Jeremiah 51:38
Jeremiah 51:38 in Multiple Translations
They will roar together like young lions; they will growl like lion cubs.
They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps.
They shall roar together like young lions; they shall growl as lions’ whelps.
They will be crying out together like lions, their voices will be like the voices of young lions.
The Babylonians will roar together like powerful lions and growl like lion cubs.
They shall rore together like lions, and yell as the lyons whelpes.
Together as young lions they roar, They have shaken themselves as lions' whelps.
They will roar together like young lions. They will growl as lions’ cubs.
They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps.
They shall roar together like lions, they shall shake their manes like young lions.
The people of Babylon will all roar like young lions; they will growl like baby lions.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 51:38
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 51:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יַחְדָּ֖ו
כַּ/כְּפִרִ֣ים
יִשְׁאָ֑גוּ
נָעֲר֖וּ
כְּ/גוֹרֵ֥י
אֲרָיֽוֹת
יַחְדָּ֖ו
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
כַּ/כְּפִרִ֣ים
kᵉphîyr
H3715
lion
Prep | N-mp
יִשְׁאָ֑גוּ
shâʼag
H7580
to roar
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
נָעֲר֖וּ
nâʻar
H5286
to growl
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
כְּ/גוֹרֵ֥י
gôwr
H1484
whelp
Prep | N-mp
אֲרָיֽוֹת
ʼărîy
H738
lion
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 51:38
יַחְדָּ֖ו
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
כַּ/כְּפִרִ֣ים
kᵉphîyr
H3715
"lion"
Prep | N-mp
This word can mean either a village or a young lion. It is used in the Bible to describe a place or an animal, like a lion with a mane. The KJV translates it as lion or village.
Definition: young lion
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, village. Compare H3723 (כָּפָר). See also: Judges 14:5; Jeremiah 2:15; Psalms 17:12.
יִשְׁאָ֑גוּ
shâʼag
H7580
"to roar"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to roar, like a lion or a conqueror, and is also used to describe God's powerful voice. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of intense power or distress. In Psalm 104:21, it describes the roar of a lion.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to roar 1a) of lion, conqueror, Jehovah, cry of distress
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] mightily, roar. See also: Judges 14:5; Jeremiah 25:30; Psalms 22:14.
נָעֲר֖וּ
nâʻar
H5286
"to growl"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to growl, like an animal showing anger or frustration. It is used in a few places in the Old Testament to describe a strong emotional response. In the book of Job, it describes a person's reaction to suffering.
Definition: (Qal) to growl
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: yell. See also: Jeremiah 51:38.
כְּ/גוֹרֵ֥י
gôwr
H1484
"whelp"
Prep | N-mp
This word refers to a lion cub, emphasizing its youth and inexperience. It is often used to describe the early stages of life, like a young lion still learning to survive. The Bible uses this word to convey vulnerability and dependence.
Definition: whelp
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: whelp. See also: Jeremiah 51:38; Nahum 2:13.
אֲרָיֽוֹת
ʼărîy
H738
"lion"
N-mp
In biblical times, a lion was a symbol of strength and power, and is often mentioned in stories like Daniel in the lions' den. The word for lion appears in various forms, including pictures or images of lions, and is used in books like 1 Kings and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) lion 1a) pictures or images of lions
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). See also: Genesis 49:9; Proverbs 22:13; Psalms 7:3.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 51:38
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 51:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:38
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:38
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:38
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:38
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:38
- Sermons on Jeremiah 51:38
Context — Babylon’s Punishment
36Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.
37Babylon will become a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals, an object of horror and scorn, without inhabitant.
38They will roar together like young lions; they will growl like lion cubs.
39While they are flushed with heat, I will serve them a feast, and I will make them drunk so that they may revel; then they will fall asleep forever and never wake up, declares the LORD. 40I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 2:15 | The young lions have roared at him; they have growled with a loud voice. They have laid waste his land; his cities lie in ruins, without inhabitant. |
| 2 | Psalms 58:6 | O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions. |
| 3 | Judges 16:20 | Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. |
| 4 | Nahum 2:11–13 | Where is the lions’ lair or the feeding ground of the young lions, where the lion and lioness prowled with their cubs, with nothing to frighten them away? The lion mauled enough for its cubs and strangled prey for the lioness. It filled its dens with the kill, and its lairs with mauled prey. “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will send your chariots up in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voices of your messengers will no longer be heard.” |
| 5 | Psalms 34:10 | Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. |
| 6 | Zechariah 11:3 | Listen to the wailing of the shepherds, for their glory is in ruins. Listen to the roaring of the young lions, for the thickets of the Jordan are destroyed. |
| 7 | Job 4:10–11 | The lion may roar, and the fierce lion may growl, yet the teeth of the young lions are broken. The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. |
| 8 | Isaiah 35:9 | No lion will be there, and no vicious beast will go up on it. Such will not be found there, but the redeemed will walk upon it. |
Jeremiah 51:38 Summary
Jeremiah 51:38 is a powerful verse that describes the enemies of Babylon as fierce and powerful lions and lion cubs, roaring and growling together. This image signifies the intensity and ferocity of the enemies of God's people, but also reminds us that God is a God of justice and righteousness who will not tolerate wickedness and evil (as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4). In the face of adversity and persecution, we can take comfort in the promise of God's judgment on those who oppose Him, and stand firm against them with boldness and courage (as seen in Ephesians 6:10-18 and Romans 8:28). By trusting in God's power and justice, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges and emerge victorious, just like the people of God in Jeremiah 51:38.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the image of lions and lion cubs roaring and growling signify in Jeremiah 51:38?
The image signifies the fierce and powerful cries of the enemies of Babylon as they prepare for battle, much like the fierce warriors described in Joel 3:9-11 and Ezekiel 38:15.
Is the use of lions and lion cubs in Jeremiah 51:38 meant to be taken literally?
The use of lions and lion cubs is likely a metaphorical expression to convey the intensity and ferocity of the enemies of Babylon, as seen in other biblical passages such as Isaiah 5:29 and Hosea 11:10.
How does Jeremiah 51:38 fit into the larger context of God's judgment on Babylon?
Jeremiah 51:38 is part of a larger section of scripture that describes God's judgment on Babylon, as seen in Jeremiah 51:36-40, where God promises to dry up Babylon's sea and springs, and to bring her enemies against her like lambs to the slaughter.
What can we learn about God's character from Jeremiah 51:38?
From Jeremiah 51:38, we can learn that God is a God of justice and righteousness, who will not tolerate wickedness and evil, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 119:137-138.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of roaring lions and growling lion cubs evoke in your heart and mind, and how can you apply this to your own life and spiritual journey?
- In what ways do you see the enemies of God's people 'roaring and growling' in the world today, and how can you stand firm against them, as seen in Ephesians 6:10-18?
- How does the promise of God's judgment on Babylon in Jeremiah 51:38 give you hope and comfort in the face of adversity and persecution, as seen in Romans 8:28 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7?
- What can you learn from the example of the lions and lion cubs in Jeremiah 51:38 about the importance of boldness and courage in standing up for what is right, as seen in Proverbs 28:1 and Acts 4:29-31?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:38
They shall roar together like lions,.... Some understand this of the Medes and Persians, and the shouts they made at the attacking and taking of Babylon; but this does not so well agree with that,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:38
They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps. 39. They shall roar ... they shall yell. The capture of Babylon was effected on the night of a festival in honour of its idols.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:38
It is uncertain whether this be to be understood of the Medes, making horrible roarings and noises when they took Babylon; or of the Babylonians, who upon the taking of their city (as is usual) made horrid outcries, as being a people quite undone: some think it referreth to the drunken noises of the Babylonians at their festival, during the celebration of which we are told their city was taken; but to this one would think the comparison of lions’ whelps (which ordinarily yell for want of victuals, or for some mischief done them, not when their bellies are full) should not so well agree.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:38
Jeremiah 51:38 They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps.Ver. 38. They shall roar together like lions.] When hunger bitten. The Babylonians terrified, and the Persians tumultuating together. The old Latin version hath it, They shake their shaggy hair.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:38
(38) They shall roar together like lions . . .—The words are not a continuation of the picture of the preceding verse, but carry us to the scene of revelry that preceded the capture of the city. The princes of Babylon were as “young lions” (Amos 3:4) roaring over their prey. The first clause as well as the second conveys this meaning, and there is probably a reference to the youth of rulers like Belshazzar.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:38
Yell - Or, growl.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:38
PICTURE OF BABYLON’S RUIN, Jeremiah 51:38-49.38, 39. They… roar — Not shall roar. The scene is that of a carousal, in the midst of which the blow falls.
Sermons on Jeremiah 51:38
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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With or Without God by Matthew Little | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the devotion and departure of Israel. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a genuine and passionate relationship with God, rather tha |
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Grieving the Holy Spirit by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the experience of feeling distant from God and lacking spiritual understanding, comfort, and power. He emphasizes the need for individuals and |
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Prison Houses by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful story of a man named Bob who was tormented by a demonic spirit for four years. The preacher and Bob took authority over the demons in |
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A Silent Church Amidst a Sinful Nation by E.A. Johnston | In this sermon, the speaker highlights the current state of the Christian Church, describing it as helpless and facing powers of darkness. He emphasizes that the Church has substit |
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Where Is Your Strength by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher talks about a man who was a menace to his enemies. His enemies tried to find his secret and eventually captured him. They bound him, blinded him, and m |
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Sovereignty and Salvation by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the simplicity and universality of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He highlights the power of a simple act of looking to Jesus for |
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Beth Shemesh: Beware of Lust by John Barnett | This sermon delves into the tragic story of Samson from Judges 16, highlighting how he lost everything due to being dominated by lust and a vengeful spirit. Samson's life serves as |