King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:38 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:38 in the King James Version says “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 the...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 50:38 · KJV

Context

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.

40

As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A drought is upon her waters (חֹרֶב אֶל־מֵימֶיהָ, chorev el-meimeha)—The chorev can mean drought or sword; both readings are apt. Babylon's strength was the Euphrates River and irrigation canal system supporting agriculture and defense. God will 'dry up' (yavashu) these waters—literally fulfilled when Cyrus diverted the Euphrates to enter Babylon (Herodotus 1.191), and prophetically symbolizing the drying up of Babylon's vitality and power.

For it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols (כִּי אֶרֶץ פְּסִלִים הִיא וּבָאֵימִים יִתְהֹלָלוּ, ki erets p'silim hi uva'eimim yithollalu)—This explains the judgment: Babylon was a 'land of carved images,' and they 'boasted' or 'acted like madmen' over their eimim (terrors/idols). Idolatry is insanity—worshipping creatures/creations instead of Creator (Romans 1:22-23). Babylon's elaborate pantheon (Marduk, Ishtar, Nabu) and New Year's festival (Akitu) testify to this theological madness. Just verdict: the idol-mad nation loses its water source and sanity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's Processional Way featured images of gods in glazed brick. The Esagila (Marduk's temple) and ziggurats dominated the cityscape. Yet these gods could not prevent Cyrus's conquest. Isaiah 46:1-2 mocks these gods needing to be carried into exile, unable to save themselves or Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'drying of waters' metaphor apply to the collapse of human systems and securities apart from God?
  2. What does it mean to be 'mad' over idols, and how do modern idolatries produce similar insanity?
  3. Why is idolatry consistently portrayed as the root cause of national judgment throughout Scripture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
חֹ֥רֶב1 of 10

“A drought”

H2721

drought or desolation

אֶל2 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֵימֶ֖יהָ3 of 10

“is upon her waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְיָבֵ֑שׁוּ4 of 10

“and they shall be dried up”

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

כִּ֣י5 of 10
H3588

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

אֶ֤רֶץ6 of 10

“for it is the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

פְּסִלִים֙7 of 10

“of graven images”

H6456

an idol

הִ֔יא8 of 10
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

וּבָאֵימִ֖ים9 of 10

“upon their idols”

H367

fright; concrete, an idol (as a bugbear)

יִתְהֹלָֽלוּ׃10 of 10

“and they are mad”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

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 50:38 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 50:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 44:27Revelation 16:12Jeremiah 50:2Jeremiah 51:52Jeremiah 51:47Daniel 3:1-30

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