Jeremiah 51:62

Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.

Then shalt thou say {H559}, O LORD {H3068}, thou hast spoken {H1696} against this place {H4725}, to cut it off {H3772}, that none shall remain {H3427} in it, neither man {H120} nor beast {H929}, but that it shall be desolate {H8077} for ever {H5769}.

'ADONAI, you have promised to destroy this place, that no one will live here, neither human nor animal, but that it will be desolate forever.'

and say, ‘O LORD, You have promised to cut off this place so that no one will remain—neither man nor beast. Indeed, it will be desolate forever.’

and say, O Jehovah, thou hast spoken concerning this place, to cut it off, that none shall dwell therein, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.

Commentary

Jeremiah 51:62 concludes a powerful prophetic declaration concerning the utter destruction of Babylon, delivered by the prophet Jeremiah. This verse is part of a larger oracle against Babylon, which is recorded in Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51.

Context

This verse is the instruction given to Seraiah, the quartermaster (or chief chamberlain) accompanying King Zedekiah to Babylon. Jeremiah had given Seraiah a scroll containing all the words of prophecy against Babylon. The instruction was that after Seraiah read these prophecies aloud in Babylon, he was to tie a stone to the scroll and throw it into the Euphrates River, symbolizing Babylon's sinking and not rising again (see Jeremiah 51:63-64). Verse 62 specifically outlines the declaration Seraiah was to make, affirming that the LORD Himself had spoken against Babylon, decreeing its complete and everlasting desolation. This context underscores the divine origin and certainty of the judgment against the powerful Babylonian empire, which had recently conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The verse powerfully emphasizes that it is the LORD who has "spoken against this place." This highlights God's absolute control over nations and history, and His righteous judgment against those who oppress His people and defy His will. The destruction of Babylon was not merely a political event but a direct act of divine retribution.
  • Certainty of Prophetic Fulfillment: The command for Seraiah to declare this in Babylon itself serves as a tangible act of faith and a public pronouncement of a future reality. It reinforces the theme that God's word will not return to Him empty; it will accomplish what He desires. The detailed nature of the prophecy, including the complete removal of "man nor beast," underscores the thoroughness of the impending desolation.
  • Everlasting Desolation: The phrase "desolate for ever" signifies a judgment that is permanent and irreversible. Unlike other nations that might rise again, Babylon's fall was intended to be final, serving as a perpetual warning. This level of destruction is a testament to the severity of Babylon's sins, including its pride, idolatry, and cruelty towards God's people (compare with prophecies in Isaiah 13:20-22).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "desolate for ever" is shamema l'olam (שְׁמָמָה לְעוֹלָם). Shamema conveys the idea of utter ruin, waste, or desolation, often implying a state of shock or astonishment at the destruction. L'olam means "forever," "eternally," or "for a very long time," depending on context. Here, combined with the extreme description of no man or beast remaining, it strongly conveys a permanent, uninhabitable wasteland, reflecting the severity of God's decree against Babylon.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 51:62 reminds us of several enduring truths:

  • God is Just and Sovereign: No power, no matter how mighty, can stand against the will of God. He holds all nations accountable for their actions, and His justice will ultimately prevail. This offers comfort to the oppressed and a sober warning to the proud.
  • The Reliability of God's Word: The fulfillment of these prophecies against Babylon, which was indeed brought to ruin, reinforces the trustworthiness of all of God's promises and warnings. What God declares, He will bring to pass.
  • Warnings Are Serious: The complete and lasting desolation of Babylon serves as a powerful reminder that rebellion against God and oppression of His people carry severe consequences. It encourages us to heed God's warnings and live in obedience to His commands.
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 50:3

    For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.

  • Jeremiah 50:13

    Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.

  • Revelation 18:20

    Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

  • Revelation 18:23

    And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

  • Jeremiah 50:39

    Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell [there], and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.

  • Jeremiah 50:40

    As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD; [so] shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

  • Isaiah 13:19

    ¶ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
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