Jeremiah 51:55
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Jeremiah 51:55
55 Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 51 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of obedience, salvation, righteousness. Written during the final years of Judah and early exile (c. 627-580 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Prophesied during Judah's final years as Babylon became the dominant power.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-64: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Jeremiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Jeremiah 51:55
55 Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
Analysis
Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon (כִּי־שֹׁדֵד יְהוָה אֶת־בָּבֶל, ki-shoded YHWH et-Bavel)—Active divine agency: God is the Spoiler. Babylon, archetypal plunderer of nations, is herself plundered by Yahweh personally. And destroyed out of her the great voice (וְאִבַּד מִמֶּנָּה קוֹל גָּדוֹל, v'ibbed mimmenah qol gadol)—The 'great voice' of Babylon (imperial edicts, temple chants, marketplace bustle, military commands) falls silent. Abad (destroy/perish) is total cessation.
When her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered (וְהָמוּ גַלֵּיהֶם כְּמַיִם רַבִּים נִתַּן שְׁאוֹן קוֹלָם, v'hamu galeihem k'mayim rabbim nittan sh'on qolam)—The metaphor shifts: Babylon's 'waves' (armies? populace?) roar like floodwaters, but this roar is death-throe, not triumph. The cacophony of collapse replaces the hum of civilization. Just as God drowned Pharaoh's army in waters (Exodus 15), He drowns Babylon in chaos. The sea-imagery suggests primordial uncreation—Babylon returns to tohu vavohu (Genesis 1:2).
Historical Context
Babylon's 'voice'—Marduk's cult, royal decrees, commercial activity—did cease. The vibrant city became backwater, then ruins. The 'roaring waves' may reference panic during conquest, or metaphorically, the overwhelming chaos that consumed Babylon's order. Either way, the 'great voice' was indeed silenced.
Reflection
- What does the silencing of Babylon's 'great voice' teach about the temporal nature of earthly power and culture?
- How does the water/flood imagery connect Babylon's judgment to other biblical judgments (Flood, Red Sea)?
- In what ways does civilization's collapse represent a kind of 'uncreation' under divine curse?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 25:10