King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:15 in the King James Version says “Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 50:15 · KJV


Context

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

17

Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand—the war cry signals victory. 'Given her hand' (nathan yad, נָתַן יָד) is an idiom for surrender, submission, making covenant. Babylon capitulates, the siege succeeds. Her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down—the massive defensive walls that seemed impregnable are breached. Herodotus described these walls as so wide that chariot races were held atop them. Yet they fall before God's decree.

For it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her—God identifies Himself as the agent: this is the vengeance of the LORD (niqmath Yahweh, נִקְמַת יְהוָה). Naqam (נָקַם) means to avenge, to execute justice, to repay. The principle of reciprocal justice follows: 'as she hath done, do unto her' (ka'asher asethah asu lah, כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשְׂתָה עֲשׂוּ־לָהּ). This is lex talionis (law of retaliation) applied to nations—measure for measure. Babylon showed no mercy to conquered peoples; now mercy will not be shown to her. This foreshadows Revelation 18:6: 'Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The conquest of Babylon was surprisingly swift. Daniel 5 describes the city falling in a single night. Archaeological evidence confirms Cyrus's army entered the city with minimal resistance—some sources suggest internal betrayal or that the city's defenses were compromised by diverting the Euphrates. The 'foundations fallen' may refer both to physical walls and to the empire's collapse. Within one generation, Babylon went from world-dominating empire to a Persian province, exactly fulfilling this prophecy of reciprocal judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the principle 'as she hath done, do unto her' demonstrate God's justice in ensuring oppressors face consequences proportional to their crimes?
  2. What does it mean that God identifies this as 'the vengeance of the LORD' rather than merely human warfare?
  3. How should we understand divine vengeance in light of New Testament teaching to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הָרִ֨יעוּ1 of 19

Shout

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

עָלֶ֤יהָ2 of 19
H5921

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

סָבִיב֙3 of 19

against her round about

H5439

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

נָתְנָ֣ה4 of 19

she hath given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יָדָ֔הּ5 of 19

her hand

H3027

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

נָֽפְלוּ֙6 of 19

are fallen

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

אָשְׁויֹתֶ֔יהָ7 of 19

her foundations

H803

foundation

נֶהֶרְס֖וּ8 of 19

are thrown down

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

חֽוֹמוֹתֶ֑יהָ9 of 19

her walls

H2346

a wall of protection

כִּי֩10 of 19
H3588

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

נִקְמַ֨ת11 of 19

for it is the vengeance

H5360

avengement, whether the act of the passion

יְהוָ֥ה12 of 19

of the LORD

H3068

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

הִיא֙13 of 19
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

הִנָּ֣קְמוּ14 of 19

take vengeance

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

בָ֔הּ15 of 19
H0
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עֲשׂוּ17 of 19

do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עֲשׂוּ18 of 19

do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָֽהּ׃19 of 19
H0

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 50:15 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 50:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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