King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:27 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:27 in the King James Version says “Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together aga...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.”

Jeremiah 51:27 · KJV

Context

25

Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.

26

And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD. desolate: Heb. everlasting desolations

27

Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.

28

Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.

29

And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers—God summons a multinational coalition to execute judgment on Babylon. The "standard" (nes, נֵס) was a military rallying flag; the trumpet (shophar, שׁוֹפָר) signaled war. This divine call to arms demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations—He orchestrates their military movements to fulfill His purposes.

The kingdoms named—Ararat (Armenia), Minni (Manneans south of Lake Urmia), and Ashchenaz (Scythians)—were northern peoples incorporated into the Median and Persian empires. Their mention shows prophetic precision: these specific peoples would participate in Babylon's conquest under Cyrus. The term "captain" (tipsar, טִפְסָר) is actually an Akkadian loanword meaning "tablet-writer" or "recruiting officer"—someone who musters troops.

The simile "horses...as the rough caterpillers" (yelek samer, יֶלֶק סָמָר) refers to bristling locusts in their most destructive stage. Joel 1-2 uses locust imagery for invading armies; Jeremiah applies it to the Medo-Persian cavalry that would swarm Babylon. The imagery emphasizes overwhelming numbers and unstoppable advance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Cyrus the Great unified the Median and Persian kingdoms (550 BCE), incorporating northern territories including Ararat (Urartu/Armenia), Minni (Mannai), and Scythian tribes. His 539 BCE campaign against Babylon was indeed a multinational coalition exactly as prophesied.

The Nabonidus Chronicle and Cyrus Cylinder describe the conquest. Babylon's last king, Nabonidus, had alienated subject peoples through religious policies, and many welcomed Cyrus as liberator. The Persian cavalry was legendary—Herodotus describes their numbers and effectiveness. The prophecy's specific mention of these northern kingdoms, given decades before Babylon's fall, demonstrates divine foreknowledge. Jeremiah couldn't have known through natural means which specific coalition would conquer Babylon—only God knew.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's summoning of specific nations against Babylon demonstrate His sovereignty over international affairs?
  2. What does the locust imagery teach about the irresistible nature of divine judgment?
  3. How should believers respond knowing God orchestrates world events, including military conflicts, for His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
שְׂאוּ1 of 22

“Set ye up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

נֵ֣ס2 of 22

“a standard”

H5251

a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token

בָּאָ֗רֶץ3 of 22

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תִּקְע֨וּ4 of 22

“blow”

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

שׁוֹפָ֤ר5 of 22

“the trumpet”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

גּוֹיִ֔ם6 of 22

“among the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

קַדְּשׁ֤וּ7 of 22

“prepare”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

עָלֶ֙יהָ֙8 of 22
H5921

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

גּוֹיִ֔ם9 of 22

“among the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הַשְׁמִ֧יעוּ10 of 22

“against her call together”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

עָלֶ֛יהָ11 of 22
H5921

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

מַמְלְכ֥וֹת12 of 22

“against her the kingdoms”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

אֲרָרַ֖ט13 of 22

“of Ararat”

H780

ararat (or rather armenia)

מִנִּ֣י14 of 22

“Minni”

H4508

minni, an armenian province

וְאַשְׁכְּנָ֑ז15 of 22

“and Ashchenaz”

H813

ashkenaz, a japhethite, also his descendants

פִּקְד֤וּ16 of 22

“appoint”

H6485

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

עָלֶ֙יהָ֙17 of 22
H5921

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

טִפְסָ֔ר18 of 22

“a captain”

H2951

a military governor

הַֽעֲלוּ19 of 22

“to come up”

H5927

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

ס֖וּס20 of 22

“against her cause the horses”

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

כְּיֶ֥לֶק21 of 22

“caterpillers”

H3218

a devourer; specifically, the young locust

סָמָֽר׃22 of 22

“as the rough”

H5569

bristling, i.e., shaggy

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 51:27 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 51:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 10:3Genesis 8:41 Chronicles 1:6Jeremiah 25:14Jeremiah 51:12Jeremiah 50:2

Places in This Verse

AraratRegion · Modern: Urartu · 39.70°N, 44.30°E4 verses across 4 books
AshkenazRegion · Modern: Scythian Neapolis · 44.94°N, 34.12°E1 verse across 1 book
BabyloniaRegion · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E15 verses across 2 books
MinniRegion · Modern: Qalaichi · 36.57°N, 46.28°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Jeremiah 51 →

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