King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 50:44 Mean?

Jeremiah 50:44 in the King James Version says “Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 50 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? appoint me: or, convent me to plead?

Jeremiah 50:44 · KJV


Context

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.

43

The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.

44

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? appoint me: or, convent me to plead?

45

Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.

46

At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan—This verse repeats 49:19 nearly verbatim, applying language used for Edom's judgment to Babylon. The lion from Jordan's thickets represents unstoppable divine assault. But I will make them suddenly run away from her (כִּי אַרְגִּיעָה אֲרִיצֵם מֵעָלֶיהָ, ki argi'ah aritsem me'aleha)—God will cause Babylon's defenders to flee instantly.

And who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?—Four rhetorical questions establishing God's sovereignty and incomparability. No human leader can challenge God's choice of Babylon's conqueror (Cyrus). No one can summon God to court or demand explanation. No shepherd (king/leader) can resist His decrees. These questions demolish human autonomy and judicial pretensions. We are accountable to God; He is accountable to no one. This is both terrifying (for rebels) and comforting (for those who trust Him).

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Historical & Cultural Context

God's 'chosen man' for Babylon was Cyrus, explicitly named in Isaiah 44:28, 45:1 ('my shepherd,' 'my anointed'). Yet Cyrus didn't know God (Isaiah 45:4-5). This reveals God's sovereign use of pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes—Cyrus was God's unconscious instrument.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture repeat prophetic formulas (like the lion from Jordan) across different contexts?
  2. How do God's rhetorical questions deconstruct human claims to autonomy and authority?
  3. What does God's appointment of Cyrus teach about His ability to use anyone—even pagan kings—for His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
הִ֠נֵּה1 of 27
H2009

lo!

כְּאַרְיֵ֞ה2 of 27

like a lion

H738

a lion

יַעֲלֶ֨ה3 of 27

Behold he shall come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִגְּא֣וֹן4 of 27

from the swelling

H1347

the same as h1346

הַיַּרְדֵּן֮5 of 27

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

אֶל6 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְוֵ֣ה7 of 27

unto the habitation

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

אֵיתָן֒8 of 27

of the strong

H386

permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain

כִּֽי9 of 27
H3588

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

אַרְגִּ֤עָה10 of 27

them suddenly

H7280

properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci

אֲרִוצֵם֙11 of 27

but I will make

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ12 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וּמִ֥י13 of 27
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בָח֖וּר14 of 27

from her and who is a chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

אֵלֶ֣יהָ15 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶפְקֹ֑ד16 of 27

man that I may appoint

H6485

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

כִּ֣י17 of 27
H3588

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

מִ֤י18 of 27
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

כָמ֙וֹנִי֙19 of 27
H3644

as, thus, so

וּמִ֣י20 of 27
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יוֹעִדֶ֔נִּי21 of 27

over her for who is like me and who will appoint me the time

H3259

to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi

וּמִֽי22 of 27
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

זֶ֣ה23 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

רֹעֶ֔ה24 of 27

and who is that shepherd

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

אֲשֶׁ֥ר25 of 27
H834

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

יַעֲמֹ֖ד26 of 27

that will stand

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנָֽי׃27 of 27

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi


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 50:44 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 50:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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