Jeremiah 51:49

KJV

As Babylon [hath caused] the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

As {H1571} Babylon {H894} hath caused the slain {H2491} of Israel {H3478} to fall {H5307}, so at Babylon {H894} shall fall {H5307} the slain {H2491} of all the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Just as Bavel caused the slain of Isra'el to fall, so at Bavel will fall the slain of all the land.

Berean Standard Bible

“Babylon must fall on account of the slain of Israel, just as the slain of all the earth have fallen because of Babylon.

American Standard Version

As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 51:49 delivers a potent prophetic declaration concerning the inevitable and comprehensive judgment awaiting Babylon. This verse encapsulates the principle of divine reciprocity, asserting that just as Babylon inflicted widespread death and suffering upon Israel, so too would it become the very place where countless individuals from "all the earth" would meet their demise. It serves as a stark testament to God's unwavering justice, His sovereignty over all nations, and His commitment to holding even the most formidable empires accountable for their actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the extensive oracle against Babylon found in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon"), which constitutes the longest single prophecy in the book of Jeremiah. These chapters immediately follow a series of prophecies against other nations, but Babylon's prominence reflects its role as the primary oppressor of Judah and the instrument of God's judgment against His own people. The oracle functions as a message of hope and vindication for the exiled Israelites, assuring them that their suffering under Babylonian dominion would not be the final word. It contrasts Babylon's destructive power, which had shattered nations, with its own impending and equally devastating downfall, echoing earlier declarations that Babylon, the "hammer of the whole earth," would itself be broken, as seen in [Jeremiah 50:23](/jeremiah/50-23 "Jeremiah 50:23 - Babylon, the Hammer Broken").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy, the Neo-Babylonian Empire, under the formidable King Nebuchadnezzar, was the undisputed superpower of the ancient Near East. Babylon had conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BCE, and deported a significant portion of its population into exile. The city of Babylon itself was a marvel of the ancient world, renowned for its immense walls, the Hanging Gardens, and its pagan idolatry, particularly the worship of Marduk. Jeremiah's prophecy, delivered to a people suffering under this oppressive regime, was a radical assertion of divine justice against a seemingly invincible empire. The eventual fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians in 539 BCE, though not directly a result of a massive battle with "slain of all the earth" within its walls in the same manner as its conquests, historically validated the overarching theme of its divine overthrow.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 51:49 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the book. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Retribution**, where God's righteous character demands that injustice be addressed, and oppressors be judged. The verse vividly illustrates the **Reciprocity of Judgment**, encapsulated in the "As...so..." structure, which underscores a divine principle of sowing and reaping on a national scale. This echoes sentiments found in other biblical texts concerning God's recompense, such as the call for Babylon to receive its just deserts in [Psalm 137:8](/psalm/137-8 "Psalm 137:8 - Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction"). Furthermore, the phrase "slain of all the earth" highlights the **Universal Scope of God's Justice**, signifying that God's sovereignty extends beyond His covenant people to encompass all humanity and nations, ensuring that no empire, however mighty, is beyond His ultimate accountability. This provides profound **Hope for the Exiled**, assuring them that their God is active in history and will ultimately vindicate His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **slain (Hebrew, _châlâl'_):** From H2491, meaning "pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted; kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded." This word emphasizes a violent, often ritualistic, or battle-related death, highlighting the brutal nature of Babylon's conquests and the suffering it inflicted upon Israel. Its repetition underscores the theme of death and destruction.
* **fall (Hebrew, _nâphal'_):** From H5307, a primitive root meaning "to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)." In this context, "fall" carries the weight of military defeat, the collapse of an empire, and the death of its inhabitants. The double use of this verb—Babylon caused Israel to fall, and Babylon itself shall fall—creates a powerful rhetorical and theological echo, reinforcing the principle of divine reversal.
* **Babylon (Hebrew, _Bâbel'_):** From H894, meaning "confusion." This name is deeply significant, recalling the Tower of Babel ([Genesis 11:9](/genesis/11-9 "Genesis 11:9 - The Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Languages")), where humanity's rebellious ambition led to confusion and dispersion. In Jeremiah, Babylon embodies this ancient spirit of pride, rebellion against God, and oppressive power, making its prophesied "fall" a symbolic undoing of its very nature.
* **earth (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** From H776, meaning "the earth (at large, or partitively a land)." When used in the phrase "all the earth" (_kol-ha'aretz_), it expands the scope of Babylon's victims (and later, its own judgment) beyond just Israel to encompass a multitude of nations. This signifies the global reach of Babylon's empire and, consequently, the universal scope of the divine judgment that would befall it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall":** This initial clause establishes the premise for divine retribution. It directly attributes the widespread death and devastation suffered by Israel to the actions of Babylon. This refers to the sieges of Jerusalem, the subsequent destruction of the city and temple, and the mass killings and deportations that characterized Babylon's conquest of Judah. It highlights Babylon's role as an instrument of God's judgment against His people, but also implicitly its overreach and cruelty, which would necessitate its own judgment.
* **"so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth."**: This second clause pronounces the reciprocal judgment. The "so" indicates a direct consequence, a divine mirroring of Babylon's actions. Just as Babylon caused death among Israel, it would become the site where vast numbers of people—representing not only its own populace but also its allies and the diverse nations it had conquered—would be slain. This signifies a comprehensive and devastating downfall, a divine reversal of fortunes where the oppressor becomes the oppressed, and the one who caused others to fall is itself brought low.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 51:49 is rich in literary techniques that amplify its prophetic message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically an antithetical or chiastic parallelism, structured by the "As...so..." construction. This directly juxtaposes Babylon's past actions against Israel with its future fate, emphasizing the principle of divine justice and reciprocity. The phrase "the slain of all the earth" can be understood as **Hyperbole** or **Merism**, conveying the immense scale of destruction and the vast number of people who would be affected by Babylon's judgment, rather than a strictly literal global tally. This rhetorical exaggeration underscores the comprehensiveness of the divine reckoning. There is also a profound sense of **Irony** at play: Babylon, the mighty conqueror and destroyer of nations, is prophesied to suffer a similar, if not greater, fate within its own borders. This reversal highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over human empires. Finally, the verse is a powerful example of **Retribution Theology**, where the punishment is directly proportionate to the crime, illustrating God's unwavering commitment to making all things right.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 51:49 stands as a profound theological statement on God's unwavering justice and His sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations. It powerfully asserts that no empire, however mighty or seemingly invincible, is beyond the reach of divine accountability. The principle of "as you sow, so shall you reap" is applied on a national scale, offering both a stark warning to oppressors and immense comfort to the oppressed. God, who used Babylon as an instrument of judgment against Israel, ultimately holds Babylon responsible for its own pride, idolatry, and excessive cruelty. This divine justice is not limited to His covenant people but extends to all of creation, ensuring that all wrongs will ultimately be addressed. The fall of Babylon, therefore, becomes a historical testament to God's active involvement in human history, His commitment to righteousness, and His ultimate vindication of His people.

* [Psalm 137:8-9](/psalm/137-8 "Psalm 137:8-9 - Daughters of Babylon, doomed to destruction")
* [Isaiah 13:1-22](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Oracle Against Babylon")
* [Revelation 18:6](/revelation/18-6 "Revelation 18:6 - Judgment of Babylon the Great")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 51:49 offers enduring lessons for believers and societies today. For those who feel oppressed, marginalized, or witness pervasive injustice, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God sees, God remembers, and God will ultimately act. It cultivates a deep trust in divine timing and God's perfect justice, even when human systems of justice seem to fail or are slow to respond. For those in positions of power, whether personal, corporate, or national, it issues a solemn warning against the abuse of authority, pride, and the temptation to inflict harm or exploit others. It calls us to examine our own lives and the institutions we are part of, ensuring that we do not contribute to systems that cause others to "fall." Ultimately, it encourages us to align ourselves with God's righteous character, to advocate for justice, and to live with the hopeful assurance that all forms of oppression and evil will one day face their inevitable and just reckoning.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this prophecy encourage those who feel oppressed or witness injustice in the world today?**
* **What does the principle of "as...so..." teach us about the consequences of our actions, both individually and corporately?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to wield power unjustly, and how can we guard against such temptations?**

### FAQ
**Is "all the earth" literal, meaning people from every nation on the planet would die in Babylon?**

Answer: The phrase "all the earth" (Hebrew: _kol-ha'aretz_) in this context is generally understood as a hyperbole or a merism, emphasizing the vast scope of Babylon's influence and the comprehensive nature of its judgment, rather than a strictly literal global death toll. It signifies that the judgment would be far-reaching, affecting not only Babylon's own citizens but also the many nations it had conquered or those who would participate in its downfall. It underscores the universal reach of God's justice and the widespread impact of Babylon's empire, ensuring that its fall would be a momentous event felt across the known world.

**How does the fall of ancient Babylon relate to the "Babylon" mentioned in the book of Revelation?**

Answer: The fall of ancient Babylon, as prophesied in Jeremiah, serves as a profound historical precedent and a powerful type for the "Babylon the Great" described in [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Prostitute and the Beast") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon the Great"). While ancient Babylon was a literal historical empire, the New Testament "Babylon" is widely interpreted symbolically. It represents any oppressive, idolatrous, and anti-God world system, city, or power that opposes God's people throughout history, culminating in the final judgment of all evil at the end of the age. The themes of divine retribution, the ultimate downfall of those who persecute God's people, and the call for God's people to "come out of her" ([Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People")) are powerfully echoed and brought to their eschatological fulfillment in Revelation's portrayal of "Babylon the Great."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 51:49 directly prophesies the judgment of a historical empire, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The verse speaks of a divine justice that ensures the oppressor's "fall" in proportion to the suffering inflicted. This ultimate justice is perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ, who is appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead ([Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus Appointed Judge")). On the cross, Christ Himself became the one upon whom the judgment for the "slain" of sin "fell," taking upon Himself the curse that we deserved ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, Jesus has already secured the ultimate victory over all oppressive powers—sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil—foreshadowing the final "fall" of all unrighteousness. Believers, united with Christ, are delivered from the judgment that will one day fall upon those who reject God's rule ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). The historical fall of Babylon points forward to the eschatological reality where every knee will bow and every oppressive system will finally "fall" before the returning King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, who will establish His righteous and eternal kingdom ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return")). Thus, the justice foreshadowed in Jeremiah's prophecy is fully realized in the Lamb of God, who not only takes away the sin of the world but also ensures that all forms of evil will ultimately face His perfect and just judgment.

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 51:24

And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 50:29

Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

Psalms 137:8

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

Psalms 137:9

Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

Jeremiah 50:33

¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah [were] oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.

Jeremiah 50:34

Their Redeemer [is] strong; the LORD of hosts [is] his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:17

Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.