King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:28 in the King James Version says “The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God,...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.”

Jeremiah 50:28 · KJV

Context

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

27

Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

28

The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.

29

Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

30

Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon—Jewish exiles who survive Babylon's fall return to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God. This connects directly to Cyrus's decree allowing Jewish return (Ezra 1:1-4). The returning exiles bear witness that Babylon's fall demonstrates God's righteous judgment.

The vengeance of his temple—nikmat hekalo (נִקְמַת הֵיכָלוֹ, vengeance for His sanctuary). Nebuchadnezzar burned Solomon's temple in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:9), desecrated its vessels in Belshazzar's feast (Daniel 5:2-3), and exalted Babylonian gods over Yahweh. God's 'vengeance' is not petty retaliation but righteous retribution for specific offenses against His holy dwelling and honor. Babylon's fall vindicates God's name and permits temple rebuilding (completed 515 BC).

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Historical & Cultural Context

In 538 BC, Cyrus issued his famous decree allowing Jews to return and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). The first wave returned under Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest (Ezra 2), carrying temple vessels Nebuchadnezzar had plundered (Ezra 1:7-11). Their return occurred precisely as Jeremiah prophesied—seventy years after the first deportation (Jeremiah 29:10). The returning exiles indeed 'declared in Zion' God's vengeance on Babylon, celebrating both Babylon's fall and God's faithfulness to restore His temple and people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'vengeance for His temple' demonstrate His jealousy for His own glory and holiness?
  2. What does the return of the exiles teach about God's faithfulness to restore what enemies have destroyed?
  3. How should believers today respond when God's name, people, or purposes are attacked or desecrated?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
ק֥וֹל1 of 13

“The voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

נָסִ֛ים2 of 13

“of them that flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

וּפְלֵטִ֖ים3 of 13

“and escape out”

H6405

escape

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ4 of 13

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בָּבֶ֑ל5 of 13

“of Babylon”

H894

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

לְהַגִּ֣יד6 of 13

“to declare”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

בְּצִיּ֗וֹן7 of 13

“in Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

אֶת8 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נִקְמַ֖ת9 of 13

“the vengeance”

H5360

avengement, whether the act of the passion

יְהוָ֣ה10 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ11 of 13

“our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נִקְמַ֖ת12 of 13

“the vengeance”

H5360

avengement, whether the act of the passion

הֵיכָלֽוֹ׃13 of 13

“of his temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

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 50:28 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 50:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:15Lamentations 1:10Isaiah 48:20Jeremiah 51:10-11Daniel 5:23Psalms 149:6-9

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Jeremiah 50 →

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