Jeremiah 50:37
A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.
Original Language Analysis
חֶ֥רֶב
A sword
H2719
חֶ֥רֶב
A sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
1 of 16
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
רִכְבּ֗וֹ
and upon their chariots
H7393
רִכְבּ֗וֹ
and upon their chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
5 of 16
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעֶ֛רֶב
H6154
הָעֶ֛רֶב
Strong's:
H6154
Word #:
8 of 16
the web (or transverse threads of cloth); also a mixture, (or mongrel race)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּתוֹכָ֖הּ
that are in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכָ֖הּ
that are in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
10 of 16
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
וְהָי֣וּ
H1961
וְהָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
חֶ֥רֶב
A sword
H2719
חֶ֥רֶב
A sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
13 of 16
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:30The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.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.Jeremiah 48:41Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.Jeremiah 51:21And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;Jeremiah 25:20And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,Isaiah 19:16In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.
Historical Context
Babylon's wealth was proverbial (Daniel 4:30). The Hanging Gardens, Ishtar Gate, and royal treasuries testified to accumulated riches. Yet Cyrus's conquest transferred this wealth to Persia. Later, Alexander the Great seized Babylon's treasures, then successive empires plundered what remained. The 'robbed' prophecy saw extended fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the neutralization of Babylon's military technology teach about trusting in human innovation for security?
- How does the plundering of Babylon's treasures demonstrate God's concern for economic justice and restitution?
- In what ways do modern nations/individuals trust in accumulated wealth as security, and how might God address such trust?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots (חֶרֶב אֶל־סוּסָיו וְאֶל־רִכְבּוֹ, cherev el-susav v'el-rikhbo)—Babylon's famed cavalry and chariotry face the sword. Military technology that conquered nations will fail. And upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her (עֶרֶב, erev)—the 'mixed' population: mercenaries, foreign merchants, enslaved peoples. Babylon's cosmopolitan diversity becomes liability; no ally can save her. And they shall become as women—not misogyny but metaphor for helplessness in warfare (see 48:41, 49:22, 51:30).
A sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed (חֶרֶב אֶל־אוֹצְרֹתֶיהָ וּבֻזָּזוּ, cherev el-otsroteha uvuzzazu)—Babylon's legendary wealth (plundered from nations, tribute from vassals) will be looted. The verb bazaz (plunder) appears—what Babylon took will be taken. Perfect poetic justice: the archetypal oppressor becomes victim. This proves no human accumulation of wealth, weaponry, or alliances can withstand God's decree.