Jeremiah 51:21

KJV

And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;

KJV (with Strong's)

And with thee will I break in pieces {H5310} the horse {H5483} and his rider {H7392}; and with thee will I break in pieces {H5310} the chariot {H7393} and his rider {H7392};

Complete Jewish Bible

with you I shatter horses and their riders; with you I shatter chariots and their drivers;

Berean Standard Bible

With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver.

American Standard Version

and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 51:21 is a powerful declaration of Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over nations, specifically foretelling the complete and violent destruction of Babylon's military might. It reveals God's use of an appointed instrument—"thee," referring to the Medo-Persian forces—to dismantle Babylon's formidable army, symbolized by its horses, riders, and chariots. This verse underscores the certainty of divine judgment against a proud empire that had oppressed God's people, demonstrating that no earthly power can withstand the Lord's decree.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 51 continues the extensive prophetic oracle against Babylon, which began in [Jeremiah 50](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50 - Prophecy Against Babylon"). The immediate preceding verse, [Jeremiah 51:20](/jeremiah/51-20 "Jeremiah 51:20 - God's Battle Axe"), declares that the instrument of judgment (likely the Medes and Persians, or even Babylon itself in its initial role as God's "battle axe" against other nations) will now be turned against Babylon. Verse 21 then elaborates on *how* this judgment will manifest, specifying the dismantling of Babylon's military. The repetitive nature of the "breaking in pieces" emphasizes the totality of the destruction, signaling the end of Babylon's reign as a dominant world power and fulfilling earlier prophecies of its downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, renowned for its military prowess, particularly its cavalry and chariotry. These elements represented the pinnacle of ancient warfare, symbolizing speed, power, and overwhelming force. The imagery of "horse and his rider" and "chariot and his rider" would have immediately conveyed the idea of a complete military defeat to Jeremiah's audience. Historically, this prophecy found its fulfillment when Cyrus the Great, leading the Medo-Persian army, conquered Babylon in 539 BC, effectively ending its empire without a major battle, though the prophecy speaks of a more violent "breaking in pieces" which could refer to the ultimate dismantling of its power and influence. The cultural understanding of military might as the ultimate guarantor of national security makes God's declaration of its utter destruction all the more profound.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty Over Nations**, demonstrating that God raises up and casts down empires according to His will, as seen in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). Secondly, it underscores the **Total Defeat of Babylon**, a recurring theme throughout [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - The Fall of Babylon"), emphasizing that no human power, no matter how formidable, can ultimately resist God's judgment. Finally, it speaks to **Justice and Retribution**, as Babylon, which had been God's instrument of judgment against Judah (as described in [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Babylon as God's Servant")), now faces its own judgment for its pride, idolatry, and excessive cruelty, fulfilling the principle of divine recompense.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **break in pieces (Hebrew, _nâphats'_):** This primitive root (H5310) signifies a violent and complete destruction, conveying the idea of shattering, dashing to pieces, or scattering. It implies that the object of this action will be utterly demolished, leaving nothing intact or functional. In the context of military forces, it means a decisive and irreversible defeat, where the enemy's strength is not merely overcome but utterly dismantled and rendered useless.
* **horse (Hebrew, _çûwç'_):** This word (H5483) refers to a horse, often associated with its leaping or rapid movement. In ancient warfare, horses were crucial for cavalry and pulling chariots, representing speed, mobility, and offensive power. The mention of the horse specifically highlights the destruction of the swift and powerful components of Babylon's military, indicating that even their most agile units would be rendered ineffective.
* **rider (Hebrew, _râkab'_):** This primitive root (H7392) means "to ride" (on an animal or in a vehicle) or, causatively, "to place upon." While the KJV translates it as "rider," the root also encompasses the act of riding itself, implying the active element of military engagement. Its inclusion alongside "horse" and "chariot" emphasizes the defeat of the personnel who operate these instruments of war, ensuring that both the equipment and those who wield it are incapacitated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider":** This clause declares God's intention to use an external force ("thee") to utterly shatter Babylon's cavalry. The "horse and his rider" represent the swift, mobile, and often elite mounted forces of the Babylonian army. The verb "break in pieces" (nâphats) conveys a violent and complete demolition, indicating that Babylon's formidable cavalry would be decisively defeated and rendered utterly useless, their power fragmented beyond recovery.
* **"and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider":** This second clause reiterates and expands on the first, focusing on Babylon's chariotry, another cornerstone of ancient military might. Chariots were powerful, fast, and devastating in battle, often serving as the primary shock troops. The repetition of "with thee will I break in pieces" emphasizes the certainty and totality of this destruction, ensuring that not only the cavalry but also the heavy, impactful chariot divisions, along with their operators, would be completely dismantled by God's chosen instrument.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 51:21 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of absolute destruction. **Repetition** is prominent, with the phrase "break in pieces" appearing twice, underscoring the certainty, totality, and violence of Babylon's military collapse. This repetition creates a rhythmic, emphatic declaration of divine judgment. The verse also utilizes **Merism**, a figure of speech where two contrasting or complementary parts represent a whole. "The horse and his rider" and "the chariot and his rider" function as merisms, collectively representing the entire military apparatus and fighting personnel of Babylon. By specifying these key components of ancient warfare, the prophet vividly portrays the complete dismantling of Babylon's armed forces, leaving no aspect of its military strength untouched. Furthermore, the verse is rich in **Imagery**, painting a picture of shattered horses, fallen riders, and broken chariots, which evokes a visceral sense of chaos, defeat, and utter devastation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers, affirming that no nation, however mighty, can escape His ultimate judgment. It serves as a stark reminder that military strength, political dominance, or economic prowess are ultimately subservient to the divine will. God, in His perfect justice, holds nations accountable for their actions, particularly their pride, idolatry, and oppression of His people. The destruction of Babylon's military symbolizes the complete dismantling of its power and influence, demonstrating that what humans construct with great effort and pride, God can shatter with a mere word, using whomever He chooses as His instrument.

* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King Saved by Great Army")
* [Isaiah 13:1-5](/isaiah/13-1 "Isaiah 13:1-5 - Prophecy Against Babylon")
* [Daniel 4:34-35](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-35 - God's Dominion Over Kingdoms")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 51:21 offers profound lessons for believers today. In a world often dominated by powerful nations, complex political systems, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse reminds us that God remains on the throne, sovereign over all. It provides immense comfort and hope for those who feel oppressed or marginalized, assuring them that God sees injustice and will, in His perfect timing, bring about justice and liberation. Our ultimate trust should never be placed in human strength, military might, or economic stability, but solely in the omnipotent God who orchestrates the rise and fall of empires. Conversely, it serves as a solemn warning to those who wield power, whether in government, business, or even personal relationships, that accountability before a righteous God is inevitable for any unjust or oppressive actions. We are called to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God, recognizing that true power belongs to Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "breaking in pieces" Babylon's military challenge our modern reliance on military strength or national power for security?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be tempted to place our trust in earthly "horses and chariots" rather than in God's sovereignty?**
* **What hope does this verse offer to those who are currently experiencing oppression or injustice from powerful systems or individuals?**

### FAQ
**Was Babylon truly "broken in pieces" militarily, or was its fall more gradual?**

Answer: While the historical account of Babylon's fall to Cyrus in 539 BC describes a relatively swift and bloodless conquest of the city itself, the prophetic language of "breaking in pieces" (nâphats) points to the complete and utter dismantling of Babylon's military and political power structure. It signifies a decisive end to its reign as a dominant empire, a shattering of its capacity to wage war and oppress nations. Even if the final takeover of the city was strategic, the long-term effect was the complete neutralization of its military might, fulfilling the spirit of this prophecy. The "breaking in pieces" refers to the comprehensive destruction of its imperial power and influence, which indeed occurred.

**Who is "thee" in this verse, the instrument God uses?**

Answer: In the broader context of [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - The Prophecy Against Babylon"), "thee" refers to the nation or coalition of nations God would use to execute His judgment against Babylon. While [Jeremiah 51:20](/jeremiah/51-20 "Jeremiah 51:20 - God's Battle Axe") initially uses "thee" to refer to Babylon itself as God's "battle axe" against other nations, in verse 21 and the subsequent verses, the context shifts to the instrument of Babylon's *own* destruction. This is widely understood to be the Medes and Persians, led by Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon. God sovereignly raises up and uses various nations as instruments to fulfill His purposes, even to judge one another, as seen in [Isaiah 13:17](/isaiah/13-17 "Isaiah 13:17 - The Medes Against Babylon").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 51:21 directly prophesies the historical downfall of Babylon, its theological underpinnings find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The ultimate "breaking in pieces" of oppressive powers is realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God used an earthly instrument to dismantle Babylon's military might, so too did God, in Christ, decisively defeat the spiritual forces of darkness and sin that held humanity captive. The "horse and his rider" and "chariot and his rider" can be seen as types of the spiritual enemies—sin, death, and the devil—whose power over humanity was utterly "broken in pieces" at the cross and resurrection. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities") declares that Christ "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." The ultimate victory over all oppressive powers, both physical and spiritual, is not achieved by human armies but by the Lamb of God, who, through His sacrifice, conquered the very foundations of evil. When Christ returns, He will ride forth as the victorious King, as described in [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse"), to finally and completely "break in pieces" all remaining rebellion and establish His eternal kingdom, where all earthly powers will bow before Him, fulfilling the ultimate divine judgment and sovereignty.

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

Exodus 15:1

¶ Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Zechariah 10:5

¶ And they shall be as mighty [men], which tread down [their enemies] in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD [is] with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

Zechariah 12:4

In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

Micah 5:10

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots:

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.

Haggai 2:22

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

Revelation 19:18

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all [men, both] free and bond, both small and great.