Jeremiah 50:2
Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
Original Language Analysis
הַגִּ֨ידוּ
Declare
H5046
הַגִּ֨ידוּ
Declare
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
בַגּוֹיִ֤ם
ye among the nations
H1471
בַגּוֹיִ֤ם
ye among the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 19
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
הַשְׁמִ֖יעוּ
and publish
H8085
הַשְׁמִ֖יעוּ
and publish
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וּֽשְׂאוּ
and set up
H5375
וּֽשְׂאוּ
and set up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
נֵ֔ס
a standard
H5251
נֵ֔ס
a standard
Strong's:
H5251
Word #:
5 of 19
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
הַשְׁמִ֖יעוּ
and publish
H8085
הַשְׁמִ֖יעוּ
and publish
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
6 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 19
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּכַחֵ֑דוּ
and conceal
H3582
תְּכַחֵ֑דוּ
and conceal
Strong's:
H3582
Word #:
8 of 19
to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy
נִלְכְּדָ֨ה
is taken
H3920
נִלְכְּדָ֨ה
is taken
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
10 of 19
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
בָבֶ֜ל
Babylon
H894
בָבֶ֜ל
Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
11 of 19
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
הֹבִ֣ישׁוּ
are confounded
H3001
הֹבִ֣ישׁוּ
are confounded
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
12 of 19
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
חַ֖תּוּ
are broken in pieces
H2865
חַ֖תּוּ
are broken in pieces
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
הֹבִ֣ישׁוּ
are confounded
H3001
הֹבִ֣ישׁוּ
are confounded
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
16 of 19
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
Cross References
Isaiah 46:1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.Isaiah 21:9And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.Jeremiah 51:47Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.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.
Historical Context
This prophecy came while Babylon was at its zenith of power. Speaking of its fall seemed impossible, yet God decreed it. Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, fulfilling this word.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's judgment on Babylon (His own instrument) display His justice?
- What modern 'Babylons' trust in idols that will ultimately fall?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God commands the proclamation of Babylon's fall throughout the earth. Babylon, instrument of God's judgment on other nations, now faces judgment itself. The specific mention of Bel and Merodach (chief Babylonian deities) emphasizes the futility of idol worship. When Babylon falls, her gods fall with her - exposing their powerlessness. Only YAHWEH stands eternally; all false gods are 'confounded' and 'broken in pieces.'