Jeremiah 51:56
Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָלֶ֤יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֤יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָּבֶל֙
upon her even upon Babylon
H894
בָּבֶל֙
upon her even upon Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
5 of 16
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
שׁוֹדֵ֔ד
Because the spoiler
H7703
שׁוֹדֵ֔ד
Because the spoiler
Strong's:
H7703
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
וְנִלְכְּדוּ֙
are taken
H3920
וְנִלְכְּדוּ֙
are taken
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
7 of 16
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
גִּבּוֹרֶ֔יהָ
and her mighty men
H1368
גִּבּוֹרֶ֔יהָ
and her mighty men
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
8 of 16
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
חִתְּתָ֖ה
is broken
H2865
חִתְּתָ֖ה
is broken
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
קַשְּׁתוֹתָ֑ם
every one of their bows
H7198
קַשְּׁתוֹתָ֑ם
every one of their bows
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
10 of 16
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵ֧ל
God
H410
אֵ֧ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
12 of 16
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
יְהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Psalms 46:9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.Jeremiah 51:48Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 51:6Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.Habakkuk 2:8Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.Isaiah 59:18According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.Psalms 76:3There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.Jeremiah 51:24And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.Deuteronomy 32:35To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Historical Context
Babylon's military establishment was neutralized—captured, disbanded, or absorbed into Persian forces. The 'God of recompenses' operated through Cyrus but was the true Agent. Daniel 5:25-28's 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN' announced this divine accounting: weighed, found wanting, divided—divine recompense executed.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'God of recompenses' reveal about divine justice and moral order in the universe?
- How does the breaking of bows symbolize the futility of trusting in military strength apart from God?
- In what ways should the certainty of divine recompense ('surely requite') affect how Christians respond to injustice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon (כִּי בָא עָלֶיהָ עַל־בָּבֶל שׁוֹדֵד, ki va aleha al-Bavel shoded)—The Spoiler (Cyrus, but ultimately God) has arrived. And her mighty men are taken (וְנִלְכְּדוּ גִבּוֹרֶיהָ, v'nilk'du gibboreha)—Babylon's gibborim (warriors) are captured. Every one of their bows is broken (חִתְּתָה קַשְּׁתוֹתָם, chittah qashtotam)—Their bows (primary weapon) are shattered, echoing the breaking of Elam's bow (49:35). Military impotence follows moral bankruptcy.
For the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite (כִּי אֵל גְּמֻלוֹת יְהוָה שַׁלֵּם יְשַׁלֵּם, ki El gemulot YHWH shalem y'shalem)—El gemulot (God of recompenses/retributions) will surely repay. The doubled verb shalem y'shalem (repay, repay) intensifies: God will absolutely, thoroughly recompense. This is lex talionis on cosmic scale: Babylon broke others' bows; theirs are broken. They captured nations; they're captured. This isn't vindictiveness but justice—the moral order requires proportional response to evil.