Jeremiah 51:3

Against [him that] bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against [him that] lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.

Against him that bendeth {H1869} let the archer {H1869} bend {H1869} his bow {H7198}, and against him that lifteth himself up {H5927} in his brigandine {H5630}: and spare {H2550} ye not her young men {H970}; destroy ye utterly {H2763} all her host {H6635}.

Let the archer draw his bow, let him flaunt his coat of mail; do not spare her young men, completely destroy her whole army.

Do not let the archer bend his bow or put on his armor. Do not spare her young men; devote all her army to destruction!

Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his coat of mail: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.

Jeremiah 51:3 is a powerful declaration of God's judgment against Babylon, serving as a divine command for the armies appointed to overthrow the mighty empire. It conveys the ferocity and totality of the impending destruction.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy prophecy in Jeremiah 50-51, specifically detailing the impending fall of Babylon, the dominant world power that had conquered Judah and taken its people into exile. God, through Jeremiah, announces that He will use other nations (primarily the Medes and Persians, though not explicitly named in this verse, their role is implied in Jeremiah 51:11) as instruments of His wrath to punish Babylon for its arrogance, idolatry, and brutal treatment of God's people. The commands in this verse are addressed to these invading forces.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution and Justice: The verse vividly portrays God's active involvement in history, orchestrating the downfall of empires that oppose Him and oppress His chosen people. The command for the attacking army to "bend his bow" and "destroy utterly" signifies a divinely sanctioned judgment against Babylon's pride and cruelty.
  • Total Annihilation of an Oppressor: The specific instructions to "spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host" underscore the severity and completeness of the impending destruction. This was not to be a partial defeat but a comprehensive dismantling of Babylon's military might and population, fulfilling prophecies of its desolation (as seen in Jeremiah 51:8).
  • God's Use of Instruments: While God is the ultimate orchestrator, He uses human armies as His instruments of judgment. The verse is a direct charge to these forces to be relentless and thorough in executing His will against Babylon.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "Against [him that] bendeth let the archer bend his bow" is a call for a mirror-image, decisive response. Babylon was renowned for its skilled archers and military prowess. The instruction here is for their enemies to meet them head-on with equal or greater force, neutralizing their primary weapon.
  • The term "brigandine" (Hebrew: siryon) refers to a type of body armor, specifically a coat of mail or scale armor worn by soldiers. This detail highlights the heavily armed and confident Babylonian warriors who are now to be targeted without mercy. It emphasizes that their military strength and pride, represented by their armor, will be utterly ineffective against God's judgment.

Practical Application

This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that no earthly power, however formidable or arrogant, can ultimately escape God's justice. Nations and individuals who oppress others or defy God's will will eventually face accountability. It underscores God's sovereignty over all nations and His ultimate plan for justice and redemption. For believers, it offers assurance that God sees the suffering of His people and will ultimately bring justice and deliverance, as He did for Israel from Babylonian captivity, leading to their eventual return and rebuilding of Jerusalem (see Jeremiah 29:10).

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 50:14

    Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 46:4

    Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with [your] helmets; furbish the spears, [and] put on the brigandines.

  • Jeremiah 50:21

    ¶ Go up against the land of Merathaim, [even] against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.

  • Isaiah 13:10

    For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

  • Isaiah 13:18

    [Their] bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

  • Deuteronomy 32:25

    The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling [also] with the man of gray hairs.

  • James 2:13

    For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

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