King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:24 Mean?

I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caug... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.”

Jeremiah 50:24 · King James Version

Context

22

A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.

23

How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!

24

I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.

25

The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.

26

Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left. from: Heb. from the end cast: or, tread her

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
I have laid a snare for thee—God Himself sets the trap (yaqosh, יָקֹשׁ, to ensnare, lay a trap). And thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware—the hunter becomes the hunted. The Hebrew lakad (לָכַד, captured, seized) emphasizes sudden, inescapable capture. Babylon's fall came swiftly; Cyrus conquered the city in one night while Belshazzar feasted (Daniel 5:30-31).

Because thou hast striven against the LORD—the Hebrew garah (גָּרָה, to provoke, challenge, contend) indicates deliberate opposition. Babylon didn't merely conquer nations; it challenged Yahweh's authority, desecrated His temple (2 Kings 25:9), mocked His people, and exalted its own gods (Daniel 3:14-15). This verse echoes the principle that opposing God inevitably leads to destruction. No nation, however powerful, can successfully contend with the Almighty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Cyrus's conquest fulfilled this prophecy precisely. According to Herodotus and the Nabonidus Chronicle, the Persians diverted the Euphrates River and entered Babylon through the riverbed gates—a 'snare' the Babylonians never anticipated. The city fell without prolonged siege in 539 BC. Belshazzar's feast (Daniel 5) occurred the very night of conquest—feasting unaware while judgment approached. This unexpected defeat of history's greatest empire demonstrated God's sovereign control over nations.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'strive against the LORD,' and how might nations or individuals do this today?
  2. How does Babylon's unawareness of God's trap warn against presumption and false security?
  3. What does this verse teach about God's sovereignty over even the most powerful human institutions?
KS
Written by KJV Study Commentary • Biblical Commentary

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
יָקֹ֨שְׁתִּי
1 of 14

“I have laid a snare”

H3369
to ensnare (literally or figuratively)
לָ֤ךְ
2 of 14
H0
וְגַם
3 of 14
H1571
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נִלְכַּדְתְּ֙
4 of 14

“for thee and thou art also taken”

H3920
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
בָּבֶ֔ל
5 of 14

“O Babylon”

H894
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וְאַ֖תְּ
6 of 14
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
לֹ֣א
7 of 14
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדָ֑עַתְּ
8 of 14

“and thou wast not aware”

H3045
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
נִמְצֵאת֙
9 of 14

“thou art found”

H4672
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
וְגַם
10 of 14
H1571
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נִתְפַּ֔שְׂתְּ
11 of 14

“and also caught”

H8610
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
כִּ֥י
12 of 14
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בַֽיהוָ֖ה
13 of 14

“against the LORD”

H3068
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הִתְגָּרִֽית׃
14 of 14

“because thou hast striven”

H1624
properly, to grate, i.e., (figuratively) to anger

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 50:24 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 50:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 9:4Daniel 5:30-31Job 40:9Job 40:2Isaiah 45:9Jeremiah 51:31-39

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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