Jeremiah Chapter 51 · Verse 13
O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.
Original Language Analysis
שֹׁכַנְתְּ֙י
O thou that dwellest
H7931
שֹׁכַנְתְּ֙י
O thou that dwellest
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
1 of 10
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַ֣יִם
waters
H4325
מַ֣יִם
waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
3 of 10
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
רַבַּ֖ת
abundant
H7227
רַבַּ֖ת
abundant
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
4 of 10
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
רַבַּ֖ת
abundant
H7227
רַבַּ֖ת
abundant
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
5 of 10
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
קִצֵּ֖ךְ
thine end
H7093
קִצֵּ֖ךְ
thine end
Strong's:
H7093
Word #:
8 of 10
an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
Cross References
Revelation 17:1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:Revelation 17:15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.Isaiah 45:3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.Jeremiah 51:36Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.Genesis 6:13And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Historical Context
Babylon's location where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers converge made it exceptionally prosperous. The city's canal system irrigated vast agricultural lands, generating wealth. Nebuchadnezzar's building projects consumed tribute from conquered nations. The 'treasures' included gold vessels from Jerusalem's temple (Daniel 5:2-4). When Cyrus conquered Babylon, he seized its vast treasury. Archaeological excavations reveal immense wealth—gold, silver, precious stones—confirming biblical descriptions. Yet all this wealth could not prevent divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of dwelling 'upon many waters' warn against false security based on natural resources or geographic advantages?
- What does the 'measure of covetousness' teach about God's patience having limits when societies embrace systematic injustice?
- In what ways does contemporary society 'dwell upon many waters' and abound in treasures while filling the measure of greed?
Analysis & Commentary
O thou that dwellest upon many waters—Babylon's location on the Euphrates River and extensive canal system provided agricultural prosperity, transportation, and defensive moats. The "many waters" (מַיִם רַבִּים, mayim rabbim) represent both literal geography and symbolic prosperity. Revelation 17:1, 15 uses this imagery: "the great whore that sitteth upon many waters... The waters... are peoples, and multitudes."
Abundant in treasures—Babylon's wealth from tribute, plunder, and trade made her the ancient world's richest city. Archaeological evidence confirms vast treasuries. Thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness—the "end" (קֵץ, qets, termination, limit) arrives when the "measure" (אַמַּת, ammat, cubit, measure, standard) of greed is filled. God tolerates sin to a point, then judgment falls. The word "covetousness" (בֶּצַע, betsa', unjust gain, greed) indicts Babylon's rapacious accumulation through conquest and exploitation. Wealth gained through injustice brings judgment.