Jeremiah 51:31

KJV

One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at [one] end,

KJV (with Strong's)

One post {H7323} shall run {H7323} to meet {H7125} another {H7323}, and one messenger {H5046} to meet {H7125} another {H5046}, to shew {H5046} the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} that his city {H5892} is taken {H3920} at one end {H7097},

Complete Jewish Bible

One runner runs to meet another, messenger to meet messenger, to report to the king of Bavel that every part of his city is taken,

Berean Standard Bible

One courier races to meet another, and messenger follows messenger, to announce to the king of Babylon that his city has been captured from end to end.

American Standard Version

One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken on every quarter:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 51:31 powerfully depicts the chaotic and urgent scene of Babylon's sudden and inevitable fall, portraying a frantic relay of messengers converging from all directions to inform the king that his seemingly impregnable city has been breached and captured. This vivid prophetic declaration underscores the divine judgment against the oppressive Babylonian empire, emphasizing the swiftness and certainty of its destruction as God orchestrates the liberation of His people and the vindication of His righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 51:31 is situated within a comprehensive prophetic oracle against Babylon, which spans [Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Babylon"). This extensive prophecy details God's righteous judgment against the nation that had previously served as His instrument of discipline against Judah, but which then exceeded its commission through pride and cruelty. The verses immediately preceding this one ([Jeremiah 51:29-30](/jeremiah/51-29-30 "Jeremiah 51:29-30 - Desolation of Babylon")) describe the land of Babylon becoming desolate and its mighty warriors ceasing to fight, setting the stage for the internal panic conveyed in verse 31. The subsequent verses ([Jeremiah 51:32-33](/jeremiah/51-32-33 "Jeremiah 51:32-33 - Babylon Threshed")) continue to elaborate on the complete overthrow, detailing seized fords and burned fortresses, likening Babylon to a threshing floor. Thus, verse 31 serves as a dramatic focal point, illustrating the internal disarray and the rapid dissemination of catastrophic news within the city as the external siege culminates in its breach.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy against Babylon was delivered by Jeremiah during a period when Babylon was the undisputed world superpower, having conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. The city of Babylon itself was legendary for its immense fortifications, including massive double walls and the Euphrates River flowing through its heart, rendering it seemingly impregnable to external assault. Culturally, Babylon symbolized the zenith of human power, idolatry, and arrogance, standing in stark opposition to the covenant people of God. The imagery of messengers running reflects a common ancient practice of relaying urgent military intelligence, but here it is intensified to convey overwhelming and inescapable disaster. Historically, this prophecy found its dramatic fulfillment in 539 BC when Cyrus the Great, leading the Medo-Persian forces, conquered Babylon. Accounts, such as that found in [Daniel 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon"), describe the city being taken by diverting the Euphrates River and entering through its dried-up riverbed, a testament to the sudden and unexpected nature of its fall.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of Jeremiah's prophecy, powerfully contributes to several overarching themes. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating that even the most formidable human empires are ultimately subject to God's supreme authority and righteous retribution for their pride and oppression of His people, as seen in [Jeremiah 50:23](/jeremiah/50-23 "Jeremiah 50:23 - Babylon, the Hammer of the Whole Earth"). The chaotic rush of messengers highlights the **Swiftness and Certainty of God's Prophetic Word**, illustrating that divine decrees, once issued, will be fulfilled with precision and overwhelming force, leaving no escape, much like the promise in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose"). Furthermore, it speaks to the **Fallibility of Human Power and Security**, serving as a potent reminder that no earthly kingdom, no matter how fortified or seemingly invincible, can withstand the judgment of the Almighty. This redirects trust from temporal might to the eternal kingdom of God, echoing the sentiment in [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Frustrates the Plans of Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Run (Hebrew, _rûwts'_):** This primitive root (H7323) signifies "to run" for various reasons, often implying speed, urgency, or rushing. In this context, it describes the frantic, rapid movement of couriers, emphasizing the immediate and chaotic nature of the news. The term "post" in the KJV (derived from the same root) refers to a swift runner or messenger, highlighting the desperate attempt to convey critical information across a city under siege. The repetition of this action underscores the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the crisis.
* **Messenger/Shew (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** This primitive root (H5046) primarily means "to front," "to stand boldly out opposite," and causatively, "to manifest" or "to announce" (always by word of mouth to one present). Here, "messenger" (a participle form of _nâgad_) refers to the one who delivers the news, and "to shew" (an infinitive form of _nâgad_) means to declare, report, or make known. The use of this word emphasizes the direct, verbal, and urgent communication of the catastrophe unfolding within Babylon. It's not merely news, but a stark, undeniable declaration of defeat.
* **Taken (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** This primitive root (H3920) means "to catch" (as in a net or trap), "to capture," or "to occupy." In the context of a city, it unequivocally means "to be captured" or "to be seized." This word is central to the verse's message, as it conveys the ultimate outcome of the frantic activity: Babylon, once mighty and secure, is now definitively in the hands of its conquerors. The passive voice ("is taken") underscores the city's helplessness and the overwhelming nature of the assault.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"One post shall run to meet another":** This initial clause immediately establishes a scene of intense, frantic activity and disarray. A "post" refers to a swift runner or courier, often employed for urgent communications. The image is of multiple messengers, perhaps dispatched from different breach points or defensive sectors of the city, converging to relay critical news. The repetition ("one... another") conveys a sense of continuous, overwhelming communication, emphasizing the speed and widespread nature of the unfolding disaster. It suggests a desperate, uncoordinated effort to gather and disseminate intelligence as the city's defenses collapse.
* **"and one messenger to meet another":** This phrase reiterates and intensifies the previous one, using a slightly different term for "messenger" (which can also imply an official envoy or herald). The parallelism reinforces the sheer volume and urgency of the information flow. It paints a picture of utter chaos, where the normal channels of communication are overwhelmed, and reports are coming in from every direction, confirming the dire situation from multiple perspectives. This frantic movement highlights the internal panic spreading rapidly through the city.
* **"to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end":** This final clause reveals the dire content of the messages. All the frantic running and meeting of couriers is for the singular, devastating purpose of informing the king of the catastrophic news: his seemingly impregnable city has been breached and captured. The phrase "at one end" is crucial, implying that the capture began at a specific point, but the immediate and widespread relay of news suggests that this initial breach quickly led to a broader collapse, or that news is coming from various points of entry, confirming the city's fall from multiple directions. It underscores the sudden, overwhelming, and irreversible nature of the conquest.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 51:31 employs several potent literary devices to convey the dramatic and chaotic fall of Babylon. **Repetition** is prominently featured with the phrase "one post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another," which effectively creates a powerful sense of frantic urgency and overwhelming chaos. This **Parallelism** emphasizes the ceaseless and pervasive flow of dire news, suggesting that the city is being overrun from multiple directions simultaneously. The verse also utilizes vivid **Imagery** of swift movement and desperate communication, painting a visceral picture of a once-proud and seemingly impregnable city descending into panic as its defenses crumble. The concise, direct declaration that the city "is taken" serves as a powerful **Understatement** given the preceding imagery of frantic activity, yet it delivers the devastating news with chilling finality, underscoring the completeness of Babylon's defeat.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the principle of divine judgment against human arrogance and oppression. Babylon, having served as God's instrument of wrath against Judah, had overstepped its bounds, boasting in its own might and cruelly dominating God's people. Jeremiah 51:31 declares that God, in His perfect justice, will not allow such tyranny to go unpunished. The swift, chaotic fall of Babylon serves as a stark reminder that all earthly powers are ultimately subject to the sovereign will of the Almighty. It underscores the truth that God is the ultimate ruler of nations, raising up and bringing down kingdoms according to His righteous purposes. This prophecy offers profound comfort and hope to the oppressed, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will ultimately bring vindication and deliverance.

* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Judges the Earth")
* [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules in the Kingdom of Men")
* [Revelation 18:8](/revelation/18-8 "Revelation 18:8 - The Sudden Fall of Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 51:31 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers. In a world often dominated by seemingly invincible forces, oppressive systems, and human pride, this prophecy assures us that no empire, no matter how mighty or secure, is beyond the reach of divine judgment. It challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust: in the fleeting strength of human institutions, political powers, or economic systems, or in the eternal, unshakeable kingdom of God. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of humility, recognizing that all true power and authority ultimately derive from Him. It also encourages us to live with a prophetic imagination, understanding that God's word is always true and will ultimately be fulfilled, bringing justice to the oppressed and accountability to the proud. Our ultimate hope is not in the rise and fall of nations, but in the steadfast character and unfailing promises of God, who alone is worthy of our trust and allegiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of frantic messengers in this verse challenge our perceptions of security and control in our own lives or in society today?**
* **What modern "Babylons"—whether they be systems, ideologies, or powerful entities—do we see today that might be ripe for God's judgment, and how should this prophecy shape our prayers and actions concerning them?**
* **In what practical ways can we better place our trust in God's ultimate sovereignty rather than in the temporary strengths or perceived invincibility of earthly powers?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "one post shall run to meet another" in Jeremiah 51:31?**

Answer: This vivid imagery signifies the extreme urgency, chaos, and overwhelming nature of the news of Babylon's fall. A "post" refers to a swift runner or courier. The repetition emphasizes that news of the city's capture is coming in from multiple directions simultaneously and with such speed that messengers are literally encountering each other as they rush to deliver their dire reports to the king. It paints a picture of a city completely overwhelmed, where the news of its demise is spreading like wildfire, leaving no doubt about the sudden and complete nature of its defeat. This dramatic portrayal underscores the divine certainty and swiftness of God's judgment against Babylon, as prophesied throughout [Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Babylon").

**Does "his city is taken at one end" imply that only part of Babylon was captured?**

Answer: While "at one end" might initially suggest a partial capture, in the context of this prophetic declaration and its historical fulfillment, it signifies the initial breach or entry point that decisively compromises the city's defenses and leads to its complete and rapid fall. The frantic relay of news from "one end" indicates that the city's defenses have been breached at a critical point, leading to an inevitable and total collapse. It highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the conquest, as the news of the initial breach would quickly spread, confirming the city's utter defeat. This aligns with historical accounts of Babylon's fall, such as in [Daniel 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon"), where the city was taken in a single night, not piecemeal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 51:31, depicting the dramatic and chaotic fall of earthly Babylon, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's kingdom over all opposing powers, culminating in the final overthrow of spiritual "Babylon" at the return of Christ. Just as ancient Babylon symbolized human pride, idolatry, and oppressive opposition to God's people, so too does "Babylon the Great" in the New Testament represent the corrupt world system that stands against Christ and His church (cf. [Revelation 17:5](/revelation/17-5 "Revelation 17:5 - Mystery, Babylon the Great")). The swift and decisive capture of Babylon in Jeremiah powerfully foreshadows the sudden and absolute judgment that will be executed by Christ upon all unrighteousness and rebellion at the end of the age. No frantic messengers will be able to save the kingdoms of this world when the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords") returns to establish His eternal reign. The "Lamb of God" (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), who once suffered at the hands of earthly powers, will return as the victorious warrior, bringing down every stronghold that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (cf. [2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4-5 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Weapons of Our Warfare")). The chaotic scene of Babylon's fall thus points to the glorious and certain victory of Christ, who will ultimately bring perfect justice, establish His righteous kingdom, and deliver His people from all oppression, forever.

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

2 Samuel 18:19

¶ Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.

2 Samuel 18:31

And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.

2 Chronicles 30:6

So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.

Isaiah 21:3

Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing [of it]; I was dismayed at the seeing [of it].

Isaiah 21:9

And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Jeremiah 50:24

I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.

Jeremiah 4:20

Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, [and] my curtains in a moment.