King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:22 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:22 in the King James Version says “With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee w...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;”

Jeremiah 51:22 · KJV

Context

20

Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; with thee: or, in thee, or, by thee

21

And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;

22

With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;

23

I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.

24

And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid—This verse begins a relentless catalog of categories God will shatter using Babylon (the "thee") as His battle-axe (v. 20). The Hebrew verb naphats (נָפַץ, "break in pieces") appears twelve times in verses 20-23, creating a rhythmic, hammer-like effect that mirrors the destruction being described.

The comprehensive pairings—man/woman, old/young, young man/maid—emphasize totality: no demographic is exempt when God executes judgment. This divine use of Babylon as an instrument paradoxically precedes Babylon's own destruction (v. 24), demonstrating God's sovereign ability to employ evil nations as tools of judgment before judging them for their wickedness. The same principle appears in Isaiah 10:5-19 with Assyria as "the rod of mine anger."

Theologically, this passage reveals: (1) God can use wicked instruments to accomplish righteous purposes; (2) being God's tool of judgment doesn't exempt a nation from its own judgment; (3) divine judgment is comprehensive and impartial, affecting all classes and ages; (4) God's justice operates on a scale beyond individual lives, encompassing whole civilizations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah delivered this oracle during Babylon's zenith (605-562 BCE under Nebuchadnezzar), when Babylon functioned as God's chosen instrument to judge Judah (Jeremiah 25:9, 27:6) and surrounding nations. The Babylonian Empire systematically conquered the ancient Near East, breaking in pieces kingdoms from Egypt to Elam.

Yet even as Babylon executed God's judgments, its brutality, pride, and idolatry accumulated divine wrath. The catalog of destruction in verses 22-23 describes what Babylon inflicted on others—particularly Jerusalem in 586 BCE, when Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed the temple, killed young and old, and deported survivors (2 Kings 25; Lamentations). The prophecy announces that Babylon will experience similar comprehensive devastation—fulfilled when Cyrus conquered in 539 BCE.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of Babylon as a judgment tool, followed by Babylon's own judgment, demonstrate divine justice?
  2. What does the comprehensive nature of judgment (all ages, genders, roles) teach about the seriousness of corporate sin?
  3. How should Christians understand God's sovereignty over nations that don't acknowledge Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְנִפַּצְתִּ֣י1 of 12

“With thee also will I break in pieces”

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

בְךָ֙2 of 12
H0
אִ֣ישׁ3 of 12

“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)

וְאִשָּׁ֔ה4 of 12

“and woman”

H802

a woman

וְנִפַּצְתִּ֣י5 of 12

“With thee also will I break in pieces”

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

בְךָ֖6 of 12
H0
זָקֵ֣ן7 of 12

“old”

H2205

old

וָנָ֑עַר8 of 12

“and young”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וְנִפַּצְתִּ֣י9 of 12

“With thee also will I break in pieces”

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

בְךָ֔10 of 12
H0
בָּח֖וּר11 of 12

“the young man”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

וּבְתוּלָֽה׃12 of 12

“and the maid”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

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 51:22 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 51:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 36:17Isaiah 13:181 Samuel 15:3Ezekiel 9:6Lamentations 2:11Jeremiah 6:11

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