Jeremiah 50:46

At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.

At the noise {H6963} of the taking {H8610} of Babylon {H894} the earth {H776} is moved {H7493}, and the cry {H2201} is heard {H8085} among the nations {H1471}.

At the sound of Bavel's capture the earth quakes; their cry is heard throughout the nations.

At the sound of Babylon’s capture the earth will quake; a cry will be heard among the nations.

At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth trembleth, and the cry is heard among the nations.

Context

Jeremiah 50 is a significant prophetic chapter dedicated to the impending destruction of Babylon, the dominant world power of Jeremiah's time and the nation responsible for the exile of Judah. This verse, along with chapter 51, vividly details God's judgment against Babylon, which was then at the height of its power under kings like Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah 50:46 encapsulates the dramatic, widespread impact of Babylon's fall, emphasizing that its demise would not be a quiet affair but a global spectacle, sending shockwaves across the ancient world.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand in bringing down even the mightiest empires. Babylon, known for its arrogance, idolatry, and cruelty towards God's people, faced divine retribution, fulfilling the prophecies of God's justice. This echoes themes found elsewhere, such as in Isaiah's earlier prophecies against Babylon.
  • Universal Impact: The phrase "the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations" underscores the far-reaching consequences of Babylon's fall. Its collapse sent shockwaves across the ancient world, impacting all nations that had either been oppressed by its power or witnessed its immense influence. It signifies a seismic shift in global power dynamics.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jeremiah's detailed predictions concerning Babylon's demise served as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in executing His word, whether in judgment or blessing. This demonstrated that God is in control of history and that His revealed word will always come to pass.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "moved" is ra'ash (רַעַשׁ), which often describes a "trembling," "shaking," or even an "earthquake." This conveys the idea of a violent, disruptive event that causes a literal and metaphorical shaking of the foundations of the world order. The "cry" is tse'aqah (צְעָקָה), denoting a loud wail or outcry, typically associated with distress, alarm, or deep anguish. It highlights the profound reaction of astonishment, fear, or even relief among those who witnessed or heard of Babylon's catastrophic collapse.

Related Scriptures

The fall of Babylon is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, symbolizing God's ultimate victory over oppressive worldly systems. This dramatic historical event finds powerful parallels in the prophetic visions of Daniel, particularly the account of Belshazzar's feast and the mysterious handwriting on the wall that foretold its immediate downfall. The symbolic "Babylon the Great" in the New Testament book of Revelation also experiences a similar catastrophic fall, with its demise causing widespread lamentation and astonishment among the nations, echoing the language and impact described in Jeremiah.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 50:46 reminds us that God remains sovereign over all nations and history. No empire, no matter how powerful, wealthy, or seemingly invincible, is beyond His divine judgment. This verse offers both a solemn warning against national pride, injustice, and idolatry, and a profound message of hope for the oppressed. It assures believers that God will ultimately bring justice to the earth and that His plans will always prevail, regardless of the temporary dominance of worldly powers. It encourages us to place our trust not in fleeting human strength or political systems, but in the eternal power of God, who "removeth kings, and setteth up kings" (Daniel 2:21).

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 49:21

    The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.

  • Ezekiel 31:16

    I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.

  • Ezekiel 26:18

    Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that [are] in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure.

  • Revelation 18:9

    ¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

  • Revelation 18:19

    And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

  • Isaiah 14:9

    Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet [thee] at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, [even] all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

  • Isaiah 14:10

    All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?

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