Jeremiah Chapter 51 · Verse 2

Authorized King James Version

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And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.

Original Language Analysis

וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֨י And will send H7971
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֨י And will send
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 1 of 13
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לְבָבֶ֤ל׀ unto Babylon H894
לְבָבֶ֤ל׀ unto Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 2 of 13
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
זָרִים֙ fanners H2114
זָרִים֙ fanners
Strong's: H2114
Word #: 3 of 13
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
וְזֵר֔וּהָ that shall fan H2219
וְזֵר֔וּהָ that shall fan
Strong's: H2219
Word #: 4 of 13
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
וִיבֹקְק֖וּ her and shall empty H1238
וִיבֹקְק֖וּ her and shall empty
Strong's: H1238
Word #: 5 of 13
to pour out, i.e., to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a fruitful vine)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַרְצָ֑הּ her land H776
אַרְצָ֑הּ her land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 7 of 13
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָי֥וּ H1961
הָי֥וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 9 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עָלֶ֛יהָ H5921
עָלֶ֛יהָ
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 10 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִסָּבִ֖יב they shall be against her round about H5439
מִסָּבִ֖יב they shall be against her round about
Strong's: H5439
Word #: 11 of 13
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
בְּי֥וֹם for in the day H3117
בְּי֥וֹם for in the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רָעָֽה׃ of trouble H7451
רָעָֽה׃ of trouble
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 13 of 13
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Analysis & Commentary

And will send unto Babylon fanners—the Hebrew zarim (זָרִים, foreigners, strangers) is a wordplay with zarah (זָרָה, to winnow, scatter). God sends 'foreign fanners' who will winnow Babylon like grain. That shall fan her, and shall empty her land—winnowing separates wheat from chaff; applied to Babylon, it means separating people from land, destroying the empire's coherence and prosperity.

For in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about—enemies encircle Babylon from all sides. The Medo-Persian coalition included diverse peoples—Medes, Persians, Elamites, and others—forming a comprehensive siege. The agricultural metaphor of winnowing conveys both judgment (separating valuable from worthless) and scattering (dispersion of population). Babylon scattered other nations; now she is scattered.

Historical Context

Cyrus's coalition included multiple ethnic groups—Persians, Medes, Elamites, and others—fulfilling the prophecy of 'fanners' from various origins. After conquering Babylon, the Persians did 'empty her land' by allowing conquered peoples (including Jews) to return to their homelands, depleting Babylon's captive workforce and diminishing its centrality. Subsequent revolts and Persian reprisals further depopulated and weakened Babylon. The winnowing was thorough—what was once history's greatest empire became an abandoned ruin.

Questions for Reflection