Jeremiah Chapter 50 · Verse 24
I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
יָקֹ֨שְׁתִּי
I have laid a snare
H3369
יָקֹ֨שְׁתִּי
I have laid a snare
Strong's:
H3369
Word #:
1 of 14
to ensnare (literally or figuratively)
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נִלְכַּדְתְּ֙
for thee and thou art also taken
H3920
נִלְכַּדְתְּ֙
for thee and thou art also taken
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
4 of 14
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
בָּבֶ֔ל
O Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
O Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
5 of 14
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדָ֑עַתְּ
and thou wast not aware
H3045
יָדָ֑עַתְּ
and thou wast not aware
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 14
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
נִמְצֵאת֙
thou art found
H4672
נִמְצֵאת֙
thou art found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נִתְפַּ֔שְׂתְּ
and also caught
H8610
נִתְפַּ֔שְׂתְּ
and also caught
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
11 of 14
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Historical Context
Cyrus's conquest fulfilled this prophecy precisely. According to Herodotus and the Nabonidus Chronicle, the Persians diverted the Euphrates River and entered Babylon through the riverbed gates—a 'snare' the Babylonians never anticipated. The city fell without prolonged siege in 539 BC. Belshazzar's feast (Daniel 5) occurred the very night of conquest—feasting unaware while judgment approached. This unexpected defeat of history's greatest empire demonstrated God's sovereign control over nations.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'strive against the LORD,' and how might nations or individuals do this today?
- How does Babylon's unawareness of God's trap warn against presumption and false security?
- What does this verse teach about God's sovereignty over even the most powerful human institutions?
Analysis & Commentary
I have laid a snare for thee—God Himself sets the trap (yaqosh, יָקֹשׁ, to ensnare, lay a trap). And thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware—the hunter becomes the hunted. The Hebrew lakad (לָכַד, captured, seized) emphasizes sudden, inescapable capture. Babylon's fall came swiftly; Cyrus conquered the city in one night while Belshazzar feasted (Daniel 5:30-31).
Because thou hast striven against the LORD—the Hebrew garah (גָּרָה, to provoke, challenge, contend) indicates deliberate opposition. Babylon didn't merely conquer nations; it challenged Yahweh's authority, desecrated His temple (2 Kings 25:9), mocked His people, and exalted its own gods (Daniel 3:14-15). This verse echoes the principle that opposing God inevitably leads to destruction. No nation, however powerful, can successfully contend with the Almighty.