Jeremiah 50:9

Translation
King James Version
¶ 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.
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KJV (with Strong's)
For, lo, I will raise H5782 and cause to come up H5927 against Babylon H894 an assembly H6951 of great H1419 nations H1471 from the north H6828 country H776: and they shall set themselves in array H6186 against her; from thence she shall be taken H3920: their arrows H2671 shall be as of a mighty H1368 expert man H7919 H7921; none shall return H7725 in vain H7387.
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Complete Jewish Bible
for I will stir up and bring against Bavel an alliance of great nations from the country to the north. They will array themselves against her; from there she will be captured. Their arrows are like those of a death-dealing warrior; none will return in vain.
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Berean Standard Bible
For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.
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American Standard Version
For, lo, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company 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 an expert mighty man; none shall return in vain.
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World English Bible Messianic
For, behold, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country; and they shall set themselves in array against her; from there she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of an expert mighty man; no one shall return in vain.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
For loe, I will raise, and cause to come vp against Babel a multitude of mightie natios from the North countrey, and they shall set themselues in aray against her, whereby shee shall be taken: their arrowes shall be as of a strong man, which is expert, for none shall returne in vaine.
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Young's Literal Translation
For, lo, I am stirring up, And am causing to come up against Babylon, An assembly of great nations from a land of the north, And they have set in array against her, From thence she is captured, Its arrow--as a skilful hero--returneth not empty,
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See also
Jeremiah 51:1Jeremiah 51:4Jeremiah 15:142 Samuel 1:22Isaiah 21:2Jeremiah 50:3Jeremiah 50:29
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Prophecy Against Babylon
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In the KJVVerse 20,176 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Jeremiah 50:9 is a potent prophetic declaration foretelling the divinely orchestrated downfall of Babylon, the dominant and oppressive empire of Jeremiah's era. This verse, embedded within a larger oracle of judgment, reveals that God Himself will mobilize a formidable coalition of "great nations" from the north to besiege and conquer Babylon, ensuring their military campaign is executed with such precision and effectiveness that every strike achieves its intended purpose, leaving no effort wasted and guaranteeing the city's inevitable capture.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Jeremiah 50:9 is situated within a lengthy and detailed oracle against Babylon, spanning chapters 50 and 51 of the Book of Jeremiah. These chapters serve as a powerful counterpoint to the preceding prophecies of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem, offering a message of hope and vindication to the exiled Israelites. While Judah experienced the bitter consequences of its sin through Babylonian conquest, these chapters assure God's people that their oppressor will not escape divine reckoning. This specific verse initiates a vivid description of the invading forces and their overwhelming success, setting the stage for Babylon's complete desolation as described in subsequent verses, such as the call for total destruction in Jeremiah 50:26. The detailed military imagery here emphasizes the certainty and thoroughness of the impending divine judgment.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: At the time of Jeremiah's prophecy (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), Babylon, under the Neo-Babylonian Empire, was the preeminent global power, having conquered Assyria and, notably, Judah, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile of its inhabitants. The "north country" in Jeremiah's prophecies consistently refers to the direction from which invaders, often instruments of God's judgment, would emerge. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled by the Medo-Persian Empire, which, under Cyrus the Great, conquered Babylon in 539 BCE. The Medes and Persians, indeed, came from the north and east, forming a powerful coalition that meticulously planned and executed the siege of Babylon. The reference to "arrows as of a mighty expert man" reflects the advanced military tactics and weaponry of the ancient Near East, where archery was a crucial component of warfare, highlighting the formidable skill and precision of the approaching armies.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores Divine Sovereignty, asserting God's absolute control over the rise and fall of nations. Babylon's seemingly unassailable power is shown to be entirely subject to God's will, as He declares, "I will raise and cause to come up." Secondly, it highlights the theme of Inevitable Judgment against pride and oppression. Babylon, which served as God's instrument against Judah, would itself face a just and certain recompense for its arrogance and cruelty, a truth that echoes throughout prophetic warnings against empires that exalt themselves against God, as seen in Isaiah 13. Thirdly, the prophecy offers Hope and Vindication for God's exiled people. The assurance that their oppressor would be overthrown provided immense comfort and a promise of future restoration, reinforcing God's covenant faithfulness even amidst national catastrophe, a promise of return also found in Jeremiah 29:10.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • raise (Hebrew, ʻûwr', H5782): This primitive root means "to wake (literally or figuratively)," "to lift up (self)," or "to stir up (self)." In this context, it signifies God's active, intentional, and sovereign stirring up or awakening of nations. It's not a passive observation but a divine instigation, emphasizing that the impending invasion is directly purposed and initiated by God, not merely a natural geopolitical event.
  • nations (Hebrew, gôwy', H1471): This term, often translated as "nation" or "people," specifically refers to a "foreign nation" or "Gentile." The use of the plural "great nations" emphasizes the formidable and diverse coalition that God will assemble against Babylon, underscoring the overwhelming nature of the force and the global scope of God's judgment, extending beyond a single adversary.
  • in vain (Hebrew, rêyqâm', H7387): Derived from a root meaning "empty," this adverb means "emptily," "ineffectually," or "without cause." When paired with "none shall return," it powerfully conveys the absolute certainty and effectiveness of the attack. Every arrow shot, every military maneuver, will achieve its intended destructive purpose; nothing will be wasted, nothing will fail to hit its mark, ensuring Babylon's complete and decisive defeat.

Verse Breakdown

  • "For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country:": This opening clause immediately establishes divine agency. God (the "I") is the primary actor, not merely predicting but actively orchestrating the events. He will "raise" (stir up) and "cause to come up" (bring forth) a formidable "assembly" (a deliberate, organized gathering) of "great nations" (a powerful, multi-ethnic coalition, historically the Medes and Persians) against Babylon. The specific geographical indicator "from the north country" points to the customary direction of invaders into Mesopotamia, signaling the precise origin of this divinely appointed force.
  • "and they shall set themselves in array against her;": This phrase describes the military precision and strategic organization of the attacking forces. "Setting themselves in array" (Hebrew, ʻârak H6186) implies a disciplined formation for battle, a methodical preparation for siege and assault. This is not a chaotic mob but a well-ordered army, indicating the methodical and overwhelming nature of the impending conquest.
  • "from thence she shall be taken:": This concise statement declares the inevitable outcome: Babylon's capture. The Hebrew word for "taken" (Hebrew, lâkad H3920) means "to catch (in a net, trap or pit)" or "to capture or occupy." It signifies a complete and decisive seizure, emphasizing that the city, despite its fortifications, will be ensnared and overcome.
  • "their arrows [shall be] as of a mighty expert man;": This vivid military simile highlights the skill, power, and accuracy of the invading archers. The "mighty expert man" (Hebrew, gibbôwr H1368, sâkal H7919) refers to a highly skilled, powerful warrior, one whose shots are precise and devastating. This imagery conveys the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of the attack, suggesting that the invaders' military prowess will be exceptional and devastatingly effective.
  • "none shall return in vain.": This final, emphatic declaration underscores the absolute certainty and completeness of the victory. Every arrow loosed, every effort expended by the invading armies, will achieve its intended destructive purpose. There will be no wasted effort, no failed attempts; the campaign will be utterly successful, leading to Babylon's total subjugation.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 50:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of certain judgment. Divine Fiat is paramount, as God explicitly states, "I will raise and cause to come up," asserting His direct, active, and sovereign control over historical events and the destinies of nations. This declaration functions as a performative utterance, where the speaking of the word ensures its fulfillment. Military Imagery is central, with phrases like "set themselves in array," "arrows," and "mighty expert man" creating a vivid mental picture of a highly organized, powerful, and effective military campaign. This imagery not only describes the means of judgment but also emphasizes its overwhelming nature. The phrase "none shall return in vain" functions as Hyperbole or Emphatic Language, underscoring the absolute certainty and thoroughness of the destruction. While literally every single arrow might not hit a target, the expression conveys that the collective effort will be entirely successful, leaving no aspect of the mission unfulfilled. This contributes to the overall sense of Prophetic Certainty, a hallmark of Jeremiah's message, assuring both the oppressors of their doom and the oppressed of God's unwavering justice.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Jeremiah 50:9 is a profound declaration of God's sovereign control over human history and His unwavering commitment to justice. It reveals that even the most formidable empires are mere instruments or targets in His divine plan, subject to His will and accountable for their actions. The prophecy assures that no power, however mighty, can ultimately stand against the Lord of Hosts. This serves as a powerful reminder that God sees the suffering of His people and will bring recompense upon their oppressors, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant and His ultimate vindication of the righteous. The detailed description of Babylon's fall underscores the certainty of divine judgment for national pride and cruelty, providing a timeless lesson on the transient nature of earthly power and the enduring nature of God's righteousness.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 50:9 offers profound truths that resonate deeply with believers today. In a world often characterized by political instability, global conflicts, and the rise and fall of powerful entities, this verse firmly reminds us that God remains enthroned above all. No nation, no empire, no human system, however dominant or oppressive, operates outside of His sovereign purview. This truth provides immense comfort and hope, assuring us that even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust, God is actively working His purposes, bringing about His justice in His time. It encourages us to trust in His ultimate control, to find our security not in earthly powers, but in the unchanging character of God, who hears the cries of the oppressed and will ultimately bring down those who exalt themselves. Furthermore, it challenges us to align our lives and our societies with God's righteous standards, knowing that all actions, both individual and corporate, will ultimately be brought into account before Him.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the declaration "I will raise and cause to come up" impact your understanding of God's sovereignty over current global events and political landscapes?
  • In what ways does the certainty of Babylon's judgment provide comfort or challenge to your own understanding of justice in the world today?
  • What "empires" or oppressive systems in our modern context might this prophecy encourage us to pray against, trusting in God's ultimate intervention?

FAQ

Was Babylon's fall a natural historical event, or was it truly orchestrated by God?

Answer: While the conquest of Babylon by the Medo-Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE was a verifiable historical event, Jeremiah 50:9, along with other prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 44:28), strongly asserts that it was not merely a natural geopolitical shift but a divinely orchestrated act. The language "I will raise and cause to come up" explicitly states God's active involvement, indicating that He raised up the Medes and Persians as His instruments of judgment against Babylon. This perspective highlights God's sovereignty over history, demonstrating that human empires rise and fall according to His ultimate plan and purpose.

What is the significance of the "north country" in Jeremiah's prophecies?

Answer: In Jeremiah's prophecies, the "north country" consistently serves as a geographical marker for the source of impending judgment or invasion. While it often referred to Babylon itself as the initial instrument of God's wrath against Judah (e.g., Jeremiah 1:14), in prophecies against Babylon, it specifically points to the Medo-Persian Empire. This empire, which conquered Babylon, was indeed located to Babylon's north and east, reinforcing the accuracy of Jeremiah's prophetic foresight and God's precise control over the instruments of His judgment.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Jeremiah 50:9 directly prophesies the historical downfall of ancient Babylon, its deeper theological resonance points toward the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom through Jesus Christ. The "assembly of great nations" raised by God to execute judgment foreshadows the universal scope of God's redemptive and judicial plan. Just as Babylon, the oppressive empire, faced certain judgment, so too will all systems of human pride, injustice, and rebellion against God ultimately be brought to nothing by the sovereign hand of God. In Christ, we see the definitive "mighty expert man," not wielding arrows of destruction, but the "sword of his mouth" (Revelation 1:16) and the power of His cross, which decisively conquered sin, death, and the powers of darkness. His mission did not "return in vain"; rather, His sacrifice on Calvary achieved perfect atonement, and His resurrection secured eternal victory, fulfilling God's redemptive purpose with absolute certainty (Hebrews 9:12). The final "Babylon" – representing all anti-God systems – will ultimately fall before the returning Christ, whose reign will be one of perfect justice and peace, establishing a kingdom that will never be taken (Revelation 18:2 and Daniel 2:44). Thus, this ancient prophecy of a temporal judgment points forward to the eternal and comprehensive victory secured by the Lamb of God.

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Commentary on Jeremiah 50 verses 9–20

God is here by his prophet, as afterwards in his providence, proceeding in his controversy with Babylon. Observe,

I. The commission and charge given to the instruments that were to be employed in destroying Babylon. The army that is to do it is called an assembly of great nations (Jer 50:9), the Medes and Persians, and all their allies and auxiliaries; it is called an assembly, because regularly formed by the divine will and counsel to do this execution. God will raise them up to do it, will incline them to and fir them for this service, and then he will cause them to come up, for all their motions are under his conduct and direction: he shall give the word of command, shall order them to put themselves in array against Babylon (Jer 50:14), and then they shall put themselves in array (Jer 50:9), for what God appoints to be done shall be done; and thence she shall be quickly taken; from their first sitting down before it they shall be still gaining ground against it till it be taken. God shall bid them shoot at her and spare no arrows (Jer 50:14), and then their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man, that has both skill and strength, a good eye and a good hand (Jer 50:9); none shall return in vain. When God gives commission he will give success. Nay, they are bidden not only to shoot at her (Jer 50:14), but to shout against her (Jer 50:15) with a triumphant shout, as those that are already sure of victory. Those whom God directs to shoot may do so with shouting, for they are sure not to miss the mark.

II. The desolation and destruction itself that shall be brought upon Babylon. This is here set forth in a great variety of expressions. 1. The wealth of Babylon shall be a rich and easy prey to the conquerors (Jer 50:10): Chaldea shall be a spoil to all her destroyers, who shall enrich themselves by plundering her, and, which is strange, all that spoil her shall be satisfied; they shall have so much that even they themselves shall say that they have enough. 2. The country of Babylon shall be depopulated and lie uninhabited: It shall be wholly desolate (Jer 50:13) to such a degree that every one who goes by shall triumph in her fall, and, instead of condoling with them, shall hiss at all her plagues, Jer 50:13. 3. Their ancestors shall be ashamed of their cowardice, in fleeing from the first onset (Jer 50:12), or, Your mother, Babylon itself, the mother-city, shall be confounded, when she sees herself deserted by those that should have been her guards. Thus the former ages of Christians may justly be confounded and ashamed to see how unlike them the latter ages are, and how wretchedly they have degenerated; and no sin brings a surer and sorer ruin upon persons, or people, than apostasy. 4. The great admirers of Babylon shall see it rendered very despicable: the last of kingdoms, the very tail of the nations, shall it be, a wilderness, a dry land, a desert, Jer 50:12. The country that was populous shall be dispeopled, that was enriched with a fertile soil shall become barren. 5. The great city, the head of it, shall be quite ruined. Her foundations have fallen, and therefore her walls are thrown down; for how can the walls stand when divine vengeance is at the door and shakes the very foundations? It is the vengeance of the Lord, which nothing can contend with either in law or battle. 6. There shall not be left in Babylon so much as the poor of the land, for vine-dressers and husbandmen, as there was in Israel (Jer 50:16): The sower shall be cut off from Babylon, and he that handles the sickle; the country shall be so emptied of people that there shall be none to till the ground and gather in the fruits of it. Harvest shall come, and there shall be no reapers; seed-time shall come, but there shall be no sower; God will do his part, but there shall be no men to do theirs. 7. All their auxiliary forces, which they have hired into their service, shall ??desert them, as mercenary men often do upon the approach of danger (Jer 50:16): For fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people. This was threatened before concerning Egypt, Jer 46:16.

III. The procuring provoking cause of this destruction. It comes from God's displeasure; it is because of the wrath of the Lord that Babylon shall be wholly desolate (Jer 50:13), and his wrath is righteous, for (Jer 50:14) she hath sinned against the Lord, therefore spare no arrows. Note, It is sin that makes men a mark for the arrows of God's judgments. An abundance of idolatry and immorality was to be found in Babylon, yet those are not mentioned as the reason of God's displeasure against them, but the injuries they had done to the people of God, from a principle of enmity to them as his people. They have been the destroyers of God's heritage (Jer 50:11); herein indeed God made use of them for the necessary correction of his people, and yet it is laid to their charge as a heinous crime, because they designed nothing but their utter destruction. 1. What they did against Jerusalem they did with pleasure (Jer 50:11): You were glad, you rejoice. God does not afflict his people willingly, and therefore takes it very ill if the instruments he employs afflict them willingly. When Titus Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem he wept over it, but these Chaldeans triumphed over it. 2. The spoils of Jerusalem they made use of to feed their own luxury: "You have grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; your having conquered Jerusalem has made you very wanton and proud, easy to yourselves and formidable to all about you, and therefore you must be a spoil." Those that have thus swallowed down riches must vomit them up again. Therefore they have given their hand (Jer 50:15); they have surrendered themselves to the conqueror, have tamely yielded so that now you may take vengeance on her, now you may make reprisals and do unto her as she hath done. 3. They aimed at nothing less than the utter ruin of God's Israel: Israel is a scattered sheep, as before (Jer 50:6), that is not only barked at and worried by dogs, but even lions, the most potent adversaries, have roared upon him and driven him away, Jer 50:17. One king of Assyria carried the ten tribes quite away and devoured them; another invaded Judah, and plundered and impoverished it, tore the fleece and flesh of this poor sheep; and now at last this Nebuchadnezzar, that is the terror and plague of all his neighbours, has taken advantage of the low condition to which he is reduced, and he has fallen upon him and broken his bones, has quite ruined him, and therefore the king of Babylon must be punished as the king of Assyria was, Jer 50:18. Note, Those who pursue and prosecute the sins of their predecessors must expect to be pursued and prosecuted by their plagues; if they do as they did, let them fare as they fared.

IV. The mercy promised to the Israel of God, which shall not only accompany, but accrue from, the destruction of Babylon. 1. God will return their captivity; they shall be released out of their bondage, and brought again to their own habitation as sheep that were scattered to their own fold Jer 50:19. They still retained a title to the land of Canaan; it is their habitation still. The discontinuance of their possession was not the destruction of their right. But now they shall recover the enjoyment of it again. 2. He will restore their prosperity; they shall not only live, but live comfortably, in their own land again; they shall feed upon Carmel and Bashan, the richest and most fruitful parts of the country. These sheep shall be gathered from the deserts to which they were dispersed, and put again into good pasture, which their soul shall be satisfied with though they shall come hungry to it, having been so long stinted, and straitened, and kept short, yet they shall find enough to satiate them and shall have hearts to be satiated with it. They enquired the way to Zion (Jer 50:5), where God was to be served and worshipped. This was what they chiefly aimed at in their return; but God will not only bring them thither, but bring them also to Carmel and Bashan, where they shall abundantly feed themselves. Note, Those that return to God and their duty shall find true satisfaction of soul in so doing; and those that seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, that aim to make their habitation in Zion, the holy hill, shall have other things added to them, even all the comforts of Ephraim and Gilead, the fruitful hills. 3. God will pardon their iniquity; this is the root of all the rest (Jer 50:20): In those days the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none. Not only the punishments of their iniquity shall be taken off, but the offence which it gave to God shall be forgotten, and he will be reconciled to them. Their sin shall be before him as if it had never been; it shall be blotted out as a cloud, crossed out as a debt, shall be cast behind his back; nay, it shall be cast into the depth of the sea, shall be no longer sealed up among God's treasures, nor in any danger of appearing again or rising up against them. This denotes how fully God forgives sin; he remembers it no more. Note, Deliverances out of trouble are then comforts indeed when they are the fruits of the forgiveness of sin, Isa 38:17. Judah and Israel were so fully forgiven when they were brought back out of Babylon that they are said to have received of the Lord's hand double for all their sins, Isa 40:2. This may include also a thorough reformation of their hearts and lives, as well as a full remission of their sins. If any seek for idols or any idolatrous customs among them, after their return, there shall be none, they shall not find them; their dross shall be purely purged away, and by that it shall appear that their guilt is so; for I will pardon those whom I reserve; I will be propitious to them (so the word is) and that must be through him who is the great propitiation. Note, Those whose sins God pardons he reserves for something very great; for whom he justifies them he glorifies.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 9–20. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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