Jeremiah 51:9

Authorized King James Version

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We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.

Original Language Analysis

נִרְפָּ֔תָה We would have healed H7495
נִרְפָּ֔תָה We would have healed
Strong's: H7495
Word #: 1 of 17
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּבֶל֙ Babylon H894
בָּבֶל֙ Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 3 of 17
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִרְפָּ֔תָה We would have healed H7495
נִרְפָּ֔תָה We would have healed
Strong's: H7495
Word #: 5 of 17
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
עִזְב֕וּהָ forsake H5800
עִזְב֕וּהָ forsake
Strong's: H5800
Word #: 6 of 17
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
וְנֵלֵ֖ךְ H1980
וְנֵלֵ֖ךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 7 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אִ֣ישׁ every one H376
אִ֣ישׁ every one
Strong's: H376
Word #: 8 of 17
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)
לְאַרְצ֑וֹ into his own country H776
לְאַרְצ֑וֹ into his own country
Strong's: H776
Word #: 9 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 10 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָגַ֤ע reacheth H5060
נָגַ֤ע reacheth
Strong's: H5060
Word #: 11 of 17
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ unto heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ unto heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 13 of 17
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
מִשְׁפָּטָ֔הּ for her judgment H4941
מִשְׁפָּטָ֔הּ for her judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וְנִשָּׂ֖א and is lifted up H5375
וְנִשָּׂ֖א and is lifted up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 15 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 16 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
שְׁחָקִֽים׃ even to the skies H7834
שְׁחָקִֽים׃ even to the skies
Strong's: H7834
Word #: 17 of 17
a powder (as beaten small); by analogy, a thin vapor; by extension, the firmament

Analysis & Commentary

'We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed.' This suggests God's people attempted to be witnesses for righteousness in Babylon (Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego), but the nation remained incorrigible. At some point, efforts to reform the unreformable must cease. The command 'forsake her' recognizes when judgment becomes inevitable. Christians live as witnesses but sometimes must 'shake the dust off' (Matt 10:14).

Historical Context

Despite having godly Jews in their midst who demonstrated God's power and wisdom, Babylon persisted in idolatry and pride until judgment fell.

Questions for Reflection

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