King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:37 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:37 in the King James Version says “A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 50:37 · KJV


Context

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.

39

Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots (חֶרֶב אֶל־סוּסָיו וְאֶל־רִכְבּוֹ, cherev el-susav v'el-rikhbo)—Babylon's famed cavalry and chariotry face the sword. Military technology that conquered nations will fail. And upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her (עֶרֶב, erev)—the 'mixed' population: mercenaries, foreign merchants, enslaved peoples. Babylon's cosmopolitan diversity becomes liability; no ally can save her. And they shall become as women—not misogyny but metaphor for helplessness in warfare (see 48:41, 49:22, 51:30).

A sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed (חֶרֶב אֶל־אוֹצְרֹתֶיהָ וּבֻזָּזוּ, cherev el-otsroteha uvuzzazu)—Babylon's legendary wealth (plundered from nations, tribute from vassals) will be looted. The verb bazaz (plunder) appears—what Babylon took will be taken. Perfect poetic justice: the archetypal oppressor becomes victim. This proves no human accumulation of wealth, weaponry, or alliances can withstand God's decree.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's wealth was proverbial (Daniel 4:30). The Hanging Gardens, Ishtar Gate, and royal treasuries testified to accumulated riches. Yet Cyrus's conquest transferred this wealth to Persia. Later, Alexander the Great seized Babylon's treasures, then successive empires plundered what remained. The 'robbed' prophecy saw extended fulfillment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the neutralization of Babylon's military technology teach about trusting in human innovation for security?
  2. How does the plundering of Babylon's treasures demonstrate God's concern for economic justice and restitution?
  3. In what ways do modern nations/individuals trust in accumulated wealth as security, and how might God address such trust?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
חֶ֥רֶב1 of 16

A sword

H2719

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

אֶל2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

סוּסָ֣יו3 of 16

is upon their horses

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

וְאֶל4 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רִכְבּ֗וֹ5 of 16

and upon their chariots

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וְאֶל6 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל7 of 16
H3605

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

הָעֶ֛רֶב8 of 16
H6154

the web (or transverse threads of cloth); also a mixture, (or mongrel race)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 16
H834

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

בְּתוֹכָ֖הּ10 of 16

that are in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

וְהָי֣וּ11 of 16
H1961

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

לְנָשִׁ֑ים12 of 16

of her and they shall become as women

H802

a woman

חֶ֥רֶב13 of 16

A sword

H2719

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

אֶל14 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אוֹצְרֹתֶ֖יהָ15 of 16

is upon her treasures

H214

a depository

וּבֻזָּֽזוּ׃16 of 16

and they shall be robbed

H962

to plunder


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 50:37 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 50:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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