Jeremiah 51:61

And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;

And Jeremiah {H3414} said {H559} to Seraiah {H8304}, When thou comest {H935} to Babylon {H894}, and shalt see {H7200}, and shalt read {H7121} all these words {H1697};

Yirmeyahu said to S'rayah, "See to it that when you arrive in Bavel you read all these words aloud. Then say,

And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “When you get to Babylon, see that you read all these words aloud,

And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, then see that thou read all these words,

Commentary

Jeremiah 51:61 records a crucial instruction given by the prophet Jeremiah to Seraiah, a royal official and brother to Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe. This verse sets the stage for a powerful symbolic act designed to underscore the certainty of God's impending judgment against the mighty Babylonian Empire.

Context and Historical Setting

This verse comes at the very end of Jeremiah's extensive prophecy against Babylon, spanning chapters 50 and 51. Jeremiah had dictated this lengthy message, detailing Babylon's impending destruction as divine retribution for its pride and its cruel treatment of God's people, Judah. Seraiah was instructed to travel to Babylon during the fourth year of King Zedekiah's reign (around 593 BC), a period when Judah was still a vassal state under Babylonian rule, before Jerusalem's final destruction in 586 BC. His mission was not merely to deliver a message but to perform a prophetic act: to read "all these words" – the entire scroll of judgment – within Babylon itself. This public reading, though perhaps not before a large assembly, was a declaration of God's sovereign decree in the very heart of the enemy's territory, culminating in the symbolic casting of the scroll into the Euphrates River as described in Jeremiah 51:64.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The passage powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control over nations. Even the most powerful empire of the day, ancient Babylon, was subject to His will and judgment. This is a recurring theme throughout the book of Jeremiah, emphasizing that God raises up and brings down kingdoms according to His righteous purposes.
  • The Power and Certainty of God's Word: Jeremiah's command for Seraiah to read "all these words" highlights the authority and infallibility of God's prophetic declarations. The message was not just for Judah but for Babylon itself, signifying that God's word would indeed come to pass, regardless of how improbable it might seem. This echoes the broader theme of God watching over His word to perform it.
  • Prophetic Action and Symbolism: The instruction to Seraiah was a direct, physical embodiment of the prophetic message. Prophets often used symbolic actions to reinforce their verbal messages, making them more tangible and impactful. Seraiah's mission was a powerful visual sermon, culminating in the symbolic destruction of the scroll, foreshadowing Babylon's ultimate demise.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "all these words" (Hebrew: kol ha'd'varim ha'elleh) refers specifically to the extensive prophecy against Babylon contained in Jeremiah chapters 50-51. This emphasizes the comprehensive and definitive nature of the judgment. Seraiah, identified as a "quiet prince" or "chief chamberlain" (KJV margin for Jeremiah 51:59), was a person of standing, which lent gravity and official weight to his mission. His name, Seraiah, means "Yahweh is prince," a poignant name for one carrying a message of judgment against a worldly prince and kingdom.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 51:61 reminds us that God's plans and prophecies are sovereign and will be fulfilled. For believers, this offers immense comfort and assurance that despite the chaos and apparent power of worldly systems, God remains in control. It also serves as a solemn warning that pride, oppression, and rebellion against God will ultimately face divine reckoning. We are called to trust in God's word, knowing that His justice will prevail, and to be willing to declare His truth, even in challenging environments, much like Seraiah was sent to the heart of Babylon.

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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

  • Colossians 4:16

    And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the [epistle] from Laodicea.

  • Mark 13:1

    ¶ And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings [are here]!

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:18

    Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

  • Revelation 1:3

    ¶ Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

  • Matthew 24:1

    ¶ And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

  • Jeremiah 29:1

    ¶ Now these [are] the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;

  • Jeremiah 29:2

    (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)
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