Jeremiah 51:53
Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַעֲלֶ֤ה
should mount up
H5927
תַעֲלֶ֤ה
should mount up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
2 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בָבֶל֙
Though Babylon
H894
בָבֶל֙
Though Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
3 of 14
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
to heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
to heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
4 of 14
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְכִ֥י
H3588
וְכִ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תְבַצֵּ֖ר
and though she should fortify
H1219
תְבַצֵּ֖ר
and though she should fortify
Strong's:
H1219
Word #:
6 of 14
to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)
מְר֣וֹם
the height
H4791
מְר֣וֹם
the height
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
7 of 14
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
עֻזָּ֑הּ
of her strength
H5797
עֻזָּ֑הּ
of her strength
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
8 of 14
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
מֵאִתִּ֗י
H854
מֵאִתִּ֗י
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 49:16Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.Genesis 11:4And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.Jeremiah 51:25Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.
Historical Context
Babylon's fortifications were ancient world's finest. Yet Cyrus bypassed them (diverting Euphrates) and internal betrayal opened gates (Belshazzar's feast-night, Daniel 5). No walls withstand treachery—or divine decree. Later, Xerxes and others demolished these vaunted defenses, fulfilling 'spoilers from Me.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse deconstruct human confidence in technology, architecture, and defensive systems?
- What is the spiritual significance of 'mounting up to heaven'—why is verticality associated with pride?
- In what ways do modern societies build 'Babels' seeking security apart from God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Though Babylon should mount up to heaven (כִּי־תַעֲלֶה בָבֶל הַשָּׁמַיִם, ki-ta'aleh Bavel hashamayim)—Hypothetical: even if Babylon ascended to the sky (echoing Babel's tower, Genesis 11:4), she cannot escape. And though she should fortify the height of her strength (וְכִי תְבַצַּר מְרוֹם עֻזָּהּ, v'khi t'vatsar m'rom uzzah)—though she fortifies her elevated stronghold. Babylon's walls were legendary: Herodotus claims 56 miles in circumference, 80 feet thick, 320 feet high (likely exaggerated but indicating massive scale). The Ishtar Gate, Etemenanki ziggurat (possibly inspiring Babel account), and double-wall system seemed impregnable.
Yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD (מֵאִתִּי יָבֹאוּ שֹׁדְדִים לָהּ, me'itti yavo'u shodedim lah)—The destroyers come from Me, God emphasizes. No height, no fortification exceeds God's reach. This counters every tower-of-Babel impulse: human attempts to secure autonomy through achievement, technology, or architecture. All such projects are sandcastles before the tide of divine justice. True security exists only in covenantal relationship with the Most High.