King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:16 in the King James Version says “When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. multitude: or, noise”

Jeremiah 51:16 · KJV

Context

14

The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee. by himself: Heb. by his soul lift up: Heb. utter

15

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

16

When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. multitude: or, noise

17

Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. is brutish: or, is more brutish than to know

18

They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens—this doxology celebrating God's creative power stands in stark contrast to Babylon's impotent idols (verses 17-18). The phrase "multitude of waters" (הֲמוֹן מַיִם, hamon mayim) describes rain clouds responding to God's voice—thunder announcing storms. And he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth—ancient observation of the water cycle: evaporation from "ends of the earth" (קְצֵה הָאָרֶץ, qetseh ha'arets) forms clouds.

He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures—God controls atmospheric phenomena: lightning, rain, wind from His storehouses (אוֹצָר, otzar, treasury, storehouse). This language anthropomorphizes divine providence while asserting absolute sovereignty over nature. The verse parallels Psalm 135:7 nearly verbatim, emphasizing consistent scriptural testimony to God's creative power. Against Babylon's false gods credited with controlling weather, Scripture declares YHWH alone governs creation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse likely quotes from an earlier hymn or psalm, demonstrating Scripture's intertextual nature. The parallel with Psalm 135:7 suggests liturgical usage. In context, this creation theology answers Babylonian religion's claims. Babylonian cosmology attributed weather control to gods like Marduk and Adad. By inserting this doxology in judgment prophecy against Babylon, Jeremiah declares that Israel's God, not Babylon's gods, controls natural forces. When Cyrus conquered Babylon, it vindicated YHWH's superiority over Babylonian deities.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God as Creator and Sustainer of nature strengthen confidence in His control over nations and history?
  2. What does this verse teach about the relationship between God's word ('when he uttereth his voice') and natural phenomena?
  3. In what ways do contemporary idols claim credit for things only God controls, and how should believers respond?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לְק֨וֹל1 of 15

“his voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

תִּתּ֜וֹ2 of 15

“When he uttereth”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הֲמ֥וֹן3 of 15

“there is a multitude”

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

מַ֙יִם֙4 of 15

“of waters”

H4325

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

בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם5 of 15

“in the heavens”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וַיַּ֥עַל6 of 15

“to ascend”

H5927

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

נְשִׂאִ֖ים7 of 15

“and he causeth the vapours”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

מִקְצֵה8 of 15

“from the ends”

H7097

an extremity

אָ֑רֶץ9 of 15

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּרָקִ֤ים10 of 15

“lightnings”

H1300

lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword

לַמָּטָר֙11 of 15

“with rain”

H4306

rain

עָשָׂ֔ה12 of 15

“he maketh”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיּ֥וֹצֵא13 of 15

“and bringeth forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

ר֖וּחַ14 of 15

“the wind”

H7307

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

מֵאֹצְרֹתָֽיו׃15 of 15

“out of his treasures”

H214

a depository

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 51:16 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 51:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 135:7Psalms 18:13Jonah 1:4Jeremiah 10:12-13Job 37:2-11Psalms 46:6

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 51 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 51 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes