Jeremiah 51:7

Authorized King James Version

Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כּוֹס
cup
a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)
#2
זָהָ֤ב
hath been a golden
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#3
בָּבֶל֙
Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#4
בְּיַד
hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#5
יְהוָ֔ה
in the LORD'S
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
מְשַׁכֶּ֖רֶת
drunken
to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence
#7
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
הָאָ֑רֶץ
that made all the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#9
מִיֵּינָהּ֙
of her wine
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
#10
שָׁת֣וּ
have drunken
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#11
גוֹיִֽם׃
the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
כֵּ֖ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#14
יִתְהֹלְל֥וּ
are mad
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
#15
גוֹיִֽם׃
the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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