Jeremiah 51:6

Authorized King James Version

Flee 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

נֻ֣סוּ׀

H5127

Flee out

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

מִתּ֣וֹךְ

H8432

of the midst

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בָּבֶ֗ל

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וּמַלְּטוּ֙

H4422

and deliver

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

every man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

נַפְשׁ֔וֹ

H5315

his soul

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּדַּ֖מּוּ

H1826

be not cut off

to be dumb; by implication, to be astonished, to stop; also to perish

בַּעֲוֺנָ֑הּ

H5771

in her iniquity

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

#10

כִּי֩

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#11

עֵ֨ת

H6256

for this is the time

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

#12

נְקָמָ֥ה

H5360

vengeance

avengement, whether the act of the passion

#13

הִיא֙

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#14

לַֽיהוָ֔ה

H3068

of the LORD'S

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#15

גְּמ֕וּל

H1576

unto her a recompence

treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital

#16

ה֥וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#17

מְשַׁלֵּ֖ם

H7999

he will render

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

#18

לָֽהּ׃

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Jeremiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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