King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 51:28 Mean?
“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.”
Jeremiah 51:28 · KJV
Context
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.
30
The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryPrepare 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—This verse specifies the Medes as the primary agents of Babylon's destruction, along with their administrative structure: kings (malakhim), captains (pachot, governors), and rulers (seganim, prefects). The comprehensive listing—"all the land of his dominion"—emphasizes the totality of forces arrayed against Babylon.
The prominence of "the Medes" is significant. Isaiah 13:17 and 21:2 also identify the Medes as Babylon's destroyers. Historically, Media and Persia unified under Cyrus (a Persian king who inherited the Median throne), so "Medes" functions as shorthand for the Medo-Persian coalition. Daniel's prophecy describes this empire as the "breast and arms of silver" (Daniel 2:32, 39) and the "bear" (Daniel 7:5).
The command "Prepare" (qadesh, קַדֵּשׁ) literally means "consecrate" or "sanctify"—the same word used for holy war (Joel 3:9). Though pagan, these nations are consecrated for God's purposes, demonstrating that God's sovereignty extends over all nations, using even unbelievers to accomplish His righteous judgments.
The prominence of "the Medes" is significant. Isaiah 13:17 and 21:2 also identify the Medes as Babylon's destroyers. Historically, Media and Persia unified under Cyrus (a Persian king who inherited the Median throne), so "Medes" functions as shorthand for the Medo-Persian coalition. Daniel's prophecy describes this empire as the "breast and arms of silver" (Daniel 2:32, 39) and the "bear" (Daniel 7:5).
The command "Prepare" (qadesh, קַדֵּשׁ) literally means "consecrate" or "sanctify"—the same word used for holy war (Joel 3:9). Though pagan, these nations are consecrated for God's purposes, demonstrating that God's sovereignty extends over all nations, using even unbelievers to accomplish His righteous judgments.
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Historical & Cultural Context
The Medes had been Babylon's allies in destroying Assyria (612 BCE), but relationships soured. By Nabonidus's reign (556-539 BCE), the Median Empire had been absorbed by Cyrus of Persia through inheritance and conquest (550 BCE). Cyrus united the Medes and Persians into a single empire that conquered Lydia (547 BCE) before turning against Babylon.
The political structure described—kings, governors, prefects—accurately reflects Medo-Persian administration. The "kings of the Medes" (plural) likely refers to vassal kings under Cyrus's supreme authority. Ancient sources (Herodotus, Xenophon, Babylonian Chronicle) describe the 539 BCE conquest led by Cyrus's general Gobryas (Ugbaru), with Cyrus entering Babylon later. The multinational army included troops from all territories under Medo-Persian dominion, precisely fulfilling this prophecy.
The political structure described—kings, governors, prefects—accurately reflects Medo-Persian administration. The "kings of the Medes" (plural) likely refers to vassal kings under Cyrus's supreme authority. Ancient sources (Herodotus, Xenophon, Babylonian Chronicle) describe the 539 BCE conquest led by Cyrus's general Gobryas (Ugbaru), with Cyrus entering Babylon later. The multinational army included troops from all territories under Medo-Persian dominion, precisely fulfilling this prophecy.
Reflection Questions
- What does God's use of the Medes—former Babylonian allies—teach about the instability of political alliances?
- How does the concept of 'consecrating' pagan nations for God's purposes challenge our understanding of His sovereignty?
- What parallels exist between ancient empires' rise and fall and modern geopolitical shifts?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 15 wordsקַדְּשׁ֨וּ1 of 15
“Prepare”
H6942to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
עָלֶ֤יהָ2 of 15
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גוֹיִם֙3 of 15
“against her the nations”
H1471a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֶת4 of 15
H854properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֶת7 of 15
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת9 of 15
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל10 of 15
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְאֵ֖ת12 of 15
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל13 of 15
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
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 51:28 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 51:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge