King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:3 in the King James Version says “For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell ther...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.”

Jeremiah 50:3 · KJV

Context

1

The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet. by: Heb. by the hand of Jeremiah

2

Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces. set up: Heb. lift up

3

For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.

4

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.

5

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her—the 'north' (tsaphon, צָפוֹן) is Jeremiah's consistent direction of threat (1:14, 4:6, 6:1). Ironically, Babylon itself invaded from the north; now a northern coalition will destroy Babylon. History reveals this as the Medo-Persian alliance (Daniel 5:28-31). The phrase 'cometh up' ('alah, עָלָה, ascending, advancing) suggests military mobilization on a massive scale.

Which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein—the Hebrew shammah (שַׁמָּה, desolation, waste) indicates utter ruin. 'None shall dwell' (lo-yihyeh yoshev, לֹא־יִהְיֶה יוֹשֵׁב) emphasizes total abandonment. They shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast—the verb nadad (נָדַד, to flee, wander, depart) occurs twice for emphasis. Even animals flee, indicating environmental catastrophe or such terror that nothing living remains. This echoes God's judgment on Egypt (Jeremiah 46:19) and Edom (Jeremiah 49:17-18), showing the universality of divine justice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy was fulfilled when Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon in 539 BC. The 'nation from the north' was the Medo-Persian coalition (Isaiah 13:17-19, Daniel 5:28). Cyrus approached from the north through the Zagros Mountains. While Babylon wasn't immediately depopulated, its decline began under Persian rule and accelerated under Alexander and the Seleucids. By the first century AD, classical writers described Babylon as largely abandoned ruins. Strabo (Geography 16.1.5) wrote that 'the great city has become a great desert.' Isaiah 13:19-20 and Jeremiah 51:37 prophesied this perpetual desolation, fulfilled as Babylon never regained its ancient glory. The site remained largely uninhabited for two millennia, a testament to the precision of biblical prophecy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the irony of Babylon (the northern invader) being destroyed by a nation from the north demonstrate God's poetic justice?
  2. What does the complete and permanent desolation of Babylon teach about the finality of God's judgments on impenitent nations?
  3. How should the historical fulfillment of these detailed prophecies strengthen our confidence in unfulfilled prophecies about Christ's return and final judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כִּ֣י1 of 19
H3588

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

עָלָה֩2 of 19

“there cometh up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עָלֶ֨יהָ3 of 19
H5921

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

גּ֜וֹי4 of 19

“a nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

מִצָּפ֗וֹן5 of 19

“For out of the north”

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

הֽוּא6 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

יָשִׁ֤ית7 of 19

“against her which shall make”

H7896

to place (in a very wide application)

אֶת8 of 19
H853

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

אַרְצָהּ֙9 of 19

“her land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְשַׁמָּ֔ה10 of 19

“desolate”

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

וְלֹֽא11 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶ֥ה12 of 19
H1961

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

יוֹשֵׁ֖ב13 of 19

“and none shall dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּ֑הּ14 of 19
H0
מֵאָדָ֥ם15 of 19

“both man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְעַד16 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בְּהֵמָ֖ה17 of 19

“and beast”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

נָ֥דוּ18 of 19

“therein they shall remove”

H5110

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea

הָלָֽכוּ׃19 of 19

“they shall depart”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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 50:3 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 50:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:11Zephaniah 1:3Jeremiah 51:62Jeremiah 50:9Jeremiah 51:25-27Exodus 12:12

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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