Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Jeremiah 50:15

Next

Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it [is] the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

Shout {H7321} against her round about {H5439}: she hath given {H5414} her hand {H3027}: her foundations {H803} are fallen {H5307}, her walls {H2346} are thrown down {H2040}: for it is the vengeance {H5360} of the LORD {H3068}: take vengeance {H5358} upon her; as she hath done {H6213}, do {H6213} unto her.

From all sides raise the war cry against her! Now she surrenders! Her buttresses fall, her walls are thrown down, for this is the vengeance of ADONAI. Avenge yourself on her! As she has done, do to her!

Raise a war cry against her on every side! She has thrown up her hands in surrender; her towers have fallen; her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take out your vengeance upon her; as she has done, do the same to her.

Shout against her round about: she hath submitted herself; her bulwarks are fallen, her walls are thrown down; for it is the vengeance of Jehovah: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

Commentary

Jeremiah 50:15 is a powerful declaration of God's impending judgment against Babylon, the dominant world power of Jeremiah's time, which had brutally conquered Judah and exiled its people. This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle detailing Babylon's utter destruction as divine retribution for its pride and cruelty.

Context

Chapters 50 and 51 of Jeremiah are dedicated to prophecies concerning Babylon, contrasting its eventual downfall with the promised restoration of Israel and Judah. In this specific verse, the prophet calls for a complete assault on Babylon, emphasizing its inevitable collapse. The phrase "Shout against her round about" evokes the imagery of an invading army surrounding the city, while "she hath given her hand" suggests a complete surrender or acknowledgement of defeat. The subsequent declaration that "her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down" signifies total and irreversible destruction, a direct consequence of it being "the vengeance of the LORD."

Key Themes

  • Divine Vengeance and Justice: The central message is that Babylon's destruction is not mere human conflict but the righteous vengeance of the LORD. God is actively involved in history, ensuring that oppressors face consequences for their actions against His people and His moral order.
  • Poetic Justice (Lex Talionis): The command "as she hath done, do unto her" highlights a principle of divine reciprocity. Babylon, which had inflicted such devastation and injustice on other nations and particularly Judah, would now experience the same measure of destruction. This echoes the sentiment found in Obadiah 1:15 regarding the day of the Lord.
  • Sovereignty of God: Despite Babylon's immense power and seemingly impenetrable defenses, this prophecy underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations. He orchestrates the rise and fall of empires according to His divine plan.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the vengeance of the LORD" (Hebrew: נְקָמָה, nəqāmâ) is crucial. In biblical context, "vengeance" when attributed to God is not personal spite or uncontrolled anger, but rather a manifestation of His perfect justice and righteousness. It is a divine act of setting things right, balancing the scales of justice, and demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant and His people. It ensures that no evil goes unpunished ultimately.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 50:15 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Assurance of God's Justice: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is a just God who will ultimately hold all powers and individuals accountable for their deeds. For those suffering injustice, it provides comfort and hope that God sees and will act in His perfect timing.
  • Consequences of Oppression: It starkly illustrates that nations and individuals who engage in pride, cruelty, and oppression will face divine reckoning. No earthly power is beyond God's judgment.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: In a world filled with chaos and powerful, seemingly unchecked forces, this prophecy encourages trust in God's overarching control. He remains sovereign over all human affairs, capable of bringing down even the mightiest empires, as seen in the historical fall of Babylon and its prophetic echo in the symbolic fall of Babylon in Revelation.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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 51:58 (5 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.

  • Jeremiah 51:6 (4 votes)

    Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

  • Jeremiah 46:10 (4 votes)

    For this [is] the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

  • Revelation 18:6 (4 votes)

    Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

  • Jeremiah 51:14 (3 votes)

    The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, [saying], Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

  • Lamentations 5:6 (3 votes)

    We have given the hand [to] the Egyptians, [and to] the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:8 (3 votes)

    Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.