Jeremiah Chapter 51 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

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The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

Original Language Analysis

נִשְׁבַּ֛ע hath sworn H7650
נִשְׁבַּ֛ע hath sworn
Strong's: H7650
Word #: 1 of 12
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
יְהוָ֥ה The LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 3 of 12
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
בְּנַפְשׁ֑וֹ by himself H5315
בְּנַפְשׁ֑וֹ by himself
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 6 of 12
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
מִלֵּאתִ֤יךְ saying Surely I will fill H4390
מִלֵּאתִ֤יךְ saying Surely I will fill
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 7 of 12
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אָדָם֙ thee with men H120
אָדָם֙ thee with men
Strong's: H120
Word #: 8 of 12
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
כַּיֶּ֔לֶק as with caterpillers H3218
כַּיֶּ֔לֶק as with caterpillers
Strong's: H3218
Word #: 9 of 12
a devourer; specifically, the young locust
וְעָנ֥וּ and they shall lift up H6030
וְעָנ֥וּ and they shall lift up
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 10 of 12
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
עָלַ֖יִךְ H5921
עָלַ֖יִךְ
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 11 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הֵידָֽד׃ a shout H1959
הֵידָֽד׃ a shout
Strong's: H1959
Word #: 12 of 12
acclamation

Analysis & Commentary

The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself—the divine oath's strongest possible form, since no higher authority exists (Hebrews 6:13). God's self-oath guarantees absolute certainty. The title "LORD of hosts" (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, YHWH Tseva'ot) emphasizes sovereign command over heavenly and earthly armies—Babylon faces the Commander of all forces.

Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers—the imagery of locust swarms (יֶלֶק, yeleq, swarming locust) depicts invading armies' overwhelming numbers and destructive capacity. Just as locusts devour everything, so conquering armies will consume Babylon. And they shall lift up a shout against thee—the battle cry (הֵידָד, heidad, shout, war cry) celebrates victory. The shout raised against Babylon reverses her previous triumph shouts over conquered nations. The oppressor becomes oppressed; the destroyer, destroyed. Divine justice includes measure-for-measure retribution.

Historical Context

The Medo-Persian coalition included vast multinational forces—Medes, Persians, Elamites, and others—fulfilling the prophecy of being filled with men like locusts. Ancient Near Eastern armies often numbered in tens of thousands; the imagery of locust swarms aptly describes these massive forces. The 'shout' of victory was customary ancient warfare practice—conquering armies proclaimed triumph. When Babylon fell, those she had oppressed celebrated her downfall, fulfilling this prophecy precisely.

Questions for Reflection