King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:14 in the King James Version says “Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she ha...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.”

Jeremiah 50:14 · KJV

Context

12

Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.

13

Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.

14

Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.

15

Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

16

Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land. sickle; or, scythe

Read Jeremiah 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about—God commands the Medo-Persian coalition to arrange for battle, surrounding the city. Arak (עָרַךְ, put in array) is military terminology for organizing troops strategically. The divine commander orders the siege that will bring His judgment.

All ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD—the archers (likely referring to the famed Persian bowmen) are commanded to unlimited assault. 'Spare no arrows' emphasizes total warfare, holding nothing back. The justification is theological: she hath sinned against the LORD. The Hebrew chata (חָטָא, sinned) means to miss the mark, to transgress covenant or moral law. Though Babylon never knew Yahweh's covenant, they sinned against His moral order and against His people. God holds all nations accountable to His righteousness (Amos 1-2). This demonstrates that divine judgment falls not only on covenant-breakers but on all who violate God's justice and oppress His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Medo-Persian army under Cyrus besieged Babylon in 539 BC. Herodotus and the Cyrus Cylinder describe the conquest. Persian archery was legendary—their arrow volleys were so dense they 'darkened the sun' according to Greek historians. Yet the conquest was achieved not only by military might but by diverting the Euphrates River to enter under the walls. Daniel 5 records that Babylon fell during Belshazzar's feast—they were confident in their defenses, but God had decreed their time was finished.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's command to 'spare no arrows' against Babylon demonstrate that He takes sin seriously, especially oppression of His people?
  2. What does it mean that even pagan nations who don't know God's covenant can still 'sin against the LORD' and face judgment?
  3. How should the certainty of God's judgment on oppressive powers comfort those who currently suffer under injustice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
עִרְכ֨וּ1 of 16

“Put yourselves in array”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

עַל2 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בָּבֶ֤ל׀3 of 16

“against Babylon”

H894

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

סָבִיב֙4 of 16

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

כָּל5 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דֹּ֣רְכֵי6 of 16

“all ye that bend”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

קֶ֔שֶׁת7 of 16

“the bow”

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

יְד֣וּ8 of 16

“shoot”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

אֵלֶ֔יהָ9 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַֽל10 of 16
H408

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

תַּחְמְל֖וּ11 of 16

“at her spare”

H2550

to commiserate; by implication, to spare

אֶל12 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֵ֑ץ13 of 16

“no arrows”

H2671

properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear

כִּ֥י14 of 16
H3588

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

לַֽיהוָ֖ה15 of 16

“against the LORD”

H3068

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

חָטָֽאָה׃16 of 16

“for she hath sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 50:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 50:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:29Habakkuk 2:171 Samuel 17:20Jeremiah 50:7Jeremiah 50:42Habakkuk 2:8

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 50 →

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