Jeremiah 51

1 This is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: “Behold [look, see], I will stir up [rouse, awaken] against Babylon [a city and empire of confusion] and against the people of Leb-kamai [those who rise up, stand firm] the spirit [breath of life, wind] of a destroyer [one who ruins, corrupts]. word study 2 I will send [foreign soldiers] strangers to Babylon [a city of confusion, Babel] to winnow [to scatter, fan] her and empty [to pour out, make desolate] her land [the earth, territory]; for they will come against her from every side [surrounding, encompassing] in her day [a period of time, a season] of disaster [trouble, evil, moral or natural harm]. word study 3 Do not let the archer [the bowman, one who wields a bow] bend his bow [the weapon used for hunting or battle] or put on his armor [coat of mail, a protective garment]. Do not spare [have mercy on, show pity to] her young men [the chosen or select individuals, in their prime]; devote [set apart, utterly destroy] all her army [the large group of people, a campaign] to destruction [utter devastation, complete ruin]! word study 4 And they will fall [be defeated, meet their end] slain [killed, profaned] in the land [region, territory] of the Chaldeans [inhabitants of Mesopotamia], and pierced through [wounded, thrust through] in her streets [outside, in the open areas]. word study 5 For Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, God’s chosen people] and Judah [the tribe descended from Judah, son of Jacob] have not been abandoned [forsaken, left without help] by their God [Elohim, the supreme Lord], the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people or things], though their land [the soil, country, or territory] is full [filled, made complete] of guilt [sin, a fault, or trespass] before the Holy [set apart, sacred] One of Israel [the God of Jacob and his descendants].” word study 6 Flee [escape quickly, run away] from Babylon [the city of confusion]! Escape [save, deliver] with your lives [souls, very being]! Do not [never, under no circumstances] be destroyed [cut off, silenced] in her [Babylon’s] punishment [iniquity, sin, evil-doing]. For [because, since] this is the time [season, moment] of the LORD’s [Yehovah, the covenant God] vengeance [recompense, punishment, justice]; He will pay [render, give] her [Babylon] what she deserves [her recompense, what is due to her]. word study 7 Babylon [a city of confusion, mixing, and empire] was a gold [valuable, brilliant, and highly prized] cup [a vessel for wine] in the hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], making [causing to become, inducing] the whole [all, everything, the entire] earth [land, country, territory] drunk [intoxicated, under the influence]. The nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrews, large groups] drank [consumed, feasted on] her wine [fermented, intoxicating]; therefore [so, thus, in consequence] the nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrews, large groups] have gone [become, been made] mad [foolish, wild, celebrating]. word study 8 Suddenly [in an instant, without warning] Babylon [a city of confusion, Babel] has fallen [been defeated, come to an end] and been shattered [broken, utterly destroyed]. Wail [mourn, lament] for her; get her balm [fragrant resin, medicinal ointment] for her pain [sorrow, grief]; perhaps [it may be, if it is possible] she can be healed [restored, made whole]. word study 9 “We tried to [bring restoration, cure] heal Babylon, but she could not be [made whole, cured] healed. Abandon [forsake, leave behind] her! Let each of us go to his own [native, ancestral] land, for her judgment [punishment, verdict] extends to the [heavenly, celestial] sky and reaches to the [highest, loftiest] clouds.” word study 10 “The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has brought forth [produced, made clear] our vindication [righteousness, justice]; come [approach, enter], let us tell [declare, recount] in Zion [the city of God, Jerusalem] what the LORD [the supreme God] our God [Elohim, the one true God] has accomplished [done, brought about].” word study 11 Sharpen [make sharp, cleanse] the arrows! Fill [hold firm, gather] the quivers! The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has aroused [stirred up, roused] the spirit [breath of life, mind and emotions] of the kings [royal persons] of the Medes [a people descended from Japheth], because His plan [device, purpose] is aimed at [against, directed towards] Babylon [a city and empire, meaning confusion or mixing] to destroy [ruin, corrupt] her, for it is the vengeance [avengement, punishment] of the LORD— vengeance [avengement, punishment] for His temple [a large public building, the house of God]. word study 12 Raise a banner [signal flag, standard] against the walls [fortifications, defenses] of Babylon; post the guard [strengthen the watch, reinforce the guards]; station the watchmen [set up the watchers, establish the observers]; prepare the ambush [lie in wait, set up a surprise attack]. For the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] has both devised [planned, purposed] and accomplished [done, fulfilled] what He spoke [declared, proclaimed] against the people [inhabitants, residents] of Babylon. word study 13 You [dweller, inhabitant] who dwell [to live, to stay] by many [abundant, numerous] waters [sources of refreshment], rich [abundant, wealthy] in treasures [storehouses, riches], your end [conclusion, extremity] has come; the thread [measure, cubit] of your life [existence, being] is cut [ended, terminated]. word study 14 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [army, a large group of people or things] has sworn [to make a promise or vow, using His own name] by Himself [His soul, the essence of His being]: “Surely I will fill [to make full or complete] you up with men as with [like a swarm of] locusts [young locust or caterpillar], and they will shout [give a loud cheer or acclaim] in triumph [joyfully, with a sense of victory] over you [upon your city].” word study 15 The LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] made [created, formed] the earth [land, ground] by His power [strength, might]; He established [set up, founded] the world [the earth and its inhabitants] by His wisdom [skill, prudence] and stretched out [spread out, expanded] the heavens [the visible universe, the sky] by His understanding [intelligence, insight]. word study 16 When He thunders [uttereth his voice, speaks loudly], the waters [multitude of waters, a massing] in the heavens [the visible universe, sky] roar; He causes the clouds [vapors, mists] to rise from the ends [borders, edges] of the earth [land, territory]. He generates [maketh, turneth] the lightning [thunder-flames] with the rain [to accompany rain, for rain] and brings forth the wind [a blast of air] from His storehouses [treasuries, treasures]. word study 17 Every man [is brutish, without understanding] is senseless [lacking knowledge, foolish] and devoid of knowledge [ignorant, uninformed]; every goldsmith [metalworker, refiner] is put to shame [disappointed, humiliated] by his idols [graven images, false gods]. For his molten images [cast idols, fraudulent deities] are a fraud [deception, falsehood], and there is no breath [spirit, life] in them. word study 18 They [those men] are worthless [vanity, empty], a work [deed, action] to be mocked [ridiculed, laughed at]. In the time [occasion] of their punishment [visitation, inspection] they will perish [be destroyed, lost]. word study 19 The Portion [inheritance, heritage] of Jacob [Israel, the chosen people] is not like these [idols, false gods], for He [the Creator, God] is the Maker [former, shaper] of all things [everything, the universe], and of the tribe [a clan] of His inheritance [possessions, legacy]— the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] is His name [identity, character]. word study 20 “You [my chosen instrument, a war-club] are My war club [a battle-axe], My weapon [an instrument of war, a tool for battle] for battle [war, combat]. With you [my powerful ally, my partner in conquest] I shatter [break in pieces, scatter] nations [Gentile peoples, non-Hebrew populations]; with you I bring [destroy, ruin] kingdoms [dominions, territories] to ruin [destruction, devastation]. word study 21 With you I shatter [break in pieces, scatter] the horse [chariot horse, cavalry] and rider [one who rides, charioteer]; with you I shatter [to disperse, destroy] the chariot [vehicle, team of horses] and driver [one who rides, controls]. word study 22 With you I shatter [break in pieces, destroy completely] man [male person, individual] and woman [female person, wife]; with you I shatter [scatter, disperse] the old [elderly, aged] man and the youth [young person, from infancy to adolescence]; with you I shatter [break, demolish] the young [chosen, select] man and the maiden [virgin, untouched]. word study 23 With you I shatter [break in pieces, scatter] the shepherd [one who cares for and rules over] and his flock [a group of animals, a community]; with you I shatter [destroy, disperse] the farmer [one who works the land] and his oxen [a team of cattle, a yoke]; with you I shatter [break apart, demolish] the governors [leaders of cities or regions] and officials [rulers, those in authority]. word study 24 Before your very eyes [in your sight, right in front of you] I will repay [render, give back, recompense] Babylon [Babel, a city of confusion] and all [every, the whole] the dwellers [inhabitants, people] of Chaldea [a region of wisdom and astrology] for all [every, the whole] the evil [bad, morally wrong, harmful] they have done [committed, made] in Zion [the city of God, Jerusalem, a place of spiritual significance],” declares [says, speaks, utters] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 25 “Behold [look, take notice], I am against you, O destroying [corrupting, laying waste] mountain, you who devastate [lay waste, ruin] the whole earth [all the land, the entire world], declares the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]. I will stretch out My hand [extend My power, exert My strength] against you; I will roll you over the cliffs [craggy rocks, rugged terrain] and turn you into a charred [burned, scorched] mountain [a desolate, barren land]. word study 26 No one [not a single person] shall retrieve from you a cornerstone [a stone for a corner, a chief foundation stone] or a foundation stone [a stone for foundations, a base], because you will become [exist as, be in a state of] desolate [utterly devastated, wasted] forever [for all eternity, always],” declares [utters, speaks forth] the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 27 “Raise a banner [standard, signal flag] in the land [earth, territory]! Blow the ram’s horn [trumpet] among the nations [Gentile, non-Hebrew peoples]! Prepare the nations [Gentile, large groups] against her. Summon the kingdoms [dominions, territories] against her— Ararat [mountainous region], Minni [Armenian province], and Ashkenaz [northern people]. Appoint a captain [official, commander] against her; bring up horses [chariot horses, cavalry] like swarming [rough, devouring] locusts [young locust, caterpillar]. word study 28 Prepare the nations [Gentile peoples, non-Hebrews] for battle [war, armed conflict] against her— the kings [royal rulers, monarchs] of the Medes [a people northwest of Persia], their governors [leaders, officials] and all their officials [rulers, authorities], and all the lands [territories, regions] they rule [have dominion over, control]. word study 29 The earth [land, territory] quakes [shakes, trembles] and writhes [twists, is in pain] because the LORD’s [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] intentions [purposes, plans] against Babylon [city of confusion, Babel] stand: to make the land [territory, region] of Babylon a desolation [waste, horror], without [lacking, devoid of] inhabitant [dweller, resident]. word study 30 The warriors [mighty men, strong fighters] of Babylon have stopped fighting [ceased to engage in battle]; they sit [dwell, remain] in their strongholds [fortresses, secure places]. Their strength [might, power] is exhausted [has failed, become weak]; they have become like women [weak, timid]. Babylon’s homes [dwelling places, tabernacles] have been set ablaze [burned, kindled], the bars [bolts, locks] of her gates are broken [shattered, ruptured]. word study 31 One courier [runner, messenger] races to meet another, and messenger [one who tells, announcer] follows messenger, to announce [declare, tell] to the king [ruler, monarch] of Babylon [city of confusion] that his city [town, metropolis] has been captured [seized, taken] from end [border, edge] to end [extremity, boundary]. word study 32 The fords [river crossings, passages] have been seized [captured, taken], the marshes [pools, swamps] set on fire [burned with flames], and the soldiers [men of war, warriors] are terrified [affrighted, dismayed, troubled].” word study 33 For this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people or things], the God [Elohim, the supreme God] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants], says: “The Daughter [a female child or a woman, used figuratively] of Babylon [a city and empire, meaning confusion or mixing] is like a threshing floor [an open area where grain is separated from chaff] at the time [now or when, an event or occasion] it is trampled [tread upon, walked on]. In just a little while [a short time, a brief period] her harvest time [the time of reaping, the season of gathering] will come [approach, arrive].” word study 34 “Nebuchadnezzar [king of kings, ruler of Babylon] king of Babylon has devoured [eaten up, consumed] me; he has crushed [destroyed, oppressed] me. He has set [established, appointed] me aside like an empty [vain, worthless] vessel; he has swallowed [destroyed, engulfed] me like a monster [dragon, sea-serpent]; he filled [satisfied, filled to the full] his belly [stomach, innermost being] with my delicacies [pleasant things, delights] and vomited [cast out, rejected] me out. word study 35 May the violence [injustice, cruelty] done to me and to my flesh [body, being] be upon [on, against] Babylon [the city of confusion],” says the dweller [inhabitant] of Zion [the city of God]. “May my blood [life, sacrifice] be on the dwellers [inhabitants] of Chaldea [the land of the Chaldeans],” says Jerusalem [the city of peace]. word study 36 Therefore [in this manner, thus] this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: “Behold [look, see], I will plead [argue, contend for] your case [cause, strife] and take vengeance [punish, avenge] on your behalf [for you]; I will dry up [desolate, wither] her sea [large body of water] and make her springs [fountain, source of water] run dry [be without water, wither]. word study 37 Babylon [a city of confusion, Babel] will become a heap [piles, ruins] of rubble, a haunt [dwelling place, habitation] for jackals [dragons, monsters], an object of horror [consternation, astonishment] and scorn [a hissing sound, contempt], without [having no, devoid of] inhabitant [one who dwells, a resident]. word study 38 They will roar together [together in unison, as one voice] like young lions [village-like gatherings, youthful and fierce]; they will growl [showing anger, frustration, or hunger] like lion cubs [whelps, in their early stages of development, inexperienced]. word study 39 While they are flushed with [intense, passionate] heat [warmth, fervor], I will serve them a [banquet] feast, and I will make them drunk [intoxicated, in a state of revelry] so that they may [rejoice, exult] revel; then they will fall asleep [into a deep slumber] forever [for all eternity, perpetually] and never wake up [arise, awaken], declares the [sovereign, omnipotent] LORD. word study 40 I will bring them down [to a place of death and destruction] like lambs [innocent and helpless] to the slaughter [to be ruthlessly killed], like rams [strong and powerful] with male goats [full-grown and mature]. word study 41 How [in what manner, to what extent] Sheshach [Babylon, a major city] has been captured [seized, taken control of]! The praise [a song of praise] of all [every part of] the earth [land, world] has been seized [captured, taken hold of]. What a horror [shammah, a state of ruin] Babylon [Babel, a city of confusion] has become [existed as, been made] among [in the midst of] the nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples]! word study 42 The sea [a large body of water] has come up [ascended, risen] over Babylon [a city of confusion, Babel]; she is covered [filled, hidden from view] in turbulent [crashing, multitude of] waves [a heap of water]. word study 43 Her cities [towns, settlements] have become a desolation [horror, ruin], a dry [barren, parched] and arid [desert, wilderness] land [territory, region], a land [earth, ground] where no one [no man, no human] lives [dwells, resides], where no son [descendant, offspring] of man [human, Adam] passes through [crosses over, travels]. word study 44 I will punish [execute judgment on, visit] Bel [the major Babylonian God, equivalent to Baal] in Babylon [the city of confusion]. I will make him spew out [bring forth from his mouth, force to disgorge] what he swallowed [devoured, consumed]. The nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples] will no longer [not again, still not] stream to him [flow together, assemble towards]; even the wall [barrier, fortification] of Babylon [the city of confusion] will fall [collapse, come down]. word study 45 Come out [go forth, depart] of her, My people [nation, Amaw]! Save [escape, deliver] your lives [souls], each of you [every man, individually], from the fierce [burning, intense] anger [wrath] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God]. word study 46 Do not let your heart [the innermost part of your being, including mind, will, and emotions] grow faint [become soft or weak], and do not be afraid [fear or revere] when the rumor [news or report, tidings] is heard in the land [the soil or ground, a country or territory]; for a rumor [report, message] will come one year [a period of time, like a cycle of seasons]— and then another the next year [after that, in the following cycle]— of violence [injustice, cruelty, or unfair treatment] in the land [the country or territory] and of ruler [one who has power or authority] against ruler [another in a position of power or authority]. word study 47 Therefore [so, thus], behold [look, see], the days [a period of time, an era] are coming when I will punish [execute judgment upon, visit] the idols [graven images, carved statues] of Babylon [a city and empire]. Her entire land [territory, region] will suffer [be confounded, experience shame] shame [humiliation, disgrace], and all her slain [pierced ones, those who have been killed] will lie fallen [fall, be defeated] within her [in the midst of her, among her people]. word study 48 Then heaven [the visible universe and the abode of God] and earth [the land, the material world] and all [everything, the entirety of creation] that is in them will shout for joy [sing, cry aloud] over Babylon [a city and empire] because the destroyers [spoilers, those who bring ruin] from the north [the direction of divine judgment] will come against her [approach, attack],” declares [utters, speaks forth] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 49 “Babylon [the city of confusion] must fall [be defeated, come to an end] on account of the slain [those killed, martyred] of Israel [God’s chosen people], just as the slain [victims, those fallen in battle] of all [every part of] the earth [land, world] have fallen [been killed, destroyed] because of Babylon [the empire of chaos]. word study 50 You who have escaped [survived, been spared] the sword [cutting instrument, knife], depart [go away, leave] and do not linger [stand still, wait]! Remember [recall, mark] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] from far away [a distant place, physically or in time], and let Jerusalem [the city of peace, capital of Palestine] come to mind [ascend upon your heart, be remembered].” word study 51 “We are [deeply] ashamed [confounded, embarrassed] because we have heard [and been affected by] reproach [scorn, bitter words]; disgrace [shame, confusion] has covered our faces [our presence, our person], because foreigners [strangers, men from strange lands] have entered [come into, invaded] the holy places [sanctuaries, sacred spaces] of the LORD’s [Yehovah, the supreme God] house [temple, dwelling place].” word study 52 “Therefore [in view of this, for this reason], behold [look, see], the days [periods of time, epochs] are coming,” declares the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], “when I will punish [execute judgment upon, visit] her idols [graven images, carved representations of false gods], and throughout her land [country, territory, region] the wounded [slain, hurt, profaned] will groan [cry out in pain, lament]. word study 53 Even if Babylon [should mount up to heaven] ascends to the heavens [the visible universe and the abode of God] and fortifies [gathers or strengthens] her lofty stronghold [high and elevated place], the destroyers [those who ruin or devastate] I send [cause to come or approach] will come against her [to attack or oppose],” declares [utters or makes a declaration] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 54 “The sound [voice, outcry] of a cry [loud shriek, distress call] comes from Babylon [Babel, city of confusion], the sound [noise, voice] of great [extensive, immense] destruction [breaking, shattering] from the land [earth, territory] of the Chaldeans [inhabitants of Chaldea, known for wisdom]! word study 55 For the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] will destroy [lay waste, ruin] Babylon; He will silence [put an end to, still] her mighty [great, powerful] voice [sound, cry]. The waves [a great commotion] will roar [make a loud noise, resound] like great [many, abundant] waters; the tumult [roar, uproar] of their voices [sounds, cries] will resound [be uttered, given forth]. word study 56 For [because of this reason] a destroyer [spoiler, one who ruins] is coming against her— against [upon] Babylon [the city of confusion]. Her warriors [mighty men, strong soldiers] will be captured [taken, seized], and their bows [weapons, instruments of war] will be broken [shattered, completely destroyed], for [since] the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] is a God [El, the powerful One] of retribution [recompenses, rewarding justice]; He will repay [requite, give back] in full [completely, entirely]. word study 57 I will make her princes [rulers, leaders] and wise men [intelligent, skilled] drunk, along with her governors [administrators], officials [deputies, nobles], and warriors [mighty men, champions]. Then they will fall asleep [into a deep slumber, perish] forever [for all eternity, perpetually] and not wake up [never awaken, remain asleep],” declares the King [the supreme Ruler, Sovereign], whose name is the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces]. word study 58 This is what the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people or things] says: “Babylon’s [Babel, a city and empire of confusion] thick [broad, wide] walls will be leveled [utterly broken, made bare], and her high [elevated, powerful] gates consumed [burned, kindled] by fire [burning, flame]. So the labor [toil, exhausting work] of the people will be for nothing [in vain, empty]; the nations [peoples, communities] will exhaust themselves [be weary, faint] to fuel [add to, increase] the flames [fire, burning].” word study 59 This is the message [word or thing, a matter or affair] that Jeremiah [whom Jehovah has appointed, a major prophet] the prophet [someone who speaks for God, a spokesperson] gave to the quartermaster [chief chamberlain, a high-ranking official] Seraiah [Jehovah is ruler] son of Neriah [an Israelite, father of Baruch and Seraiah], the son of Mahseiah [an Israelite man who lived during the time of the divided kingdom], when he went [to walk or go, to move from one place to another] to Babylon [a city and empire, meaning confusion or mixing] with King [a royal person, a ruler] Zedekiah [Jehovah is righteous, the last king of Judah] of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob] in the fourth year of Zedekiah’s [Jehovah is righteous] reign [to advise or counsel, to rule as a king]. word study 60 Jeremiah [the prophet, whom Jehovah has appointed] had written [inscribed, recorded] on a single [one, united] scroll [book, written document] about all [everything, the entirety] the disaster [evil, calamity] that would come [approach, arrive] upon Babylon [the city of confusion, Babel]—all these words [things, matters] that had been written [recorded, inscribed] concerning [regarding, about] Babylon [the empire, the city of mixing]. word study 61 And Jeremiah [the prophet, whom Jehovah has appointed] said to Seraiah [Jehovah is ruler], “When you get [come, arrive] to Babylon [confusion, mixing], see that you read [call out, proclaim] all [everything, every word] these words [matters, affairs] aloud [clearly, for all to hear], word study 62 and say, ‘O [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] LORD, You have promised [spoken, declared] to cut off [destroy, eliminate] this place [location, region] so that no one will remain [dwell, inhabit]—neither man [mankind, humanity] nor beast [animal, creature]. Indeed, it will be [exist as] desolate [wasted, devastated] forever [for all eternity, perpetually].’ word study 63 When you finish [come to an end, complete] reading this scroll [book, written document], tie [bind, conspire] a stone [rock, weight] to it and cast [throw, hurl] it into [toward, into the midst of] the Euphrates [the largest river in western Asia]. word study 64 Then you are to say, ‘In the same way [thus, in this manner] Babylon [Babel, a city of confusion] will sink [be overwhelmed, go down] and never rise again [not stand up, be utterly destroyed], because of the disaster [evil, calamity] I will bring upon her [cause to come, send]. And her people will grow weary [be faint, exhausted, tired].’” Here end [thus far, come to a close] the words [chronicles, sayings] of Jeremiah [whom Jehovah has appointed]. word study