Jeremiah Chapter 50 · Verse 28
The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.
Original Language Analysis
נָסִ֛ים
of them that flee
H5127
נָסִ֛ים
of them that flee
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
2 of 13
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
בָּבֶ֑ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֑ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
5 of 13
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
לְהַגִּ֣יד
to declare
H5046
לְהַגִּ֣יד
to declare
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
בְּצִיּ֗וֹן
in Zion
H6726
בְּצִיּ֗וֹן
in Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
7 of 13
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 13
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Isaiah 48:20Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.Jeremiah 50:15Shout 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.Lamentations 1:10The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.Daniel 5:23But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
Historical Context
In 538 BC, Cyrus issued his famous decree allowing Jews to return and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). The first wave returned under Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest (Ezra 2), carrying temple vessels Nebuchadnezzar had plundered (Ezra 1:7-11). Their return occurred precisely as Jeremiah prophesied—seventy years after the first deportation (Jeremiah 29:10). The returning exiles indeed 'declared in Zion' God's vengeance on Babylon, celebrating both Babylon's fall and God's faithfulness to restore His temple and people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'vengeance for His temple' demonstrate His jealousy for His own glory and holiness?
- What does the return of the exiles teach about God's faithfulness to restore what enemies have destroyed?
- How should believers today respond when God's name, people, or purposes are attacked or desecrated?
Analysis & Commentary
The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon—Jewish exiles who survive Babylon's fall return to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God. This connects directly to Cyrus's decree allowing Jewish return (Ezra 1:1-4). The returning exiles bear witness that Babylon's fall demonstrates God's righteous judgment.
The vengeance of his temple—nikmat hekalo (נִקְמַת הֵיכָלוֹ, vengeance for His sanctuary). Nebuchadnezzar burned Solomon's temple in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:9), desecrated its vessels in Belshazzar's feast (Daniel 5:2-3), and exalted Babylonian gods over Yahweh. God's 'vengeance' is not petty retaliation but righteous retribution for specific offenses against His holy dwelling and honor. Babylon's fall vindicates God's name and permits temple rebuilding (completed 515 BC).