Jeremiah 51:42

KJV

The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

The sea {H3220} is come up {H5927} upon Babylon {H894}: she is covered {H3680} with the multitude {H1995} of the waves {H1530} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sea has flooded Bavel, overwhelmed her with its raging waves.

Berean Standard Bible

The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered in turbulent waves.

American Standard Version

The sea is come up upon Babylon; she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 51:42 vividly describes the impending, overwhelming destruction of Babylon, likening the invading forces to a vast, surging sea that completely engulfs the mighty empire. This prophetic declaration serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereign judgment against a nation characterized by its pride, idolatry, and brutal oppression of His people, assuring the exiled Israelites of divine vindication and the certain fulfillment of God's word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 51:42 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, contrasting sharply with the preceding prophecies of judgment against Judah and the surrounding nations. The detailed pronouncements against Babylon, the dominant world power and oppressor of Judah, serve as a divine assurance to the exiled Israelites that their captor, too, would face ultimate accountability. The imagery in this verse, of an overwhelming flood, echoes similar themes of destruction found throughout these chapters, emphasizing the totality and inescapability of Babylon's downfall. It stands as a counterpoint to the earlier laments over Jerusalem's destruction, offering a future hope of vindication and restoration for God's covenant people, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 30](/jeremiah/30 "Jeremiah 30 - Restoration of Israel and Judah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Jeremiah's prophecy, Babylon was at the zenith of its power, having conquered Jerusalem and exiled its inhabitants. Under Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon was renowned for its immense wealth, formidable military, and seemingly impregnable defenses, including massive walls and the strategic Euphrates River flowing through its heart. The city's perceived invincibility made Jeremiah's prophecy of its utter destruction seem audacious and improbable to many. However, history records the precise fulfillment of this prophecy in 539 BC when Cyrus the Great, leading the Medo-Persian army, ingeniously diverted the Euphrates River and entered the city, bringing about Babylon's swift and unexpected fall. The "sea" imagery, therefore, is particularly potent given Babylon's inland location, highlighting the unnatural and overwhelming nature of the divine judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** against nations that oppose God and oppress His people. Babylon's fall is presented not merely as a geopolitical event but as God's righteous verdict against its idolatry, pride, and cruelty. Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty over Nations and History**. Despite Babylon's perceived might, God demonstrates His absolute control, raising up and casting down empires according to His divine plan, as also articulated in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons"). Finally, the verse powerfully affirms the **Certainty of Prophetic Fulfillment**. Jeremiah's word, though initially met with skepticism, proved to be absolutely true, reinforcing the reliability of God's promises and warnings. This certainty provides hope and comfort to the exiled community, assuring them that God would ultimately deliver on His promise of restoration, a theme prevalent in [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Plans to Prosper You").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sea (Hebrew, _yâm'_):** From an unused root meaning "to roar," this word refers to a large body of water, specifically a sea, as breaking in noisy surf. In this context, _yâm_ is used metaphorically. Babylon was an inland city, so the "sea" does not refer to a literal ocean. Instead, it powerfully symbolizes a vast, tumultuous, and overwhelming force, specifically the immense invading armies (Medes and Persians) that would metaphorically "flood" over the city, bringing chaos and destruction.
* **multitude (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to roar" or "to make a noise," _hâmôwn_ denotes a noise, tumult, or crowd. It can also signify abundance or wealth. Here, it refers to the vast, noisy, and numerous throngs of the invading army. The "multitude of the waves" emphasizes the sheer number and irresistible force of the attackers, like countless, relentless waves crashing against a shore, overwhelming everything in their path.
* **covered (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** This primitive root properly means "to plump" or "fill up hollows," and by implication, "to cover" (for clothing or secrecy) or "to overwhelm." In Jeremiah 51:42, _kâçâh_ vividly portrays the complete submersion and engulfment of Babylon. It suggests that the city will not just be attacked or defeated, but utterly inundated and concealed by the invading force, signifying its total and irreversible ruin and disappearance from its former glory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sea is come up upon Babylon:"** This clause introduces the central metaphor of the verse. "The sea" represents the vast, unstoppable armies of the Medes and Persians. "Is come up" (from _ʻâlâh_, to ascend or mount) signifies their overwhelming advance and invasion. The image is one of an inland city being inexplicably engulfed by a rising tide, conveying the unexpected and irresistible nature of the attack against a seemingly impregnable power.
* **"she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof."** This second clause amplifies the imagery of the first, emphasizing the totality of Babylon's destruction. "She" personifies Babylon, highlighting its vulnerability. "Covered" (from _kâçâh_) denotes complete submersion and concealment. "The multitude of the waves thereof" refers to the countless soldiers and the relentless, successive assaults that would utterly overwhelm and submerge the city, leaving no part of it untouched by the devastation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 51:42 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of Babylon's destruction. The primary device employed is **Metaphor**, where the invading armies are likened to a "sea" and "waves." This is particularly striking because Babylon was an inland city, making the image of a sea engulfing it a powerful symbol of an unnatural and overwhelming catastrophe. The use of "sea" (Hebrew _yam_) often carries connotations of chaos and destructive power in biblical literature. Furthermore, **Personification** is evident in the phrase "she is covered," attributing a feminine pronoun to the city of Babylon, making its vulnerability and impending fate more poignant. The phrase "multitude of the waves" also employs **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the scale of the invading force to emphasize its irresistible and all-encompassing nature. Together, these devices create a sense of unavoidable, catastrophic inundation, underscoring the divine judgment against Babylon.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 51:42 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers. It reveals that no nation, however mighty or seemingly secure, can escape divine accountability for its pride, idolatry, and oppression. For the exiled Israelites, this prophecy was a beacon of hope, assuring them that their suffering under Babylon's hand was not overlooked by God, and that their oppressor would face a reckoning. The "sea" of judgment, though terrifying, was an instrument of God's righteous wrath, demonstrating that He is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires to fulfill His purposes and vindicate His people. This verse reinforces the biblical truth that God's word is reliable and will inevitably come to pass, providing comfort and a call to trust in His unfailing promises.

* [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 - Symbolic Fall of Babylon")
* [Daniel 5:30-31](/daniel/5-30 "Daniel 5:30-31 - Belshazzar's Fall and Darius's Reign")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 51:42, though a prophecy of ancient judgment, holds profound contemporary relevance. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's justice is not bound by human timelines or perceived invincibility. In a world where powerful systems, institutions, or even individuals may seem to operate with impunity, this verse reassures us that divine accountability is certain. It challenges us to examine our own lives and societies for any patterns of pride, oppression, or disregard for God's righteousness. Furthermore, it calls us to place our ultimate trust not in the fleeting strength of earthly powers, but in the unchanging, sovereign God who declares the end from the beginning. For those who feel oppressed or overwhelmed by circumstances, this prophecy offers immense comfort, reminding us that God sees, God hears, and God will ultimately act to set things right, bringing justice and vindication to His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of an overwhelming "sea" impact your understanding of God's judgment against sin and injustice?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be tempted to exhibit the kind of pride or self-reliance that led to Babylon's downfall?**
* **How does the historical fulfillment of this prophecy strengthen your trust in the reliability and truthfulness of God's Word today?**

### FAQ
**Why is Babylon described as being overcome by a "sea" when it was an inland city?**

Answer: The description of Babylon being overcome by a "sea" is a powerful **metaphor**, not a literal geographical statement. Babylon was indeed an inland city, situated on the Euphrates River. The "sea" and its "multitude of waves" symbolize the vast, overwhelming, and unstoppable armies of invaders, primarily the Medes and Persians, that would metaphorically "flood" over the city. This imagery evokes a sense of chaos, inundation, and complete submersion, signifying Babylon's utter and irreversible ruin. It emphasizes the sheer scale and irresistible force of the divine judgment, making the destruction seem unnatural and inescapable, much like an inland city being swallowed by an ocean. This prophetic language underscores the totality of its demise, as also seen in the symbolic fall of "Babylon" in [Revelation 18:21](/revelation/18-21 "Revelation 18:21 - The Millstone and the Fall of Babylon").

**What was the historical fulfillment of this prophecy?**

Answer: This prophecy found its historical fulfillment in 539 BC when Babylon was conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire under the leadership of Cyrus the Great. The historical accounts describe how Cyrus's army ingeniously diverted the Euphrates River, which flowed under Babylon's massive walls, allowing his forces to enter the city through the dried-up riverbed. The city, previously considered impregnable, fell swiftly and unexpectedly, precisely as Jeremiah had foretold. This event marked the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and ushered in the Persian era, demonstrating God's sovereign control over world empires and the precise fulfillment of His prophetic word, as also recounted in [Daniel 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - The Writing on the Wall and Babylon's Fall").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 51:42, with its vivid portrayal of Babylon's overwhelming destruction, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's kingdom over all opposing powers, culminating in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as the "sea" of judgment engulfed ancient Babylon, Christ, through His crucifixion and resurrection, decisively conquered the spiritual "Babylon"—the kingdom of darkness, sin, and death that holds humanity captive. The overwhelming "multitude of waves" of divine wrath that fell upon Babylon foreshadows the full measure of God's judgment against sin, which Christ willingly bore on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's transgressions (cf. [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Through His victory, Christ disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Therefore, the "sea" of judgment that once overwhelmed Babylon now passes over those who are "in Christ," for He has covered their sins. The ultimate "Babylon" of this world, representing all systems of rebellion against God, will face its final and complete destruction at Christ's second coming, as depicted in [Revelation 19](/revelation/19 "Revelation 19 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Rider on the White Horse"), where He returns as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, ensuring that His people will inherit an eternal kingdom where no oppressive power can ever rise again.

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

Isaiah 8:7

Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

Isaiah 8:8

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

Daniel 9:26

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Ezekiel 27:26

¶ Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.

Ezekiel 27:34

In the time [when] thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.

Psalms 65:7

Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Psalms 18:4

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.