Jeremiah 50:38

A drought [is] upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it [is] the land of graven images, and they are mad upon [their] idols.

A drought {H2721} is upon her waters {H4325}; and they shall be dried up {H3001}: for it is the land {H776} of graven images {H6456}, and they are mad {H1984} upon their idols {H367}.

A drought hangs over her waters; they will be dried up. For this is a land of idols; they go mad over these horrors of theirs.

A drought is upon her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and the people go mad over idols.

A drought is upon her waters, and they shall be dried up; for it is a land of graven images, and they are mad over idols.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy prophetic oracle against Babylon in Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. These chapters detail God's impending judgment against Babylon, the powerful empire that had conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem. The prophecy foretells Babylon's complete downfall, describing it as a reversal of its former glory and strength. The reference to "her waters" is significant, as Babylon was a city built on the Euphrates River, protected by extensive moats and canals, symbolizing its prosperity and security. The "drought" signifies a divinely orchestrated depletion of its resources and defenses.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Idolatry: The primary reason given for Babylon's destruction is its pervasive idolatry. The phrase "land of graven images" highlights its devotion to numerous false gods and their worship. God's judgment is a direct response to this spiritual rebellion and rejection of Him.
  • Futility of False Gods: The "drought upon her waters" symbolizes the drying up of Babylon's strength, resources, and security, demonstrating the inability of its idols to protect or sustain it. Their fervent devotion, described as being "mad upon their idols," ultimately proved fruitless and led to their downfall.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Rebellion: The verse vividly illustrates the severe consequences that follow a nation's rejection of the true God and its embrace of false worship. Prosperity and security, once thought to be guaranteed by their gods or physical defenses, are stripped away.

Linguistic Insights

The term "graven images" (Hebrew: פְּסִילִים - pesilim) refers to carved or sculpted idols, emphasizing the man-made and therefore impotent nature of their gods. The phrase "mad upon [their] idols" conveys an intense, almost frenzied obsession. It suggests a deluded and irrational devotion, underscoring the spiritual blindness that accompanies such worship and the spiritual intoxication it produces.

Related Scriptures

The prophecy of Babylon's waters drying up finds a striking parallel in historical accounts of Cyrus the Great's conquest, where he famously diverted the Euphrates River to enter the city, a fulfillment alluded to in Isaiah 44:27 and Isaiah 44:28. The condemnation of idolatry is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4-5) to the New Testament warnings against spiritual idolatry, such as when covetousness is equated with idolatry in Colossians 3:5. This verse powerfully illustrates the principle that those who make idols become like them, powerless and ultimately abandoned.

Practical Application

While ancient Babylon's physical idols are no longer worshipped in the same way, the principle of idolatry remains highly relevant today. Modern "idols" can include anything that takes the place of God in our lives—money, power, possessions, career, relationships, or even self-image. This KJV verse serves as a timeless warning that excessive devotion to anything other than the Creator leads to a "drought" in our spiritual lives, leaving us vulnerable, unfulfilled, and ultimately subject to the consequences of misplaced trust. It calls us to examine our allegiances and ensure that our ultimate trust and worship are directed solely towards the living God, who alone can provide true security and lasting satisfaction, as highlighted in the promise of living water in John 4:14.

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.

  • Jeremiah 50:2

    Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

  • Revelation 16:12

    ¶ And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

  • Isaiah 44:27

    That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

  • Jeremiah 51:47

    Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.

  • Jeremiah 51:52

    Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.

  • Jeremiah 51:44

    And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.

  • Jeremiah 51:32

    And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.

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