King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:36 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:36 in the King James Version says “A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. liars: or, c...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. liars: or, chief stays: Heb. bars”

Jeremiah 50:36 · KJV

Context

34

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

35

A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men.

36

A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. liars: or, chief stays: Heb. bars

37

A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.

38

A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A sword is upon the liars (חֶרֶב אֶל־הַבַּדִּים, cherev el-habbaddim)—The baddim were diviners, false prophets, practitioners of Babylonian occult arts (Isaiah 44:25). Babylon's religious system depended on omens, astrology, dream interpretation—all condemned as lies by Scripture. And they shall dote (וְנֹאָלוּ, v'no'alu)—they will become foolish, lose their minds. Their vaunted predictive powers will fail spectacularly.

A sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed (חֶרֶב אֶל־גִּבּוֹרֶיהָ וָחָתּוּ, cherev el-gibboreha v'chattu)—Babylon's elite warriors (gibborim) will be shattered with terror (chatat). Military might and occult manipulation—Babylon's twin pillars—both crumble. This exposes the futility of trusting in human strength or demonic deception. Only God's word endures; all other foundations are sand.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylonian religion was elaborate and influential, featuring priests (kalū), exorcists (āšipu), diviners (bārû), and astrologers. Daniel's superiority to these practitioners (Daniel 2:27-28, 5:15-17) demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy. When Babylon fell, its religious establishment's predictions of eternal dominance were exposed as lies.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture classify divination, astrology, and false prophecy as 'lies' rather than merely errors?
  2. What does the collapse of Babylon's 'wise men' teach about counterfeit spirituality's inability to deliver security?
  3. How do modern forms of divination (horoscopes, fortune-telling, even some 'prophecy') replicate Babylon's spiritual adultery?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
חֶ֥רֶב1 of 8

“A sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֶל2 of 8
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַבַּדִּ֖ים3 of 8

“is upon the liars”

H907

a brag or lie; also a liar

וְנֹאָ֑לוּ4 of 8

“and they shall dote”

H2973

properly, to be slack, i.e., (figuratively) to be foolish

חֶ֥רֶב5 of 8

“A sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֶל6 of 8
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גִּבּוֹרֶ֖יהָ7 of 8

“is upon her mighty men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

וָחָֽתּוּ׃8 of 8

“and they shall be dismayed”

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

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 50:36 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 50:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 49:22Nahum 3:13Isaiah 44:251 Timothy 4:22 Chronicles 25:16Jeremiah 51:32

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