Jeremiah 51:49

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Jeremiah 51:49 is a powerful prophetic statement from the prophet Jeremiah concerning the ultimate judgment of Babylon, the dominant world power of his time and the oppressor of Judah.

Context

This verse is found within Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51, which comprise an extensive oracle against Babylon. At the time of this prophecy, Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, had conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and carried many Israelites into exile. These chapters serve as a message of hope and divine justice for the exiled Israelites, assuring them that their suffering would not go unaddressed and that their powerful oppressor would face a devastating downfall. The prophecies depict Babylon as a hammer that shattered nations, but one that would itself be broken, as foretold in Jeremiah 50:23.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution: The verse clearly articulates the principle of divine justice. Just as Babylon inflicted immense suffering and death upon Israel, God declares that Babylon itself will become a place where countless others, drawn from "all the earth," will fall. This highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His commitment to righteous judgment.
  • Reciprocity of Judgment: There's a direct correlation between Babylon's actions and its fate. The phrase "As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth" underscores a divine law of sowing and reaping on a national scale. This echoes sentiments found elsewhere regarding God's recompense, such as the call for Babylon to receive its just deserts in Psalm 137:8.
  • Universal Scope of God's Justice: The phrase "slain of all the earth" (Hebrew: kol-ha'aretz) emphasizes that Babylon's judgment would be far-reaching, affecting not just its own citizens but also those from the many nations it had subdued or who would participate in its downfall. This signifies that God's justice extends beyond His covenant people to encompass all humanity and nations.

Linguistic Insights

The expression "slain of all the earth" (Hebrew: kol-ha'aretz) is significant. While 'aretz can mean "land" (referring specifically to the land of Babylon or the lands it conquered), in this context, "all the earth" emphasizes the vast number of people from various nations who would either be killed in Babylon's fall or who had already been slain by Babylon across its vast empire. It conveys a comprehensive scope of destruction and death associated with Babylon, either as a perpetrator or as a victim of divine judgment.

Significance and Application

Jeremiah 51:49 offers profound comfort and reassurance to those suffering under oppression, reminding them that God is a just judge who sees injustice and will ultimately bring about a reckoning. It serves as a stark warning to powerful entities and nations that abuse their power, demonstrating that no empire, however mighty, is beyond God's ultimate accountability. The principle of divine justice, where the oppressor faces a fate similar to what they inflicted, is a recurring theme in scripture, from the historical fall of empires to the prophetic imagery of "Babylon the Great" in Revelation. This verse encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to righteousness.

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

  • 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.
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