King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:29 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:29 in the King James Version says “Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escap... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 50:29 · KJV


Context

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.

31

Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. most: Heb. pride


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God calls archers to besiege Babylon and 'let none thereof escape' because 'she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.' Pride against God is the fundamental sin (Isa 14:13-14). Babylon, though used by God to judge others, grew arrogant and forgot her role as instrument. God resists the proud (James 4:6, 1 Pet 5:5). No one sins against God with impunity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's pride was legendary - exemplified by Nebuchadnezzar's statement in Daniel 4:30. Despite God's warnings through Daniel, Babylon's arrogance persisted until judgment fell.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's treatment of proud Babylon warn against arrogance in His servants?
  2. In what ways do you struggle with pride, especially regarding gifts and successes God has given?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
הַשְׁמִ֣יעוּ1 of 28

Call together

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל2 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּבֶ֣ל׀3 of 28

against Babylon

H894

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

רַ֠בִּים4 of 28

the archers

H7228

an archer

כָּל5 of 28
H3605

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

דֹּ֨רְכֵי6 of 28

all ye that bend

H1869

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

קֶ֜שֶׁת7 of 28

the bow

H7198

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

חֲנ֧וּ8 of 28

camp

H2583

properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s

עָלֶ֣יהָ9 of 28
H5921

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

סָבִ֗יב10 of 28

against it round about

H5439

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

אַל11 of 28
H408

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

יְהִי12 of 28
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

פְּלֵיטָ֔ה13 of 28

let none thereof escape

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

שַׁלְּמוּ14 of 28

recompense

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

לָ֣הּ15 of 28
H0
כְּפָעֳלָ֔הּ16 of 28

her according to her work

H6467

an act or work (concretely)

כְּכֹ֛ל17 of 28
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר18 of 28
H834

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

עֲשׂוּ19 of 28

according to all that she hath done

H6213

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

עֲשׂוּ20 of 28

according to all that she hath done

H6213

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

לָ֑הּ21 of 28
H0
כִּ֧י22 of 28
H3588

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

אֶל23 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֛ה24 of 28

against the LORD

H3068

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

זָ֖דָה25 of 28

unto her for she hath been proud

H2102

to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent

אֶל26 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קְד֥וֹשׁ27 of 28

against the Holy One

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃28 of 28

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


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 50:29 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 50:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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