Jeremiah 51:4

KJV

Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and [they that are] thrust through in her streets.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus the slain {H2491} shall fall {H5307} in the land {H776} of the Chaldeans {H3778}, and they that are thrust through {H1856} in her streets {H2351}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In the land of the Kasdim the slain will fall, those thrust through [by the sword] in her streets.

Berean Standard Bible

And they will fall slain in the land of the Chaldeans, and pierced through in her streets.

American Standard Version

And they shall fall down slain in the land of the Chaldeans, and thrust through in her streets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 51:4 is a powerful prophetic declaration foretelling the comprehensive and devastating judgment awaiting Babylon, the oppressive empire that had brought Judah into captivity. This verse vividly depicts widespread carnage and destruction, emphasizing that death will not be confined to battlefields but will permeate every corner of the land of the Chaldeans, even its bustling streets. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and the certain fulfillment of His word against those who proudly oppose His purposes and oppress His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 51:4 is situated within a lengthy and detailed prophetic oracle against Babylon, spanning chapters 50 and 51 of the book of Jeremiah. These chapters serve as a divine counter-narrative to Babylon's perceived invincibility, coming after Jeremiah's sustained warnings to Judah about their impending exile. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of its inhabitants, these prophecies against Babylon offer a profound message of hope and assurance to the exiled Israelites. They articulate God's sovereign control over nations, promising that the very empire God used as an instrument of judgment against Judah would, in turn, face its own, even more severe, divine retribution. The immediate verses preceding [Jeremiah 51:4](/jeremiah/51-4 "Jeremiah 51:4 - The Slain in Babylon") describe the Lord's determination to punish Babylon for its pride and violence against Israel ([Jeremiah 50:29-32](/jeremiah/50-29 "Jeremiah 50:29-32 - God's Judgment on Babylon's Pride")). The verses following continue to detail the extent of Babylon's downfall, including the drying up of its waters and the shattering of its idols ([Jeremiah 51:6-8](/jeremiah/51-6 "Jeremiah 51:6-8 - Fleeing Babylon's Destruction")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy, Babylon, under the Neo-Babylonian Empire, was the dominant superpower in the ancient Near East, having conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. The "Chaldeans" were the ruling ethnic group of this empire, renowned for their military might, architectural achievements, and astrological practices. Babylon was a symbol of human power, pride, and idolatry, with its massive walls and grand structures like the Ishtar Gate. The prophecy of its fall would have seemed utterly improbable from a human perspective, given its formidable defenses and vast resources. However, the historical context also includes the rising power of the Medes and Persians, who would eventually fulfill these prophecies. The imagery of "slain" and "thrust through" reflects the brutal realities of ancient warfare, where conquest often involved widespread slaughter, not just of combatants but also of civilians, especially in the streets and homes of a besieged city.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 51:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Retribution and Justice**. Babylon, having acted with excessive cruelty and pride beyond God's intended use as a disciplinary tool for Judah, now faces the full weight of divine wrath ([Jeremiah 50:11](/jeremiah/50-11 "Jeremiah 50:11 - Babylon's Plunder and Joy over Israel's Inheritance")). Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Sovereignty over Nations**. It demonstrates that no earthly power, no matter how great or seemingly invincible, is beyond the reach of God's judgment. He raises up and casts down empires according to His righteous will ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons, Removes and Sets Up Kings")). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment and the Reliability of God's Word**. The detailed nature of the prophecy, including the specific imagery of death in the streets, assures both the original audience and subsequent generations that God's declarations are certain to come to pass, providing comfort and hope to the oppressed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slain (Hebrew, _châlâl'_):** From H2491, this term refers to those who are "pierced (especially to death)" or "polluted." It often denotes individuals killed in battle or by violence, emphasizing a state of being fatally wounded or desecrated. In this context, it highlights the widespread death that will befall Babylon, not merely as casualties of war but as those who have met a violent, definitive end, often left unburied or profaned.
* **Fall (Hebrew, _nâphal'_):** From H5307, this primitive root signifies "to fall" in a vast array of applications, including literal falling, ceasing, dying, or being overthrown. Here, it vividly portrays the collapse and demise of Babylon's inhabitants, indicating a sudden, inescapable, and widespread descent into death. It underscores the complete cessation of life and power for those affected.
* **Thrust through (Hebrew, _dâqar'_):** From H1856, this root means "to stab," "pierce," or "wound." It specifically describes a violent penetration, typically by a weapon like a sword or spear. The use of this term alongside "slain" intensifies the imagery of brutal, agonizing deaths, suggesting that many will suffer direct, fatal wounds in the streets, emphasizing the personal and gruesome nature of the destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans":** This clause pronounces a divine decree of widespread death upon the inhabitants of Babylonia. "The slain" (Hebrew _chalalim_) refers to those killed, often in battle or by violence, indicating a large-scale loss of life. The verb "shall fall" (Hebrew _yippelu_) emphasizes the inevitability and sheer number of casualties, suggesting bodies collapsing en masse across the entire territory of Babylon. This signifies a comprehensive judgment that will engulf the nation, not sparing its populace.
* **"and [they that are] thrust through in her streets":** This second clause amplifies and specifies the nature and location of the carnage. "Thrust through" (Hebrew _medukkarim_) denotes individuals pierced or stabbed, typically by a weapon, highlighting the violent and personal nature of the deaths. The mention of "her streets" (Hebrew _chûwtsoteha_) indicates that the violence will not be confined to battlefields or the periphery but will penetrate the very heart of Babylonian cities, spilling into public spaces and thoroughfares. This emphasizes the totality of the destruction and the lack of refuge for its inhabitants.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 51:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending doom. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid and gruesome picture of "the slain" and "thrust through" bodies falling in the "land of the Chaldeans" and "her streets." This graphic depiction appeals directly to the reader's senses, making the horror of Babylon's destruction palpable. The use of **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, where the second clause ("and [they that are] thrust through in her streets") echoes and intensifies the first ("Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans"). This reinforces the message of pervasive death and destruction, ensuring its impact. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the scale of the catastrophe; while not every single person would literally be slain in the streets, the language conveys an overwhelming and inescapable judgment that will affect the entire nation. The specificity of "streets" also serves as **Synecdoche**, where a part (the streets) represents the whole (the entire urban and national landscape), underscoring that no place will be safe from the divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 51:4 stands as a stark theological statement on God's unwavering commitment to justice and His absolute sovereignty over all nations. It proclaims that even the mightiest empires, when they become instruments of oppression and pride, will ultimately face divine reckoning. This prophecy served as both a warning to Babylon and a profound source of comfort and vindication for the exiled Israelites, assuring them that their suffering was seen by God and that their oppressors would not go unpunished. It underscores the biblical principle that God holds nations accountable for their actions, particularly their treatment of His people and their defiance of His moral order. The fall of Babylon, as depicted here, is a powerful historical example of God's righteous judgment being poured out upon a proud and wicked kingdom.

* [Psalm 9:16](/psalms/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord is known by the judgment He executes")
* [Isaiah 13:19-22](/isaiah/13-19 "Isaiah 13:19-22 - Prophecy of Babylon's Desolation")
* [Revelation 18:21](/revelation/18-21 "Revelation 18:21 - The Great Millstone and Babylon's Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 51:4, while describing a historical judgment, offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is ultimately just and sovereign over all human affairs, including the rise and fall of nations. In a world often marked by injustice, oppression, and seemingly unchecked power, this verse provides a beacon of hope, assuring us that no tyranny is beyond God's reach. It calls us to trust in His perfect timing and His righteous character, even when circumstances seem bleak. For those who feel oppressed or witness great evil, it offers comfort that God sees and will act. For those in positions of power, it serves as a solemn warning against pride, cruelty, and the abuse of authority, reminding us that accountability before God is inescapable. Ultimately, it encourages us to align ourselves with God's justice, to pray for righteousness, and to live with a confident expectation that His kingdom will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment against Babylon encourage you in the face of injustice in the world today?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, unknowingly embody the pride or oppressive tendencies that God judged in Babylon?**
* **How does this verse deepen your understanding of God's sovereignty over history and nations?**

### FAQ
**What does "Chaldeans" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In [Jeremiah 51:4](/jeremiah/51-4 "Jeremiah 51:4 - The Slain in Babylon"), "Chaldeans" refers to the inhabitants of Babylonia, specifically the dominant ethnic group of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This empire was the preeminent power in the ancient Near East during the time of Jeremiah, responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah. The term is often used interchangeably with "Babylon" or "Babylonians" in the prophetic books to denote the oppressive empire that God was judging. The prophecies against the Chaldeans, such as those found in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon"), highlight God's sovereign control over nations and His commitment to bringing justice to His people.

**Why is God's judgment against Babylon so severe?**

Answer: God's judgment against Babylon is depicted as severe for several interconnected reasons. Firstly, Babylon acted with excessive cruelty and pride in its conquest, going beyond God's intended purpose for using them as an instrument of discipline against Judah. They plundered God's temple and boasted against the Lord ([Jeremiah 50:28](/jeremiah/50-28 "Jeremiah 50:28 - God's Vengeance for His Temple")). Secondly, Babylon was a symbol of idolatry and defiance against God, leading many nations astray with its false gods and spiritual wickedness ([Jeremiah 51:7](/jeremiah/51-7 "Jeremiah 51:7 - Babylon, a Golden Cup in the Lord's Hand")). Thirdly, the severity of the judgment underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice for His oppressed people, demonstrating that He hears their cries and will ultimately avenge them ([Jeremiah 50:33-34](/jeremiah/50-33 "Jeremiah 50:33-34 - The Redemption of Israel and Judah")). The comprehensive destruction described in [Jeremiah 51:4](/jeremiah/51-4 "Jeremiah 51:4 - The Slain in Babylon") and throughout [chapters 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon") serves as a powerful testament to God's righteous character and His absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 51:4 directly prophesies the historical fall of literal Babylon, its theological undercurrents find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader biblical narrative of God's ultimate victory over all opposing powers. Babylon, in its pride, oppression, and idolatry, becomes a prototype for all earthly systems that defy God and persecute His people. The judgment pronounced here foreshadows the definitive triumph of Christ over the forces of sin, death, and spiritual Babylon, as depicted in the New Testament. Just as the slain fell in Babylon's streets, Christ's sacrifice on the cross became the ultimate act of God's judgment against sin, where the "Lamb of God" was "thrust through" for our transgressions ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ Wounded for Our Transgressions")). His resurrection then signified the decisive overthrow of spiritual powers that held humanity captive, echoing the fall of Babylon's dominion. Furthermore, the ultimate and complete destruction of spiritual Babylon, described vividly in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon the Great"), is accomplished through the righteous judgment of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. His return will bring about the final vindication of God's people and the complete eradication of all evil, fulfilling the promise that every oppressive system will ultimately fall before the reign of the resurrected Christ ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Return as Victorious King")).

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 49:26

Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 13:15

Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined [unto them] shall fall by the sword.

Jeremiah 50:30

Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 50:37

A sword [is] upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that [are] in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword [is] upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.

Isaiah 14:19

But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, [and as] the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.