Jeremiah 51:44

And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.

And I will punish {H6485} Bel {H1078} in Babylon {H894}, and I will bring forth {H3318} out of his mouth {H6310} that which he hath swallowed up {H1105}: and the nations {H1471} shall not flow together {H5102} any more unto him: yea, the wall {H2346} of Babylon {H894} shall fall {H5307}.

"I will punish Bel in Bavel and make him disgorge what he swallowed. The nations will no longer flow to him. Bavel's wall will fall.

I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall.

And I will execute judgment upon Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up; and the nations shall not flow any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.

Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 51:44

Jeremiah 51 is a powerful prophetic oracle against Babylon, delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, detailing God's impending judgment on the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem and taken Judah captive. This chapter emphasizes the Lord's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. Verse 44 specifically focuses on the spiritual and political dismantling of Babylon, targeting its chief deity and its renowned fortifications, signifying a complete and utter overthrow.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment on Idolatry: The primary target, "Bel," was the chief deity of Babylon, often associated with Marduk, the patron god of the city. God's declaration to "punish Bel" signifies His absolute superiority over all false gods and His intention to dismantle the spiritual foundations of Babylon's power. This theme underscores that no human power or idol can stand against the true God, as also prophesied in Jeremiah 50:2.
  • Restitution and Reversal: The phrase "I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up" uses vivid imagery to describe the reversal of Babylon's conquests and plunder. God promises to restore what Babylon had unjustly taken—whether wealth, people, or nations—illustrating His justice and His commitment to His covenant people whom Babylon had oppressed.
  • End of Babylon's Dominance: "and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him" indicates the cessation of Babylon's influence and its role as a powerful, attractive center for tribute, trade, or alliances. Its glory and magnetic pull would vanish, leaving it isolated and powerless.
  • Certainty of Babylon's Fall: "yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall" is a direct and emphatic prediction of the city's physical and military collapse. Babylon was renowned for its formidable walls, making this prophecy particularly striking and a powerful testament to God's unfailing word, aligning with similar prophecies of Babylon's destruction found in Isaiah 13:19.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Bel" (בֵּל, Bel) is a Semitic word meaning "lord" or "master," a common title for various deities, but here specifically referring to the chief god of Babylon. The imagery of Bel "swallowing up" (בָּלַע, bala') evokes the idea of devouring or consuming, powerfully portraying Babylon's insatiable appetite for conquest and plunder. The declaration that the "wall of Babylon shall fall" (חוֹמַת בָּבֶל תִּפּוֹל, chomat Bavel tippol) is direct and unequivocal, emphasizing the completeness of its destruction despite its perceived impregnability.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 51:44 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over all human powers and false deities. It assures believers that no empire, ideology, or idol, no matter how mighty or entrenched, can ultimately thwart God's plans or escape His justice. For us today, it encourages us to examine what "gods" or systems we might inadvertently "flow to" for security or fulfillment, reminding us that true security is found only in the Lord. It also offers hope that God will eventually right all wrongs and bring justice to those who have been oppressed, echoing the symbolic fall of worldly systems depicted in Revelation 18:2.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 51:34

    Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.

  • Jeremiah 51:58

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.

  • Jeremiah 50:2

    Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

  • Isaiah 2:2

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

  • Isaiah 60:5

    Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

  • Daniel 4:22

    It [is] thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

  • Isaiah 46:1

    ¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast].