Jeremiah 51:39

Jeremiah 51:39 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

While 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.

King James Version KJV

In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.

American Standard Version ASV

When they are heated, I will make their feast, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English BBE

When they are heated, I will make a feast for them, and overcome them with wine, so that they may become unconscious, sleeping an eternal sleep without awaking, says the Lord.

Free Bible Version FBV

But while their passions are aroused, I will serve them a banquet and get them drunk. They'll celebrate so much that they'll pass out and won't ever wake up, declares the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

In their heate I will make them feastes, and I wil make them drunken, that they may reioyce, and sleepe a perpetual sleepe, and not wake, sayth the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

In their heat I make their banquets, And I have caused them to drink, so that they exult, And have slept a sleep age-during, And awake not — an affirmation of Jehovah.

World English Bible WEB

When they are inflamed, I will make their feast, and I will make them drunk, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake up,” says the LORD.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

In their heat I will set them drink: and I will make them drunk, that they may slumber, and sleep an everlasting sleep, and awake no more, saith the Lord.

Translation for Translators T4T

But while they are extremely hungry, I will prepare a different kind of feast for them. It is as though I will cause them to drink wine until they are very drunk, with the result that they will fall asleep. But they will never wake up from that sleep!

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 51:39

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 51:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB בְּ/חֻמָּ֞/ם אָשִׁ֣ית אֶת מִשְׁתֵּי/הֶ֗ם וְ/הִשְׁכַּרְתִּי/ם֙ לְמַ֣עַן יַעֲלֹ֔זוּ וְ/יָשְׁנ֥וּ שְׁנַת עוֹלָ֖ם וְ/לֹ֣א יָקִ֑יצוּ נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָֽה

בְּ/חֻמָּ֞/ם chôm H2527 heat Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff

אָשִׁ֣ית shîyth H7896 to set V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

מִשְׁתֵּי/הֶ֗ם mishteh H4960 feast N-ms | Suff

וְ/הִשְׁכַּרְתִּי/ם֙ shâkar H7937 be drunk Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs | Suff

לְמַ֣עַן maʻan H4616 because Prep

יַעֲלֹ֔זוּ ʻâlaz H5937 to exult V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

וְ/יָשְׁנ֥וּ yâshên H3462 to sleep Conj | V-Qal-3cp

שְׁנַת shênâh H8142 sleep N-fs

עוֹלָ֖ם ʻôwlâm H5769 forever N-ms

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

יָקִ֑יצוּ qûwts H6974 to awake V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp

נְאֻ֖ם nᵉʼum H5002 utterance N-ms

יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 51:39

בְּ/חֻמָּ֞/ם chôm H2527 "heat" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff

This Hebrew word means heat or being hot, used to describe warm temperatures or climates. It appears in Genesis 8:13 and is related to the idea of warmth. The concept of heat is important in biblical descriptions of the environment.

Definition: heat, hot

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: heat, to be hot (warm). See also: Genesis 8:22; Nehemiah 7:3; Isaiah 18:4.

אָשִׁ֣ית shîyth H7896 "to set" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs

This Hebrew word means to place or set something, and it's used in many different ways, like appointing someone to a job or setting your mind to do something. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to lay hands on someone or make something happen.

Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, lay (hand upon) 1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to 1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform 1a4) to take one's stand 1a5) to lay waste 1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon

Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take. See also: Genesis 3:15; Psalms 21:7; Psalms 3:7.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

מִשְׁתֵּי/הֶ֗ם mishteh H4960 "feast" N-ms | Suff

A mishteh is a feast or banquet, often involving drinking and celebration, like the ones described in Esther and other biblical stories.

Definition: 1) feast, drink, banquet 1a) feast, banquet 1b) drink Aramaic equivalent: mish.teh (מִשְׁתֶּה "feast" H4961)

Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: banquet, drank, drink, feast((-ed), -ing). See also: Genesis 19:3; Esther 5:14; Proverbs 15:15.

וְ/הִשְׁכַּרְתִּי/ם֙ shâkar H7937 "be drunk" Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs | Suff

To become drunk or intoxicated, as warned against in Proverbs 23:20. This word describes the state of being under the influence. It is used in various forms, including making someone drunk or being merry.

Definition: 1) to be or become drunk or drunken, be intoxicated 1a) (Qal) to become drunken 1b)(Piel) to make drunken, cause to be drunk 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to be drunk 1d) (Hithpael) to make oneself drunk

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: (be filled with) drink (abundantly), (be, make) drunk(-en), be merry. (Superlative of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; Isaiah 63:6; Isaiah 29:9.

לְמַ֣עַן maʻan H4616 "because" Prep

This Hebrew word means because of something or for a specific purpose. It is used to explain why something happens or is done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's intentions or purposes.

Definition: 1) purpose, intent prep 1a) for the sake of 1b) in view of, on account of 1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj 1d) to the end that

Usage: Occurs in 252 OT verses. KJV: because of, to the end (intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), [phrase] lest, that, to. See also: Genesis 12:13; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalms 5:9.

יַעֲלֹ֔זוּ ʻâlaz H5937 "to exult" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

To exult means to jump for joy or rejoice triumphantly. It is used in the Bible to describe feelings of great happiness or celebration, like in Psalm 108:7 where it says God will exult over his people.

Definition: (Qal) to exult, rejoice, triumph

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: be joyful, rejoice, triumph. See also: 2 Samuel 1:20; Proverbs 23:16; Psalms 28:7.

וְ/יָשְׁנ֥וּ yâshên H3462 "to sleep" Conj | V-Qal-3cp

Means to sleep or be lazy, it also implies growing old or stale, as seen in the story of David's mighty warriors in 2 Samuel 23:32. It can also mean to die or be in a deep sleep. This word is used to describe a state of inactivity.

Definition: 1) to sleep, be asleep 1a) (Qal) to sleep, go to sleep, be asleep 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to remain a long time, be stored up 1b2) to be festering (of leprosy) 1c) (Piel) to cause to sleep, entice to sleep

Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: old (store), remain long, (make to) sleep. See also: Genesis 2:21; Psalms 4:9; Psalms 3:6.

שְׁנַת shênâh H8142 "sleep" N-fs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to sleep or be asleep, like when God put Adam to sleep in Genesis 2:21. It is also used to describe a state of unconsciousness. This word is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: sleep Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "sleep" H8139)

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: sleep. See also: Genesis 28:16; Proverbs 6:4; Psalms 76:6.

עוֹלָ֖ם ʻôwlâm H5769 "forever" N-ms

This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.

Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.

וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

יָקִ֑יצוּ qûwts H6974 "to awake" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp

In the Bible, this word means to wake up or be awake, like when God told Samuel to arise and anoint a new king in 1 Samuel 16:3. It can also mean to be watchful, as in Psalm 102:7.

Definition: 1) to awake, wake up 1a) (Hiphil) to awaken, arouse, show signs of waking, awake

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: arise, (be) (a-) wake, watch. See also: 1 Samuel 26:12; Proverbs 23:35; Psalms 3:6.

נְאֻ֖ם nᵉʼum H5002 "utterance" N-ms

This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.

Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)

Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.

יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 51:39

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:39 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:39
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:39
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:39
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:39
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39
Sermons on Jeremiah 51:39

Context — Babylon’s Punishment

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. 41How Sheshach has been captured! The praise of all the earth has been seized. What a horror Babylon has become among the nations!

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 51:57	I will make her princes and wise men drunk, along with her governors, officials, and warriors. Then they will fall asleep forever and not wake up,” declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts.
2	Jeremiah 25:27	“Then you are to tell them that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Drink, get drunk, and vomit. Fall down and never get up again, because of the sword I will send among you.’
3	Nahum 3:11	You too will become drunk; you will go into hiding and seek refuge from the enemy.
4	Nahum 1:10	For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard— like stubble that is fully dry.
5	Isaiah 22:12–14	On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth. But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” The LORD of Hosts has revealed in my hearing: “Until your dying day, this sin of yours will never be atoned for,” says the Lord GOD of Hosts.
6	Psalms 13:3	Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,
7	Jeremiah 48:26	“Make him drunk, because he has magnified himself against the LORD; so Moab will wallow in his own vomit, and he will also become a laughingstock.
8	Psalms 76:5–6	The valiant lie plundered; they sleep their last sleep. No men of might could lift a hand. At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and rider lie stunned.
9	Isaiah 21:4–5	My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror. They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!
10	Daniel 5:30	That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,

Jeremiah 51:39 Summary

[This verse is saying that God will allow the Babylonians to experience the fullness of their sinful desires, but then He will judge them for their rebellion against Him (as seen in Jeremiah 51:39). It's like God is saying, 'If you want to pursue sin and rebellion, then I will let you have it, but you will ultimately face my judgment and punishment' (Romans 6:23). The idea of 'falling asleep forever' is a powerful reminder that our choices have consequences, and that we must seek God's forgiveness and mercy before it's too late (2 Peter 3:9).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be 'flushed with heat' in Jeremiah 51:39?

To be 'flushed with heat' means to be filled with passion, anger, or lust, as seen in other scriptures like Proverbs 14:29, where it talks about the importance of controlling one's temper, and 2 Timothy 3:3, where it warns against being 'without self-control'

Is God being cruel by making them 'drunk' and then destroying them?

No, God is not being cruel; He is simply allowing the Babylonians to experience the fullness of their sin, as seen in Romans 1:24-32, where God gives people over to their sinful desires, and then judges them for their rebellion against Him

What does it mean to 'fall asleep forever' in this verse?

To 'fall asleep forever' means to die and never experience spiritual awakening or revival, similar to what is described in Psalm 76:5-6, where God's judgment is so complete that His enemies are unable to rise again

How does this verse relate to God's character?

This verse shows that God is a God of justice, who will not let sin go unpunished, as seen in Jeremiah 9:24, where God takes pleasure in showing lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, and in Deuteronomy 32:4, where He is described as a God of justice and righteousness

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I am 'flushed with heat' in my own life, and how can I seek God's help to control my passions and desires?
How can I balance God's justice and mercy in my understanding of His character, especially in light of verses like Jeremiah 51:39?
In what ways am I 'drunk' with the things of this world, and how can I seek God's help to become 'sober' and focused on Him?
What does it mean for me to 'fall asleep' spiritually, and how can I stay awake and alert to God's presence in my life?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:39

In their heat I will make their feasts,.... I will order it that their feasts shall be id the time of heat, that so they may be made drunk; so Jarchi: or when they are hot with feasting, I will

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:39

In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39

When they shall grow hot with wine, I will put, or give, or make them a feast of another nature. Interpreters judge that the prophet referreth to the feast made by Belshazzar, , to a thousand of his lords, when he and his wives and concubines drank wine in the vessels belonging to the temple, during which feast the city was taken. So they were made drunk with the wine cup of God’ s fury, because the Lord had designed them to utter ruin and destruction, that as men filled with wine are merry, and shout, and then fall asleep; so the Chaldeans being drunk with the wine of the Lord’ s wrath, while they were merry with their cups of wine, might fall into such a sleep as they should never awake out of.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39

Jeremiah 51:39 In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.Ver. 39. In their heat I will make their feasts.] Or, I will dispose their drinkings - that is, I will pour into their cups the wine of my wrath. Now, poison mixed with wine worketh the more furiously. God can punish one kind of drunkenness with another worse. That they may rejoice.] That they may revel it and sleep their last; and so they did, as being slain in a night of public solemn feasting and great dissoluteness, which was soon turned in moerorem et metum, into heaviness and horror. Ecce, hic compotationum est finis. Behold this is the end of the party. And not wake.] Till awakened by the sound of the last trump. The Chaldee here hath it, They shall die the second death, and not be quickened in the world to come - sc., unto life everlasting.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39

(39) In their heat I will make their feasts . . .—The words are stern and bitter in their irony. When the revellers are hot with wine and lust (comp. Hosea 7:4-7) Jehovah would call them to a banquet of another kind. The wine cup which He would give them would be that of His wrath (Jeremiah 25:16-17), and their drunken joy should end in an eternal sleep. So Herodotus (i. 191) narrates that when Cyrus took the city by his stratagem the inhabitants were keeping a feast with their wonted revelry and license. (Compare Xenoph. Cyropœd. vii. 23.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39

Verse 39. In their heat I will make their feasts] It was on the night of a feast day, while their hearts were heated with wine and revelry, that Babylon was taken; see Daniel 5:1-3. This feast was held in honour of the goddess Sheshach, (or perhaps of Bel,) who is mentioned, Jeremiah 51:41, as being taken with her worshippers. As it was in the night the city was taken, many had retired to rest, and never awoke; slain in their beds, they slept a perpetual sleep.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:39

39. While they are exulting over the spoil which they have won from the conquered nations I will prepare a feast for them, inducing a sleep that shall be endless. When they are heated] referring either to the glow of passionate indulgence, or to murderous ferocity. But Gi. would read When I am hot (with anger). may rejoice] The LXX, reading apparently one consonant differently from MT., render, may be stupefied.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:39

In their heat ... - While, like so many young lions, they are in the full glow of excitement over their prey, God prepares for them a drinking-bout to end in the sleep of death. Compare Daniel 5:1.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:39

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 51:39

	Sermon	Description
	Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon by John F. Walvoord	John F. Walvoord preaches on the downfall of Belshazzar and the fall of Babylon as prophesied in the book of Daniel. The sermon highlights the divine judgment on the wicked world,
	Wine for Gospel wantons... by Thomas Shepard	Thomas Shepard preaches on the consequences of spiritual drunkenness as described in Jeremiah 13:12-15, where God fills the inhabitants of the land with a spirit of drunkenness, le
	The Burden of the Valley of Vision by Chuck Smith	In this video, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the concept of the "Burden of the Valley of Vision" as mentioned in Isaiah 22. He explains that this burden refers to a prophecy of the
	Awake to Righteousness and Sin Not by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the speaker recounts the powerful preaching of Jimmy Stewart, accompanied by William Fetler as his interpreter. They traveled through Eastern Europe, spreading the
	In Time of War by Samuel Davies	Samuel Davies preaches a powerful sermon on the Valley of Vision, using the prophecy in Isaiah to warn about the impending danger faced by Jerusalem due to their sins and lack of r
	The Sin of Pride, Nimrod by Shane Idleman	Shane Idleman emphasizes the destructive nature of pride, identifying it as the root cause of many personal and relational issues, including conflicts in marriages and workplaces.
	The Sin of Self Advancement - Puffed by Pride by Shane Idleman	Shane Idleman addresses the destructive nature of pride in his sermon 'The Sin of Self Advancement - Puffed by Pride,' emphasizing that pride is often the root cause of personal an