Jeremiah 51:60

So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, [even] all these words that are written against Babylon.

So Jeremiah {H3414} wrote {H3789} in a {H259} book {H5612} all the evil {H7451} that should come {H935} upon Babylon {H894}, even all these words {H1697} that are written {H3789} against Babylon {H894}.

Yirmeyahu had written on a separate scroll all the above words describing the disaster that was to befall Bavel.

Jeremiah had written on a single scroll about all the disaster that would come upon Babylon—all these words that had been written concerning Babylon.

And Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written concerning Babylon.

Commentary

Jeremiah 51:60 serves as a concluding statement to the extensive prophecies against Babylon found in Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. This verse highlights the prophet Jeremiah's meticulous recording of God's severe judgment against the powerful Babylonian empire, ensuring the preservation and future fulfillment of these divine declarations.

Context

The Book of Jeremiah chronicles the prophet's ministry during a tumultuous period leading up to and including the Babylonian exile. Chapters 50 and 51 contain a detailed oracle, a lengthy and vivid prophecy specifically directed against Babylon, the nation responsible for Judah's destruction and the captivity of its people. This oracle describes Babylon's impending downfall, not by human might alone, but as an act of divine retribution for its pride, idolatry, and oppression of God's people. The instruction for Jeremiah to "write in a book" emphasizes the permanence and authority of this message, underscoring that these were not mere human predictions but divinely inspired pronouncements. Following this verse, Jeremiah 51:61-64 details how this written prophecy was to be taken to Babylon by Seraiah, read aloud, and then sunk into the Euphrates River as a symbolic act of Babylon's complete destruction.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. Babylon, though a mighty empire, was not beyond God's reach. Its rise and fall were part of His divine plan, serving as a powerful demonstration that He brings low the proud and exalts the humble.
  • The Written Word of God: The act of writing the prophecy "in a book" signifies the importance of the written word. It ensures accuracy, preservation, and the ability for future generations to witness the fulfillment of God's promises and warnings. This emphasizes the enduring nature of God's message, which does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The explicit statement that "all these words that are written against Babylon" would come to pass reinforces the certainty of God's prophetic word. It assures the reader that what God declares, He will indeed bring about, whether it is judgment or blessing. The fall of Babylon, historically documented, stands as a testament to this truth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wrote in a book" uses the Hebrew word sepher (סֵפֶר), which refers to a scroll or any written document. This wasn't merely a casual note but a formal, official record of the divine oracle. The comprehensive nature of "all the evil that should come upon Babylon" emphasizes the totality of the judgment, encompassing all aspects of their destruction as detailed in the preceding chapters.

Practical Application

This verse offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Word: Just as God's prophecies against Babylon were meticulously recorded and perfectly fulfilled, we can trust that all of His promises and warnings in the Bible are true and will come to pass.
  • God's Justice Prevails: In a world that often seems unjust, this passage reminds us that God is ultimately in control. He sees all injustice and pride, and in His perfect timing, He will bring about righteous judgment. This offers comfort to the oppressed and a warning to those who act unjustly.
  • The Enduring Power of Scripture: The act of writing down God's message ensures its preservation through generations. It highlights the Bible's authority and relevance for all time, serving as a guide, a warning, and a source of hope.
  • Warning Against Pride and Idolatry: Babylon's downfall was largely due to its arrogance and worship of false gods. This serves as a timeless caution against national or personal pride and the dangers of placing anything above the one true God.
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

  • Habakkuk 2:2

    And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

  • Habakkuk 2:3

    For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

  • Isaiah 30:8

    ¶ Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

  • Jeremiah 36:32

    Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.

  • Jeremiah 30:2

    Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.

  • Jeremiah 30:3

    For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

  • Revelation 1:19

    Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
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