Jeremiah 50:36
A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.
Original Language Analysis
חֶ֥רֶב
A sword
H2719
חֶ֥רֶב
A sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
1 of 8
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְנֹאָ֑לוּ
and they shall dote
H2973
וְנֹאָ֑לוּ
and they shall dote
Strong's:
H2973
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, to be slack, i.e., (figuratively) to be foolish
חֶ֥רֶב
A sword
H2719
חֶ֥רֶב
A sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
5 of 8
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
Jeremiah 49:22Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.Isaiah 44:25That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;Nahum 3:13Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.
Historical Context
Babylonian religion was elaborate and influential, featuring priests (kalū), exorcists (āšipu), diviners (bārû), and astrologers. Daniel's superiority to these practitioners (Daniel 2:27-28, 5:15-17) demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy. When Babylon fell, its religious establishment's predictions of eternal dominance were exposed as lies.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture classify divination, astrology, and false prophecy as 'lies' rather than merely errors?
- What does the collapse of Babylon's 'wise men' teach about counterfeit spirituality's inability to deliver security?
- How do modern forms of divination (horoscopes, fortune-telling, even some 'prophecy') replicate Babylon's spiritual adultery?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A sword is upon the liars (חֶרֶב אֶל־הַבַּדִּים, cherev el-habbaddim)—The baddim were diviners, false prophets, practitioners of Babylonian occult arts (Isaiah 44:25). Babylon's religious system depended on omens, astrology, dream interpretation—all condemned as lies by Scripture. And they shall dote (וְנֹאָלוּ, v'no'alu)—they will become foolish, lose their minds. Their vaunted predictive powers will fail spectacularly.
A sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed (חֶרֶב אֶל־גִּבּוֹרֶיהָ וָחָתּוּ, cherev el-gibboreha v'chattu)—Babylon's elite warriors (gibborim) will be shattered with terror (chatat). Military might and occult manipulation—Babylon's twin pillars—both crumble. This exposes the futility of trusting in human strength or demonic deception. Only God's word endures; all other foundations are sand.