Jeremiah 51:26

And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD.

And they shall not take {H3947} of thee a stone {H68} for a corner {H6438}, nor a stone {H68} for foundations {H4146}; but thou shalt be desolate {H8077} for ever {H5769}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

No one will make cornerstones or foundation-stones from you again; but you will be desolate forever," says ADONAI.

No one shall retrieve from you a cornerstone or a foundation stone, because you will become desolate forever,” declares the LORD.

And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith Jehovah.

Context

Jeremiah 51:26 is part of a lengthy prophetic oracle (Jeremiah 50-51) detailing the impending judgment and utter destruction of Babylon. While Babylon had served as God's instrument to punish Judah for its idolatry and disobedience, its own pride, cruelty, and blasphemy brought about its downfall. This verse specifically highlights the completeness and permanence of Babylon's ruin. The once mighty empire, a symbol of power and human achievement, is declared by the LORD to become so utterly desolate that its very stones will be useless for any future construction, signifying an irreversible end.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Complete Desolation: The imagery of "not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations" powerfully conveys that Babylon's destruction would be absolute. Cornerstones and foundation stones were essential for building, representing stability, permanence, and the potential for new structures. The absence of such usable stones means there will be no rebuilding, no future for the city in its former glory.
  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The declaration "saith the LORD" underscores that this desolation is not merely a consequence of human conflict but a divine decree. God is sovereign over nations, raising them up and bringing them down according to His will and justice. Babylon's fate serves as a stark reminder of God's righteous judgment against pride and wickedness.
  • Irreversibility of Judgment: The phrase "thou shalt be desolate for ever" emphasizes the enduring nature of this judgment. Unlike other cities that might be rebuilt after conquest, Babylon's ruin is prophesied to be perpetual, a testament to the severity of its sin and the certainty of God's word. This prophecy found historical fulfillment in the eventual decline and abandonment of the ancient city.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used reinforce the message of utter ruin:

  • Corner (פִּנָּה, pinnah): Refers to a prominent, strong stone at the corner of a building, crucial for its stability and alignment.
  • Foundations (מוֹסָד, mosad): Denotes the base or underpinning of a structure, upon which everything else rests. The denial of these essential elements signifies complete structural collapse and irrelevance.
  • Desolate (שְׁמָמָה, shemamah): This word conveys emptiness, ruin, and a state of being uninhabited, emphasizing the abandonment of the city.
  • For ever (לְעוֹלָם, le'olam): While sometimes meaning "for an age," in contexts of destruction and divine decree, it often signifies perpetuity or a very long, indefinite period, underscoring the enduring nature of Babylon's desolation.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 51:26 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. God's Word is True: This prophecy, along with others concerning Babylon's fall (Isaiah 13:19-22), demonstrates the unfailing accuracy of God's prophetic word. What God declares, He brings to pass, reinforcing faith in His promises and warnings.
  2. Consequences of Pride and Wickedness: Babylon's downfall serves as a powerful warning against national pride, arrogance, and oppression. No empire, no individual, can ultimately stand against the will of the Almighty God.
  3. Beware of "Spiritual Babylon": In the New Testament, the term "Babylon" is often used symbolically to represent systems of worldliness, spiritual rebellion, and opposition to God's people (e.g., Revelation 18:2). This verse reminds us that any system or lifestyle built on principles contrary to God's will is ultimately destined for desolation and will not endure.
  4. Hope in God's Enduring Kingdom: In contrast to the fleeting nature of earthly kingdoms and their inevitable ruin, God's kingdom and His promises are eternal and cannot be shaken. Our hope should be anchored in Him, not in temporary human constructs.
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.
  • Isaiah 13:19

    ¶ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • Isaiah 13:22

    And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in [their] pleasant palaces: and her time [is] near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
  • Jeremiah 51:43

    Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth [any] son of man pass thereby.
  • Jeremiah 50:12

    Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations [shall be] a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
  • Jeremiah 50:13

    Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
  • Jeremiah 50:40

    As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD; [so] shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.
  • Jeremiah 50:41

    Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

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