Jeremiah 51:46

And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come [one] year, and after that in [another] year [shall come] a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.

And lest your heart {H3824} faint {H7401}, and ye fear {H3372} for the rumour {H8052} that shall be heard {H8085} in the land {H776}; a rumour {H8052} shall both come {H935} one year {H8141}, and after {H310} that in another year {H8141} shall come a rumour {H8052}, and violence {H2555} in the land {H776}, ruler {H4910} against ruler {H4910}.

Don't be fainthearted, don't be afraid of the rumors spreading abroad in the land. One year one rumor comes, the next year another one, rumors of violence in the land and rulers fighting rulers.

Do not let your heart grow faint, and do not be afraid when the rumor is heard in the land; for a rumor will come one year— and then another the next year— of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.

And let not your heart faint, neither fear ye for the tidings that shall be heard in the land; for tidings shall come one year, and after that in another year shall come tidings, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.

Commentary

Jeremiah 51:46 serves as a prophetic warning to the people of Judah, specifically those who would witness or hear about the impending downfall of Babylon. The prophet Jeremiah urges them not to lose heart or succumb to fear amidst the chaos that would accompany Babylon's judgment.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy and detailed prophecy in Jeremiah chapters 50-51, which is entirely dedicated to the destruction of Babylon, the empire that had conquered Judah and exiled its people. Jeremiah foretells Babylon's complete desolation as divine retribution for its arrogance and cruelty, especially against God's chosen nation. The warning in verse 46 is directed towards the Jewish exiles or those hearing these tidings, instructing them to remain steadfast and not be overwhelmed by the rumors and violence that would precede and accompany Babylon's collapse. It anticipates a period of sustained unrest and internal strife within the great city.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse implicitly highlights God's absolute control over nations and history. Babylon's destruction is not random but a fulfillment of God's righteous judgment (Jeremiah 50:29).
  • Steadfastness Amidst Chaos: The primary message is a call to faith and resilience. Believers are exhorted not to "faint" or "fear" even when disturbing reports ("rumours") and violence are rampant.
  • Anticipation of Anarchy: The phrase "ruler against ruler" vividly describes the internal strife, civil unrest, and political instability that would plague Babylon, intensifying the chaos.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "faint" is rachaph, which conveys a sense of trembling, quaking, or being utterly terrified. The repetition of "rumour" (Hebrew: shemu'ah) emphasizes the continuous and escalating nature of the disturbing reports that would reach the people year after year, signaling the ongoing turmoil and eventual downfall of Babylon. This sustained period of unsettling news and internal conflict would test the resolve of all who heard it.

Practical Application

In a world often filled with distressing news, political upheaval, and "rumours of wars" (Matthew 24:6), Jeremiah 51:46 offers a timeless message of spiritual fortitude. It reminds believers that even when societies experience profound instability and leaders contend against each other, God remains sovereign. We are called not to give in to panic or despair but to trust in God's ultimate plan and to remain grounded in His truth, knowing that His kingdom is unshakable (Hebrews 12:28). This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart of peace and trust, even when the world around us seems to be falling apart.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 2 Kings 19:7

    Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

  • Isaiah 13:3

    I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, [even] them that rejoice in my highness.

  • Isaiah 13:5

    They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, [even] the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

  • Isaiah 19:2

    And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, [and] kingdom against kingdom.

  • Luke 21:9

    But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by.

  • Luke 21:19

    In your patience possess ye your souls.

  • Judges 7:22

    And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.
← Back