Jeremiah 50:15
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.
Original Language Analysis
הָרִ֨יעוּ
Shout
H7321
הָרִ֨יעוּ
Shout
Strong's:
H7321
Word #:
1 of 19
to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)
עָלֶ֤יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֤יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סָבִיב֙
against her round about
H5439
סָבִיב֙
against her round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
3 of 19
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
נָתְנָ֣ה
she hath given
H5414
נָתְנָ֣ה
she hath given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יָדָ֔הּ
her hand
H3027
יָדָ֔הּ
her hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
5 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נָֽפְלוּ֙
are fallen
H5307
נָֽפְלוּ֙
are fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 19
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
נֶהֶרְס֖וּ
are thrown down
H2040
נֶהֶרְס֖וּ
are thrown down
Strong's:
H2040
Word #:
8 of 19
to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִקְמַ֨ת
for it is the vengeance
H5360
נִקְמַ֨ת
for it is the vengeance
Strong's:
H5360
Word #:
11 of 19
avengement, whether the act of the passion
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הִיא֙
H1931
הִיא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
13 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עֲשׂוּ
do
H6213
עֲשׂוּ
do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
17 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:58Thus 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.Revelation 18:6Reward 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 46:10For 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.Jeremiah 51:6Flee 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 51:44And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.Jeremiah 51:11Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.Jeremiah 51:14The 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.1 Chronicles 29:24And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.Lamentations 5:6We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.2 Chronicles 30:8Now 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.
Historical Context
The conquest of Babylon was surprisingly swift. Daniel 5 describes the city falling in a single night. Archaeological evidence confirms Cyrus's army entered the city with minimal resistance—some sources suggest internal betrayal or that the city's defenses were compromised by diverting the Euphrates. The 'foundations fallen' may refer both to physical walls and to the empire's collapse. Within one generation, Babylon went from world-dominating empire to a Persian province, exactly fulfilling this prophecy of reciprocal judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle 'as she hath done, do unto her' demonstrate God's justice in ensuring oppressors face consequences proportional to their crimes?
- What does it mean that God identifies this as 'the vengeance of the LORD' rather than merely human warfare?
- How should we understand divine vengeance in light of New Testament teaching to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand—the war cry signals victory. 'Given her hand' (nathan yad, נָתַן יָד) is an idiom for surrender, submission, making covenant. Babylon capitulates, the siege succeeds. Her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down—the massive defensive walls that seemed impregnable are breached. Herodotus described these walls as so wide that chariot races were held atop them. Yet they fall before God's decree.
For it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her—God identifies Himself as the agent: this is the vengeance of the LORD (niqmath Yahweh, נִקְמַת יְהוָה). Naqam (נָקַם) means to avenge, to execute justice, to repay. The principle of reciprocal justice follows: 'as she hath done, do unto her' (ka'asher asethah asu lah, כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשְׂתָה עֲשׂוּ־לָהּ). This is lex talionis (law of retaliation) applied to nations—measure for measure. Babylon showed no mercy to conquered peoples; now mercy will not be shown to her. This foreshadows Revelation 18:6: 'Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works.'