Jeremiah 50:45
Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
שִׁמְע֣וּ
Therefore hear
H8085
שִׁמְע֣וּ
Therefore hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָעַץ֙
that he hath taken
H3289
יָעַץ֙
that he hath taken
Strong's:
H3289
Word #:
6 of 24
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
בָּבֶ֔ל
against Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
against Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
8 of 24
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וּמַ֨חְשְׁבוֹתָ֔יו
and his purposes
H4284
וּמַ֨חְשְׁבוֹתָ֔יו
and his purposes
Strong's:
H4284
Word #:
9 of 24
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חָשַׁ֖ב
that he hath purposed
H2803
חָשַׁ֖ב
that he hath purposed
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים
of the Chaldeans
H3778
כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים
of the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
14 of 24
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
15 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
צְעִירֵ֣י
Surely the least
H6810
צְעִירֵ֣י
Surely the least
Strong's:
H6810
Word #:
18 of 24
little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble
הַצֹּ֔אן
of the flock
H6629
הַצֹּ֔אן
of the flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
19 of 24
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
20 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַשִּׁ֛ים
desolate
H8074
יַשִּׁ֛ים
desolate
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
22 of 24
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
Historical Context
Cyrus's conquest was relatively easy—Babylon fell without prolonged siege. The 'weakest' troops sufficed because God had decreed Babylon's end. The Nabonidus Chronicle confirms Babylon surrendered without major battle. God's 'counsel' trumps human military calculus.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the repetition of prophetic oracles across different nations teach about universal moral law?
- How does the 'weakest of the flock' language deconstruct human pride in military strength?
- In what ways do God's 'counsels' and 'purposes' differ from human planning and strategy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon (לָכֵן שִׁמְעוּ עֲצַת יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר יָעַץ אֶל־בָּבֶל, lakhen shim'u atzat YHWH asher ya'ats el-Bavel)—Repeats 49:20 with Babylon substituted for Edom. The divine atzah (counsel) against Babylon is irrevocable. And his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans (מַחְשְׁבוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר חָשַׁב אֶל־אֶרֶץ כַּשְׂדִּים, machsh'votav asher chashav el-erets Kasdim)—God's 'thoughts/plans' are effective decrees, not tentative ideas.
Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out (אִם־לֹא יִסְחָבוּם צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן, im-lo yischabum tse'irei hatson)—Even the weakest soldiers will drag away Babylon's mighty. This humiliating reversal emphasizes God's power: He needs no elite troops to topple superpowers. Surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them—Babylon's dwelling places become ruins. The repetition from chapter 49 demonstrates the universality of God's judicial principles: the same laws govern all nations. Pride brings downfall; oppression invites judgment; idolatry ensures destruction.