King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:40 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:40 in the King James Version says “As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neith... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 50:40 · KJV


Context

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.

41

Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

42

They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof (כְּמַהְפֵּכַת אֱלֹהִים אֶת־סְדֹם וְאֶת־עֲמֹרָה, k'mahpekat Elohim et-Sedom v'et-Amorah)—The ultimate comparison: Babylon's judgment parallels Sodom's. The verb haphak (overthrow) is used exclusively for divine catastrophic judgment. This isn't natural decline but supernatural intervention. Edom received this comparison (49:18); Babylon, chief oppressor, receives the same verdict.

So shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein—Exact repetition of 49:18. The formula indicates irrevocable judgment: human habitation becomes impossible. Yet there's redemptive irony: Babylon the city faces Sodom's fate, but the Babylonian captives in Persia would be released. The system is destroyed; individuals may yet find mercy. This distinction between institutional judgment and personal salvation runs throughout Scripture—God destroys evil systems while redeeming individuals who repent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Unlike Sodom's instant incineration, Babylon's 'overthrow' was gradual: military defeat (539 BC), political decline, economic collapse, population dispersion, eventual abandonment. Yet the end result matches: permanent desolation. God's 'overthrow' doesn't require a single moment; historical processes can execute divine sentences over centuries.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture repeatedly invoke Sodom when describing ultimate judgment?
  2. How does God's method of 'overthrowing' differ between instant catastrophe (Sodom) and gradual decline (Babylon)?
  3. What hope exists for individuals within systems under divine judgment, and how does this inform Christian witness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כְּמַהְפֵּכַ֨ת1 of 19

overthrew

H4114

a destruction

אֱלֹהִ֜ים2 of 19

As God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת3 of 19
H853

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

סְדֹ֧ם4 of 19

Sodom

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וְאֶת5 of 19
H853

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

עֲמֹרָ֛ה6 of 19

and Gomorrah

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

וְאֶת7 of 19
H853

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

שְׁכֵנֶ֖יהָ8 of 19

and the neighbour

H7934

a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen

נְאֻם9 of 19

cities thereof saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה10 of 19

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֹֽא11 of 19
H3808

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

יֵשֵׁ֥ב12 of 19

abide

H3427

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

שָׁם֙13 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אִ֔ישׁ14 of 19

so shall no man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְלֹֽא15 of 19
H3808

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

יָג֥וּר16 of 19

dwell

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

בָּ֖הּ17 of 19
H0
בֶּן18 of 19

there neither shall any son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָֽם׃19 of 19

of man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, 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 50:40 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 50:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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