Jeremiah 51:38

KJV

They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall roar {H7580} together {H3162} like lions {H3715}: they shall yell {H5286} as lions {H738}' whelps {H1484}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Together they roar like young lions, growl like lion cubs.

Berean Standard Bible

They will roar together like young lions; they will growl like lion cubs.

American Standard Version

They shall roar together like young lions; they shall growl as lions’ whelps.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 51:38 vividly prophesies the catastrophic downfall of Babylon, depicting its once formidable power reduced to pathetic weakness. The verse uses the striking imagery of lions, initially symbols of strength and predatory might, whose triumphant roars transform into desperate yells, like those of vulnerable whelps. This oracle serves as a powerful declaration of God's unwavering judgment against the proud and oppressive empire that had been His instrument of discipline against Judah, now facing its own righteous retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 51:38 is situated within a lengthy prophetic oracle against Babylon, spanning chapters 50 and 51 of the book of Jeremiah. These chapters form a distinct unit, often referred to as the "Burden against Babylon," following Jeremiah's prophecies concerning Judah and other nations. While Babylon had served as God's instrument to punish Judah's sin, these chapters unequivocally declare that Babylon itself will face divine judgment for its excessive cruelty, pride, and idolatry. The verses immediately preceding 51:38 describe the desolation that will befall Babylon, including the drying up of its "sea" (likely referring to the vast network of canals from the Euphrates River, crucial for its defense and prosperity), turning its fertile land into a wilderness. The imagery of roaring and yelling in verse 38 anticipates the sounds of despair and lament that will replace the sounds of revelry and triumph within the doomed city. The prophecy emphasizes God's sovereign control over history, raising up and casting down nations according to His righteous will, as seen in the broader prophetic narrative of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah - The Weeping Prophet").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Jeremiah's prophecy, Babylon was the dominant world power, having conquered the Neo-Assyrian Empire and subsequently overthrown Judah, destroying Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC and carrying its inhabitants into exile. The city of Babylon itself was renowned for its immense fortifications, including massive walls, and its strategic location on the Euphrates, making it seem impregnable. Lions were potent symbols of power, royalty, and ferocity in the ancient Near East, frequently depicted in Babylonian art and architecture, such as the famous Ishtar Gate. Kings often associated themselves with the strength and predatory nature of lions. The imagery in Jeremiah 51:38, therefore, would have been immediately recognizable to its original audience, evoking Babylon's self-perception as a mighty, unconquerable predator. The prophecy's reversal of this imagery underscores the profound humiliation and complete subjugation that Babylon would experience at the hands of the Medes and Persians, as foretold by prophets like [Isaiah](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Oracle Against Babylon") and [Daniel](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - The Writing on the Wall").
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme conveyed in Jeremiah 51:38, within its broader context, is **Divine Judgment and Retribution**. Despite Babylon's immense power and its role as God's temporary instrument, it is not exempt from divine accountability for its arrogance, idolatry, and excessive cruelty, particularly against God's people ([Jeremiah 50:11](/jeremiah/50-11 "Jeremiah 50:11 - Babylon's Joy Over Judah's Destruction")). This highlights God's unwavering justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations. Another crucial theme is **The Fall of a Mighty Empire**. The prophecy vividly portrays the complete downfall of a seemingly invincible power. The transformation of the "roar" of formidable lions into the "yell" of vulnerable "lions' whelps" powerfully illustrates the reduction of Babylon from a terrifying predator to a helpless victim. This imagery signifies a complete **Reversal of Fortune**, where the sounds of triumph and terror once inflicted by Babylon upon its enemies will become sounds of its own despair and lament. This serves as a stark reminder that all earthly powers are transient and ultimately subject to the will of the Almighty God, a truth echoed throughout prophetic literature, such as in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and God's Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **roar (Hebrew, _shâʼag'_):** From H7580, this primitive root signifies a deep, powerful sound, typically associated with the ferocity and triumph of a lion. It conveys an intimidating, authoritative sound, often used in scripture to describe God's own voice of judgment or the terrifying sound of a lion's hunt. In this context, it initially reflects Babylon's formidable and terrifying presence, its confident and aggressive dominion over other nations.
* **yell (Hebrew, _nâʻar'_):** From H5286, this primitive root means "to growl" or "yell." While "roar" implies strength and dominance, "yell" here suggests a less controlled, more desperate, or even pathetic sound. The shift from the powerful "roar" to the less dignified "yell" underscores the diminishing power and impending despair of Babylon's inhabitants as their empire collapses.
* **whelps (Hebrew, _gôwr'_):** From H1484, this word refers to a cub, specifically a young lion still abiding in the lair. Unlike mature lions, whelps are vulnerable, dependent, and lack the full predatory power and intimidating presence of their parents. Their "yell" would be a cry of distress or weakness, not a sound of strength. This imagery powerfully conveys Babylon's reduction from a mighty, adult lion to a helpless, whimpering cub, signaling its utter defeat and vulnerability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall roar together like lions:"** This clause initially invokes the familiar image of Babylon's strength and predatory nature. The "they" refers to the Babylonians, whose collective sound of revelry, confidence, or perhaps even their initial, futile resistance to the invading forces, is likened to the powerful, intimidating roar of a pride of lions. This roar, in a different context, might signify their past triumphs or their perceived invincibility, a sound that once struck terror into the hearts of their enemies.
* **"they shall yell as lions' whelps."** This second clause introduces a stark and devastating contrast. The powerful, unified "roar" transforms into a desperate, less formidable "yell." Crucially, the comparison shifts from mature, dominant "lions" to vulnerable "lions' whelps" (cubs). This signifies a profound degradation of Babylon's status and power. The "yell" of whelps is not a sound of strength or triumph, but one of distress, fear, or lament. This imagery powerfully conveys Babylon's utter humiliation, its once-mighty empire reduced to a state of pathetic weakness and despair in the face of God's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 51:38 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of Babylon's impending doom. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in the phrases "like lions" and "as lions' whelps." These comparisons effectively draw parallels between the Babylonians' sounds and the sounds of felines, immediately conjuring vivid images for the audience. A powerful **Juxtaposition** or **Contrast** is established between the two parts of the verse: the "roar" of mature "lions" versus the "yell" of "lions' whelps." This stark contrast highlights the dramatic reversal of Babylon's fortune, from a formidable, predatory empire to a helpless, vulnerable entity. This shift also embodies **Irony**, as the very symbol of strength and dominion (the lion) is used to illustrate Babylon's ultimate weakness and downfall. The sounds themselves, "roar" and "yell," also suggest a degree of **Onomatopoeia**, where the words mimic the sounds they describe, adding to the verse's evocative power. Finally, the **Symbolism** of the lion, initially representing Babylon's power and later its pathetic state as a "whelp," underscores the complete and humiliating nature of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 51:38 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of divine sovereignty and justice, particularly as it applies to nations. It serves as a stark reminder that no earthly power, however mighty or seemingly invincible, operates outside the purview of God's ultimate authority. Babylon, which God had used as an instrument of discipline against Judah, is now held accountable for its own pride, idolatry, and excessive cruelty. This passage underscores that God's justice is not arbitrary but is meted out according to His righteous character, bringing down the proud and exalting the humble. It teaches that true security and lasting power reside not in human empires or military might, but in the Lord God, who is the ultimate arbiter of history and the one who vindicates His people. The fall of Babylon, therefore, is a powerful demonstration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His commitment to establishing justice on the earth.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before a Fall")
* [Daniel 7:4](/daniel/7-4 "Daniel 7:4 - Babylon as a Lion in Prophecy")
* [Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - The Fall of Babylon the Great")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 51:38 offers timeless lessons for all generations, urging us to consider where we place our trust and what truly constitutes lasting power. In a world often captivated by the allure of strength, wealth, and worldly influence, this verse serves as a sobering reminder that all human empires and achievements are ultimately transient and subject to the sovereign will of God. It calls us to humility, recognizing that pride and oppression inevitably lead to downfall, a principle applicable to individuals, communities, and nations alike. For believers, this passage reinforces faith in God's ultimate control over history and His unwavering commitment to justice. It encourages us to fix our hope not on the shifting sands of human power, but on the unshakeable kingdom of God. Furthermore, it challenges us to examine our own lives: are we roaring with pride and self-sufficiency, or are we humbly submitting to God's will, recognizing our dependence on Him?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What modern "Babylons" or seemingly invincible powers do we tend to place our trust in, and how does this verse challenge that trust?**
* **How does the imagery of "lions" turning into "lions' whelps" speak to the deceptive nature of worldly strength without God?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, exhibit the "roar" of pride that God promises to bring low?**
* **How does understanding God's judgment on Babylon strengthen your faith in His ultimate justice and sovereignty over all things?**

### FAQ
**Who are "they" in Jeremiah 51:38, and what does the lion imagery signify?**

Answer: The "they" in Jeremiah 51:38 refers to the inhabitants of Babylon. The lion imagery is deeply symbolic. Initially, the "roaring like lions" represents Babylon's formidable power, its aggressive and predatory nature as a dominant empire that instilled fear in its enemies. Lions were common symbols of strength, royalty, and ferocity in the ancient Near East, often associated with kings and empires. However, the prophecy then shifts to "yelling as lions' whelps," which signifies a dramatic reversal. "Whelps" (cubs) are vulnerable and weak, dependent on their parents. This transformation from mighty lions to pathetic whelps illustrates Babylon's complete humiliation and reduction to a state of helplessness and despair in the face of God's judgment, indicating that their once-terrifying sounds would become cries of distress.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 51:38 directly prophesies the historical judgment upon ancient Babylon, its theological trajectory finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate triumph of God's eternal kingdom over all earthly powers and the final subjugation of sin and evil. Babylon, as a symbol of human rebellion, pride, and oppressive worldly systems, foreshadows the "Babylon the Great" described in [Revelation 17-18](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Prostitute and the Beast"), which represents the culmination of all that opposes God. Just as the roar of earthly Babylon turned into the desperate yell of whelps, so too will all systems of human pride and opposition to God's reign ultimately crumble before the sovereign authority of Christ. The true "Lion" is not an earthly empire, but the [Lion of the tribe of Judah](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah"), Jesus Christ, whose "roar" is one of triumph and righteous judgment, not of despair. His kingdom, unlike Babylon's, is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")) and will never be destroyed ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Everlasting Kingdom")). The judgment pronounced upon Babylon in Jeremiah ultimately points to Christ's decisive victory over all principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")) and the establishment of His eternal reign, where every enemy will be put under His feet ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ Must Reign")). Thus, the fall of Babylon serves as a powerful Old Testament witness to the certainty of Christ's final, glorious triumph over all forms of evil and oppression.

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

Jeremiah 2:15

The young lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.

Psalms 58:6

¶ Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

Nahum 2:11

¶ Where [is] the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, [even] the old lion, walked, [and] the lion's whelp, and none made [them] afraid?

Nahum 2:13

Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

Isaiah 35:9

No lion shall be there, nor [any] ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]:

Judges 16:20

And she said, The Philistines [be] upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

Psalms 34:10

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].