King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:11 in the King James Version says “Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple. bright: Heb. pure”

Jeremiah 51:11 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

9

We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.

10

The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.

11

Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple. bright: Heb. pure

12

Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon. ambushes: Heb. liers in wait

13

O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Make bright the arrows; gather the shields—the command to polish arrows (Hebrew בָּרוּ, baru, polish, sharpen) and gather shields prepares for battle. The LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes—God's sovereignty extends to pagan rulers' motivations. The phrase "raised up the spirit" (הֵעִיר אֶת־רוּחַ, he'ir et-ruach) indicates divine stirring of human will without violating agency. Cyrus the Persian led the Medo-Persian coalition; Isaiah 45:1 calls him God's "anointed" (משִׁיחַ, mashiach).

For his device is against Babylon, to destroy it—God's purpose (מְזִמָּה, mezimmah, plan, purpose) explicitly targets Babylon's destruction. Because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple—the double emphasis on "vengeance" (נִקְמַת יְהוָה, niqmat YHWH) grounds judgment in Babylon's temple desecration (2 Kings 25:9; Daniel 1:2). God avenges His sanctuary's profanation and His people's suffering.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Medes were historical partners with Persians in the coalition that conquered Babylon. Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great) unified Median and Persian territories, creating the empire that conquered Babylon in 539 BC. The reference to "kings" (plural) may indicate the coalition's multiethnic leadership. The specific mention of temple vengeance recalls Babylon's 586 BC destruction of Solomon's temple and theft of sacred vessels. Cyrus's decree allowing temple rebuilding (Ezra 1:1-4) directly reversed Babylon's temple desecration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God 'raise up the spirit' of rulers to accomplish His purposes while respecting human agency?
  2. What does divine vengeance for temple desecration teach about the seriousness of dishonoring God's worship?
  3. How should Christians understand God using pagan rulers (like Cyrus) to accomplish His redemptive purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
הָבֵ֣רוּ1 of 21

“Make bright”

H1305

to clarify (i.e., brighten), examine, select

הַחִצִּים֮2 of 21

“the arrows”

H2671

properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear

מִלְא֣וּ3 of 21

“gather”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

הַשְּׁלָטִים֒4 of 21

“the shields”

H7982

probably a shield (as controlling, i.e., protecting the person)

הֵעִ֣יר5 of 21

“hath raised up”

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

יְהוָה֙6 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת7 of 21
H853

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

ר֙וּחַ֙8 of 21

“the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

מַלְכֵ֣י9 of 21

“of the kings”

H4428

a king

מָדַ֔י10 of 21

“of the Medes”

H4074

madai, a country of central asia

כִּֽי11 of 21
H3588

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

עַל12 of 21
H5921

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

בָּבֶ֥ל13 of 21

“is against Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

מְזִמָּת֖וֹ14 of 21

“for his device”

H4209

a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)

לְהַשְׁחִיתָ֑הּ15 of 21

“to destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

כִּֽי16 of 21
H3588

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

נִקְמַ֖ת17 of 21

“it because it is the vengeance”

H5360

avengement, whether the act of the passion

יְהוָה֙18 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

הִ֔יא19 of 21
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

נִקְמַ֖ת20 of 21

“it because it is the vengeance”

H5360

avengement, whether the act of the passion

הֵיכָלֽוֹ׃21 of 21

“of his temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

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 51:11 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 51:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 46:4Jeremiah 50:45Jeremiah 46:9Jeremiah 50:9Revelation 17:16-17Psalms 74:3-11

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
MediaRegion · Modern: Tell Hagmatana · 34.81°N, 48.52°E11 verses across 5 books
View all places in Jeremiah 51 →

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