Jeremiah 51:43

Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth [any] son of man pass thereby.

Her cities {H5892} are a desolation {H8047}, a dry {H6723} land {H776}, and a wilderness {H6160}, a land {H776} wherein no man {H376} dwelleth {H3427}, neither doth any son {H1121} of man {H120} pass {H5674} thereby {H2004}.

Her cities have become desolate - parched, arid land, a land where no one lives; nobody even passes through.

Her cities have become a desolation, a dry and arid land, a land where no one lives, where no son of man passes through.

Her cities are become a desolation, a dry land, and a desert, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby.

Context of Jeremiah 51:43

Jeremiah 51:43 is part of a lengthy prophetic oracle against Babylon, found in chapters 50 and 51 of the book of Jeremiah. These chapters detail God's impending judgment upon Babylon, the mighty empire that had conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem, carrying its people into exile. This specific verse paints a vivid picture of the absolute devastation that would befall Babylon's once-glorious cities. The prophecy highlights God's justice against a nation known for its immense pride, idolatry, and brutal oppression of other peoples, including Israel. The pronouncements in Jeremiah serve as a divine reassurance to the exiled Israelites that their oppressor would ultimately face the consequences of their actions, and God would restore His people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Desolation: The verse powerfully describes the completeness of Babylon's destruction. Terms like "desolation," "dry land," and "wilderness" emphasize an utter abandonment and lack of life. This is not merely a defeat but a catastrophic end, leaving no trace of human habitation or activity.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jeremiah's words were a stark warning that ultimately came to pass. The historical fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC, though not an immediate total desolation in the sense of no one passing through, marked the beginning of its decline into ruin. Over centuries, the city indeed became a desolate wasteland, fulfilling this vivid prophecy. This underscores the reliability of God's prophetic word.
  • Consequences of Pride and Oppression: Babylon's downfall serves as a powerful testament to the principle that nations, like individuals, are accountable to God. Their pride (as seen in King Nebuchadnezzar's boasting in Daniel 4:30) and their cruelty towards God's people brought about their ruin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse cumulatively create a profound sense of emptiness and finality. "Desolation" (חָרְבָּה, ḥorbāh) speaks of a ruined, waste place. "Dry land" (צִיָּה, ṣiyyāh) and "wilderness" (מִדְבָּר, midbār) evoke images of barrenness, thirst, and a lack of life-sustaining elements. The phrase "no man dwelleth, neither doth [any] son of man pass thereby" further amplifies this imagery, suggesting a complete absence of human presence, trade, or travel. This is not merely a temporary abandonment but a long-term, profound emptiness, highlighting the permanence of the judgment.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 51:43 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God's Sovereignty Over History: This prophecy reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and that He holds all powers accountable. No empire, no matter how mighty, can stand against His ultimate will.
  • Warning Against Pride and Injustice: The fate of Babylon serves as a stark warning against national or individual pride, idolatry, and the oppression of others. God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is certain.
  • Assurance for the Afflicted: For those facing oppression or hardship, this verse offers comfort that God sees injustice and will ultimately bring about justice and deliverance for His people. Just as He acted for Israel against Babylon, He will act for His children. This echoes the sentiment found in Romans 12:19 regarding God's ultimate vengeance.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 13:20

    It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

  • Jeremiah 2:6

    Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

  • Jeremiah 51:29

    And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

  • Jeremiah 50:39

    Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell [there], and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.

  • Jeremiah 50:40

    As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD; [so] shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

  • Jeremiah 50:12

    Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations [shall be] a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.

  • Ezekiel 29:10

    Behold, therefore I [am] against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste [and] desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back