Jeremiah 51:23

I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.

I will also break in pieces ^{H5310} with thee the shepherd ^{H7462} and his flock ^{H5739}; and with thee will I break in pieces ^{H5310} the husbandman ^{H406} and his yoke of oxen ^{H6776}; and with thee will I break in pieces ^{H5310} captains ^{H6346} and rulers ^{H5461}.

with you I shatter shepherds and their flocks; with you I shatter farmers and their teams; with you I shatter governors and deputies.

With you I shatter the shepherd and his flock; with you I shatter the farmer and his oxen; with you I shatter the governors and officials.

and with thee will I break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces governors and deputies.

Commentary

Jeremiah 51:23 continues the powerful prophecy against Babylon, detailing the comprehensive nature of God's impending judgment upon this mighty empire. In this verse, God speaks of using an unnamed instrument (referred to as "thee") to utterly dismantle Babylonian society from its foundational elements to its leadership.

Context

This verse is part of a long oracle in Jeremiah 50-51, which predicts the destruction of Babylon, the nation that had conquered Judah and taken its people into exile. While Judah suffered under Babylonian oppression, God promised that Babylon itself would face divine retribution for its pride, idolatry, and cruelty. The "thee" in this verse refers to the instrument God would use to execute this judgment, primarily the Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great, who would conquer Babylon in 539 BC. This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and history, raising up and bringing down empires according to His divine will, as seen in Daniel 4:17.

Key Themes

Divine Sovereignty in Judgment: The repeated phrase "I will also break in pieces with thee" emphasizes that God is the ultimate orchestrator of Babylon's downfall. He uses human agents and nations as instruments of His righteous judgment, demonstrating His absolute control over world events.
Total and Comprehensive Destruction: The verse vividly illustrates the complete dismantling of Babylon's societal structure. From "the shepherd and his flock" (representing the populace and their caretakers) to "the husbandman and his yoke of oxen" (the agricultural base, the common people) and "captains and rulers" (the military and political leadership), no segment of society would be spared from the devastating impact of this judgment.
Retributive Justice: This prophecy highlights God's justice in punishing Babylon for its oppression of His people and its defiance. Just as Babylon had "broken in pieces" other nations, it would now be broken itself, fulfilling the principle of divine recompense.

Linguistic Insights

The key Hebrew verb translated "break in pieces" is naphats (נָפַץ), which carries the strong connotation of shattering, dashing to pieces, or scattering. Its repeated use throughout this verse, and indeed in the wider passage (e.g., Jeremiah 51:20-22), underscores the violent, thorough, and irreversible nature of the destruction God would bring upon Babylon. It implies a complete fragmentation, leaving nothing intact.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 51:23 offers enduring lessons for all generations:

God's Unwavering Justice: It assures believers that God is just and will ultimately bring accountability for pride, oppression, and evil. No earthly power, however formidable, can escape divine judgment indefinitely.
Hope for the Oppressed: For those suffering under tyrannical regimes or injustice, this verse provides comfort and hope. It reminds us that God sees, hears, and will act on behalf of His people, ultimately bringing deliverance and justice. This echoes the promise of Babylon's ultimate fall in Revelation 18:2, which symbolizes the end of all oppressive systems.
Humility for the Powerful: It serves as a stark warning to those in positions of power, reminding them that their authority is ultimately derived from God and that they are accountable to Him. True strength lies not in oppression but in righteousness and justice.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 51:57

And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise [men], her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts.