Jeremiah 51:36

KJV

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Behold, I will plead {H7378} thy cause {H7379}, and take vengeance {H5358} for thee {H5360}; and I will dry up {H2717} her sea {H3220}, and make her springs {H4726} dry {H3001}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore here is what ADONAI says: "I will plead your cause. I will take vengeance for you. I will dry up her river and make her water sources dry.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.

American Standard Version

Therefore thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her fountain dry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 51:36 is a powerful declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His people, Judah, by promising decisive judgment against their oppressor, Babylon. The Lord pledges to act as a divine advocate, pleading their cause and executing righteous vengeance on their behalf. This divine retribution is vividly depicted through the imagery of drying up Babylon's vital water sources—its "sea" and "springs"—symbolizing the complete and irreversible desolation of the once-mighty empire, ensuring the ultimate vindication of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 51 stands as the culmination of a lengthy prophetic oracle against Babylon, specifically following [Jeremiah 50](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50 - Prophecy Against Babylon"). These chapters are unique in their extensive focus on Babylon's downfall, positioned after prophecies against other nations, emphasizing Babylon's role as God's instrument of judgment against Judah, and now, its own impending judgment for its excessive cruelty and pride. Immediately preceding verse 36, [Jeremiah 51:34-35](/jeremiah/51-34 "Jeremiah 51:34-35 - Babylon's Punishment") recounts Judah's lament over Babylon's plundering and devouring, setting the stage for God's promise of repayment. Following verse 36, the prophecy continues to detail Babylon's utter ruin, portraying it as a heap of rubble and a dwelling for wild beasts, underscoring the totality of its destruction. The consistent theme is that Babylon's fall is not a mere political shift but a divinely orchestrated act of justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy, the Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, was the dominant world power, having conquered Judah and exiled its people to Babylon. Babylon was renowned for its immense wealth, military might, and sophisticated infrastructure, particularly its extensive network of canals and reliance on the Euphrates River for defense, agriculture, and trade. Its walls were considered impregnable, and its water systems were crucial for its very existence. The concept of "vengeance" (Hebrew: *naqam*) in this ancient Near Eastern context, especially when attributed to God, is not personal spite but righteous retribution, a restoration of cosmic and moral order in response to grave injustice and covenant violation. God's judgment on Babylon was a direct response to their pride, idolatry, and, crucially, their cruel oppression of His chosen people, far exceeding their divine mandate as instruments of judgment.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 51:36 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty** over all nations, demonstrating that even the most formidable empires like Babylon are ultimately subject to the Lord's decree and judgment. Secondly, it highlights God's unwavering **Covenant Faithfulness** and **Vindication of His People**. Despite Judah's exile and suffering, God remains their advocate, promising to restore justice and punish their oppressors, a theme echoed in [Isaiah 49:25](/isaiah/49-25 "Isaiah 49:25 - God Contends for His People"). Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays **Retributive Justice**, where God repays Babylon measure for measure for its atrocities. Finally, the imagery of "drying up" water sources emphasizes the theme of **Utter Desolation** as a consequence of divine judgment, signifying the complete loss of power, resources, and life for the condemned entity, a motif also seen in [Isaiah 44:27](/isaiah/44-27 "Isaiah 44:27 - God Dries Up Rivers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Plead (Hebrew, _rîyb'_):** From H7378/H7379, this word signifies a contest, a legal dispute, or the act of contending as an advocate. When God declares, "I will plead thy cause," it portrays Him as the divine lawyer, actively engaging in a legal battle on behalf of His wronged people, Judah. It emphasizes His role as their defender and champion, ensuring that justice is served against their oppressors.
* **Vengeance (Hebrew, _nâqam'_):** From H5358/H5360, this term refers to avengement or punishment, not in the sense of human spite or personal retribution, but as righteous, divinely ordained recompense for wrongdoing. In this context, God's "vengeance" is a just response to Babylon's cruelty and pride, restoring the moral balance and demonstrating His ultimate authority as judge over all nations. It is a necessary act to uphold His holiness and faithfulness to His covenant.
* **Dry up (Hebrew, _chârab'_):** From H2717, this primitive root means to parch through drought, to desolate, destroy, or lay waste. When God declares, "I will dry up her sea," this word conveys not merely a cessation of water flow but a profound act of desolation and destruction. It implies a complete and irreversible ruin, stripping Babylon of its vital resources and rendering it barren and uninhabitable, signifying the end of its power and existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the LORD;":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and certainty of the ensuing prophecy. It is a direct decree from Yahweh, the sovereign God, indicating that the judgment against Babylon is not a human prediction but a guaranteed divine act.
* **"Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee;":** This clause reveals God's active role as Judah's champion. "Plead thy cause" (from *rîyb*) signifies God acting as an advocate in a legal sense, defending Judah's rights and exposing Babylon's injustice. "Take vengeance for thee" (from *nâqam*) denotes God's righteous retribution against Babylon for its oppression and cruelty towards His chosen people. This dual action underscores God's commitment to justice and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Israel.
* **"and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.":** This powerful imagery describes the method and totality of Babylon's destruction. The "sea" (likely referring to the Euphrates River and its extensive network of canals and marshes) and "springs" (sources of water) were Babylon's lifeblood, essential for its defense, agriculture, and prosperity. God's act of drying them up symbolizes the complete cessation of Babylon's power, resources, and very means of existence, leading to its utter collapse and desolation. The repetition of "dry" (using different Hebrew roots, *chârab* and *yâbêsh*) emphasizes the thoroughness and finality of this judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 51:36 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and vindication. The phrase "I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee" utilizes **Personification**, attributing to God the actions of a human advocate and a righteous judge. This vivid imagery makes God's intervention tangible and relatable, emphasizing His active engagement in the affairs of nations and His personal commitment to His people. The central imagery of "drying up her sea, and make her springs dry" is a powerful **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**. The "sea" and "springs" are not merely literal bodies of water but symbolize Babylon's vital resources, its economic prosperity, its defensive capabilities, and its very life force. Their desiccation is a metaphor for the complete and irreversible destruction of the empire, signifying the loss of all that sustained its power and existence. Furthermore, the two parallel clauses describing the drying up of water sources ("her sea" and "her springs") constitute a form of **Parallelism**, which serves to intensify and reinforce the message of total desolation, leaving no doubt about the comprehensive nature of God's judgment. The entire verse is framed by the **Divine Fiat** "Thus saith the LORD," which asserts the absolute authority and certainty of the prophetic declaration, leaving no room for doubt regarding its fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 51:36 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's active involvement in human history, particularly His role as the ultimate arbiter of justice. It underscores that divine patience with wickedness has limits, and that pride, idolatry, and oppression, especially against God's chosen people, will inevitably incur His righteous judgment. This verse assures the suffering exiles of Judah that their cries have been heard and that their vindication is guaranteed by a faithful and just God. It also serves as a universal warning to all nations and individuals that no power, however mighty, can defy God's moral order with impunity. The desolation promised to Babylon is a testament to God's sovereignty, demonstrating that He raises up and casts down kingdoms according to His divine purpose, always upholding His covenant and ensuring the ultimate triumph of His justice.

This theme of divine vindication and judgment against oppressors resonates throughout Scripture:
* [Isaiah 49:25](/isaiah/49-25 "Isaiah 49:25 - God Contends for His People")
* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")
* [Revelation 18:21](/revelation/18-21 "Revelation 18:21 - The Fall of Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 51:36 offers both profound comfort and a solemn warning. For those who feel oppressed, marginalized, or unjustly treated, this verse is a powerful reminder that God sees, hears, and will ultimately act. It cultivates a deep trust in divine justice, encouraging patience and perseverance in the face of suffering, knowing that the Lord is the ultimate advocate and avenger. We are called to rest in His sovereignty, refraining from taking vengeance into our own hands, and instead, to commit our cause to Him, as exhorted in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is the Lord's"). Conversely, for those in positions of power or influence, it serves as a stern admonition against pride, cruelty, and the abuse of authority. It reminds us that all earthly power is temporary and accountable to the Almighty God, who will bring judgment upon those who defy His will and harm His people. This verse compels us to examine our own hearts and societies, ensuring that our actions align with justice, compassion, and humility before God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah 51:36 challenge our human impulse to seek immediate retribution for injustice, and what does it teach us about trusting God's timing and method of justice?**
* **In what ways might the "sea" and "springs" of our own lives (e.g., sources of security, pride, or self-reliance) need to be "dried up" by God for His greater redemptive purposes?**
* **Considering God's fierce advocacy for His people, how should this truth shape our prayers and actions for those who are currently suffering oppression globally?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "drying up her sea and springs" for Babylon?**

Answer: The imagery of "drying up her sea and springs" is profoundly significant because water, particularly the Euphrates River and its intricate canal system, was absolutely vital to ancient Babylon. This vast network served multiple critical functions: it provided a natural defense barrier, supplied water for extensive agriculture (making Babylon incredibly fertile), facilitated trade and transportation, and was central to the city's very existence and prosperity. Therefore, God's promise to "dry up her sea and make her springs dry" is a powerful metaphor for the complete and irreversible desolation of Babylon. It signifies the removal of its lifeblood, its sources of power, wealth, and sustenance, leading to its utter collapse and ruin. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic pronouncements of desolation, such as in [Isaiah 44:27](/isaiah/44-27 "Isaiah 44:27 - God Dries Up Rivers"), where God declares He will dry up the deep. It underscores that Babylon's destruction would be total, leaving it barren and uninhabitable, a stark testament to God's judgment against its pride and oppression.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 51:36, with its themes of divine advocacy, righteous vengeance, and the desolation of an oppressive power, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Christ is the supreme advocate, not merely for a nation but for all who believe, interceding for us before the Father as our [righteous advocate](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate"). His life, death, and resurrection represent God's ultimate "pleading of our cause" against the tyranny of sin and death, securing our redemption and vindication. While God takes "vengeance" in the Old Testament sense as righteous retribution, in Christ, this divine justice is uniquely satisfied through the cross, where the penalty for humanity's sin was fully paid. Jesus himself is also the one who will execute righteous judgment at His second coming, when He will return to [judge the living and the dead](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Will Judge"), bringing complete vindication to His persecuted people and utterly defeating all oppressive powers, both spiritual and earthly. The "drying up" of Babylon's life sources foreshadows the ultimate dismantling of all systems of evil and rebellion against God's kingdom. Through Christ's victory, the old order of sin, death, and human oppression is being "dried up," making way for the new creation where [righteousness dwells](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth") and there will be [no more tears or pain](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears"). Thus, Christ is both the advocate who pleads our cause and the righteous judge who brings ultimate, redemptive judgment.

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

Romans 12:19

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Psalms 140:12

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, [and] the right of the poor.

Jeremiah 50:38

A drought [is] upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it [is] the land of graven images, and they are mad upon [their] idols.

Isaiah 44:27

That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

Deuteronomy 32:35

To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Deuteronomy 32:43

Rejoice, O ye nations, [with] his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, [and] to his people.

Hebrews 10:30

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance [belongeth] unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.