Jeremiah 51:12
Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.
Original Language Analysis
בָבֶֽל׃
of Babylon
H894
בָבֶֽל׃
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
3 of 23
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
שְׂאוּ
Set up
H5375
שְׂאוּ
Set up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 23
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
נֵ֗ס
the standard
H5251
נֵ֗ס
the standard
Strong's:
H5251
Word #:
5 of 23
a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token
הַחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙
strong
H2388
הַחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙
strong
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
6 of 23
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
הַמִּשְׁמָ֔ר
make the watch
H4929
הַמִּשְׁמָ֔ר
make the watch
Strong's:
H4929
Word #:
7 of 23
a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely)
הָקִ֙ימוּ֙
set up
H6965
הָקִ֙ימוּ֙
set up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
8 of 23
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
שֹֽׁמְרִ֔ים
the watchmen
H8104
שֹֽׁמְרִ֔ים
the watchmen
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
הָכִ֖ינוּ
prepare
H3559
הָכִ֖ינוּ
prepare
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
עָשָׂ֕ה
and done
H6213
עָשָׂ֕ה
and done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
17 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֖ר
that which he spake
H1696
דִּבֶּ֖ר
that which he spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
20 of 23
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
Isaiah 13:2Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.Jeremiah 51:11Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.Jeremiah 51:29And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.Nahum 2:1He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
Historical Context
Babylon's defensive walls were among the ancient world's wonders—double walls with watchtowers, the outer wall wide enough for chariot races. Yet these formidable defenses failed when Cyrus diverted the Euphrates and entered through the riverbed gates. The irony is profound: despite extensive defensive preparations, the city fell with minimal resistance. Archaeology confirms the walls' massive scale, making their ineffectiveness against God's decree more remarkable. No human defense withstands divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the futility of Babylon's defensive preparations illustrate that no human security withstands God's judgment?
- What does the phrase 'the LORD hath both devised and done' teach about the certainty of God's prophetic word?
- In what ways do people today rely on 'walls' and 'watchmen' that cannot ultimately protect against divine accountability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon—the military banner (נֵס, nes) signals attack. Ironically, Babylon's own walls become the staging point for siege preparations against her. Make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes—the threefold military command (strengthen guard, station sentries, position ambushers) emphasizes thorough preparation. Yet all preparations prove futile against God's decree.
For the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake—the verb pair "devised" (זָמַם, zamam, plan, purpose) and "done" (עָשָׂה, asah, accomplish, perform) emphasizes God's word's efficacy. What God speaks, He accomplishes (Isaiah 55:11). The phrase "against the inhabitants of Babylon" (אֶל־יֹשְׁבֵי בָבֶל, el-yoshevei Bavel) personalizes judgment—not abstract empire but actual people face consequences for corporate sin. This teaches divine word's reliability: prophecy given 70 years before Babylon's fall was precisely fulfilled.