King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:31 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:31 in the King James Version says “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 vis...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 50:31 · KJV

Context

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

32

And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him. the: Heb. pride

33

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.

Read Jeremiah 50 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud—God directly addresses Babylon as zdon (זָדוֹן, pride, arrogance, presumption). Pride was Babylon's characteristic sin: the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:4), Nebuchadnezzar's boast (Daniel 4:30), Belshazzar's sacrilege (Daniel 5:22-23). I am against thee is one of Scripture's most terrifying phrases—when God sets Himself against someone, no defense avails.

Saith the Lord GOD of hosts—Adonai Yahweh Tseva'ot (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה צְבָאוֹת), the full title emphasizing sovereign authority over all armies. For thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee—the appointed yom (day) and eth paqadtik (time of your reckoning) arrive with certainty. God's longsuffering has limits; the 'day' of grace ends, judgment begins.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pride characterized Babylon from its founding. The Tower of Babel represented humanity's arrogant attempt to make a name for themselves independent of God (Genesis 11:4). Nebuchadnezzar's pride led to seven years of madness until he acknowledged God's sovereignty (Daniel 4:28-37). Belshazzar's pride in drinking from Jerusalem's temple vessels the night Babylon fell epitomized the empire's arrogance (Daniel 5:2-5, 22-23). When Cyrus conquered Babylon, he claimed that Marduk (Babylon's chief god) had chosen him—ironic confirmation that Babylon's gods could not save them. Pride indeed preceded Babylon's fall.

Reflection Questions

  1. What makes pride such a dangerous sin that God directly opposes the proud (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5)?
  2. How did Babylon's pride manifest, and where do you see similar arrogance in modern institutions or nations?
  3. What does it mean to have God 'against' you, and how does this motivate humility and repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
הִנְנִ֤י1 of 12
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙2 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זָד֔וֹן3 of 12

“Behold I am against thee O thou most proud”

H2087

arrogance

נְאֻם4 of 12

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י5 of 12

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֖ה6 of 12

“GOD”

H3069

god

צְבָא֑וֹת7 of 12

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

כִּ֛י8 of 12
H3588

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

בָּ֥א9 of 12

“is come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יוֹמְךָ֖10 of 12

“for thy day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עֵ֥ת11 of 12

“the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

פְּקַדְתִּֽיךָ׃12 of 12

“that I will visit”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

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 50:31 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 50:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:29Jeremiah 21:13Nahum 2:13Ezekiel 39:1Habakkuk 2:4-5James 4:6

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