Jeremiah 50:14
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
עִרְכ֨וּ
Put yourselves in array
H6186
עִרְכ֨וּ
Put yourselves in array
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
1 of 16
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָּבֶ֤ל׀
against Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֤ל׀
against Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
3 of 16
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
סָבִיב֙
round about
H5439
סָבִיב֙
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
4 of 16
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דֹּ֣רְכֵי
all ye that bend
H1869
דֹּ֣רְכֵי
all ye that bend
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
6 of 16
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
קֶ֔שֶׁת
the bow
H7198
קֶ֔שֶׁת
the bow
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
7 of 16
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
יְד֣וּ
shoot
H3034
יְד֣וּ
shoot
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
8 of 16
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
אַֽל
H408
אַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
10 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
חֵ֑ץ
no arrows
H2671
חֵ֑ץ
no arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Jeremiah 50:29Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.Habakkuk 2:17For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.Jeremiah 50:42They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.Jeremiah 50:9For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.Jeremiah 50:7All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.Habakkuk 2:8Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
Historical Context
The Medo-Persian army under Cyrus besieged Babylon in 539 BC. Herodotus and the Cyrus Cylinder describe the conquest. Persian archery was legendary—their arrow volleys were so dense they 'darkened the sun' according to Greek historians. Yet the conquest was achieved not only by military might but by diverting the Euphrates River to enter under the walls. Daniel 5 records that Babylon fell during Belshazzar's feast—they were confident in their defenses, but God had decreed their time was finished.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's command to 'spare no arrows' against Babylon demonstrate that He takes sin seriously, especially oppression of His people?
- What does it mean that even pagan nations who don't know God's covenant can still 'sin against the LORD' and face judgment?
- How should the certainty of God's judgment on oppressive powers comfort those who currently suffer under injustice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about—God commands the Medo-Persian coalition to arrange for battle, surrounding the city. Arak (עָרַךְ, put in array) is military terminology for organizing troops strategically. The divine commander orders the siege that will bring His judgment.
All ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD—the archers (likely referring to the famed Persian bowmen) are commanded to unlimited assault. 'Spare no arrows' emphasizes total warfare, holding nothing back. The justification is theological: she hath sinned against the LORD. The Hebrew chata (חָטָא, sinned) means to miss the mark, to transgress covenant or moral law. Though Babylon never knew Yahweh's covenant, they sinned against His moral order and against His people. God holds all nations accountable to His righteousness (Amos 1-2). This demonstrates that divine judgment falls not only on covenant-breakers but on all who violate God's justice and oppress His people.