Jeremiah 50:46
At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.
Original Language Analysis
נִתְפְּשָׂ֣ה
of the taking
H8610
נִתְפְּשָׂ֣ה
of the taking
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
2 of 8
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
בָבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H894
בָבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
3 of 8
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
נִרְעֲשָׁ֖ה
is moved
H7493
נִרְעֲשָׁ֖ה
is moved
Strong's:
H7493
Word #:
4 of 8
to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)
Cross References
Jeremiah 49:21The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.Ezekiel 31:16I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.Ezekiel 26:18Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure.
Historical Context
Cyrus's conquest of Babylon (539 BC) was epochal: it ended Neo-Babylonian Empire, began Persian Empire, liberated Jewish exiles, and enabled temple rebuilding (Ezra 1:1-4). The 'cry among nations' was literal—vassals from Egypt to India learned of Babylon's fall and adjusted policies accordingly.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture use cosmic language (earth shaking) for historical events like Babylon's fall?
- How does Babylon's fall in 539 BC prefigure the final fall of 'Babylon' in Revelation 18?
- What does the 'cry heard among nations' teach about the public, visible nature of God's judgments?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved (מִקּוֹל נִתְפְּשָׂה בָבֶל נִרְעֲשָׁה הָאָרֶץ, miqqol nitpesah Bavel nir'ashah ha'arets)—Babylon's capture causes seismic response. The verb ra'ash (quake) suggests cosmic significance: this isn't merely political shift but theologically decisive event. Babylon represented human autonomy, imperial pride, idolatrous system—its fall vindicates God's justice and signals the eventual downfall of all anti-God systems.
And the cry is heard among the nations (וּזְעָקָה בַגּוֹיִם נִשְׁמָעָה, uz'aqah vaggoyim nishma'ah)—Nations hear Babylon's death shriek. This fulfilled historically (Babylon's fall reverberated through ancient world, liberating subject peoples) and typologically (Revelation 18:9-19 depicts worldwide mourning at eschatological Babylon's destruction). The fall of archetypal oppressor becomes paradigm for final judgment. Thus Jeremiah 50-51 isn't merely history but prophecy with ongoing significance: every tyranny will fall; every proud system will crumble; only God's kingdom stands forever.