a fixed, unavoidable time of judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 50:31, with its pronouncement of divine judgment against the "most proud" Babylon, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Babylon represents the epitome of human pride, self-exaltation, and rebellion against God, Christ embodies perfect humility and absolute obedience. The "day" of visitation for Babylon was a day of judgment and destruction, but for humanity, the "day" of Christ's first coming was a day of salvation and grace, where God "visited" His people in mercy through the incarnation of His Son ([Luke 1:68](/luke/1-68 "Luke 1:68 - Benedictus: God Has Visited His People")). Yet, Christ also speaks of a future "day" of visitation, not for a single nation, but for all who reject Him in pride and self-sufficiency. He is the one who, having humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross, was exalted by God ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")) and will ultimately humble all human arrogance, establishing His righteous and eternal kingdom where pride has no place. The final "visitation" will be His glorious return, when He will judge the living and the dead, bringing an end to all forms of pride and rebellion, and fully establishing the reign of the humble King ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return")). Thus, Babylon's fall serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the universal judgment against all pride, ultimately fulfilled in Christ's triumph over sin and self-exaltation, and His establishment of a kingdom built on humility and righteousness.

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 50:29

Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 21:13

Behold, I [am] against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:5

¶ Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, [he is] a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and [is] as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

Ezekiel 39:1

¶ Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

Nahum 2:13

Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.