King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:3 in the King James Version says “Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spa...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.”

Jeremiah 51:3 · KJV

Context

1

Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind; midst: Heb. heart

2

And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.

3

Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.

4

Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.

5

For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow—God commands the invaders to show no mercy to Babylon's warriors. The repetition of 'bend' (darak, דָּרַךְ, to tread, bend the bow) emphasizes aggressive combat. And against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine—the siryon (סִרְיוֹן, coat of mail, scale armor) represents military preparedness, but even Babylon's best-equipped soldiers cannot withstand God's judgment.

And spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host—the command for complete military annihilation echoes the herem (חֶרֶם, devoted to destruction) applied to Canaanite cities. God's instrument of judgment (Babylon) becomes the object of judgment. The 'young men' (bachurim, בַּחוּרִים) and 'host' (tsava, צָבָא, army) represent Babylon's military might, which will be comprehensively destroyed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's army, famous for conquering the known world, suffered decisive defeat. When Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, resistance was minimal. The Nabonidus Chronicle records that 'the army of Cyrus entered Babylon without battle.' Subsequent Babylonian revolts (522 BC, 484 BC) were crushed by Persian forces. Xerxes I particularly devastated Babylon after the 484 BC revolt, destroying its fortifications and military capacity. The mighty army that terrorized nations was indeed 'utterly destroyed.'

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's command to 'spare not' teach about the severity and completeness of divine judgment?
  2. How does the destruction of Babylon's military might demonstrate that physical strength and weapons are powerless against God's purposes?
  3. What does this verse teach about the accountability of military forces that serve unjust empires?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אֶֽל1 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַדֹּרֵךְ֙2 of 15

“Against him that bendeth”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

הַדֹּרֵךְ֙3 of 15

“Against him that bendeth”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

הַדֹּרֵךְ֙4 of 15

“Against him that bendeth”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

קַשְׁתּ֔וֹ5 of 15

“his bow”

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

וְאֶל6 of 15
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִתְעַ֖ל7 of 15

“and against him that lifteth himself up”

H5927

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

בְּסִרְיֹנ֑וֹ8 of 15

“in his brigandine”

H5630

a coat of mail

וְאַֽל9 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תַּחְמְלוּ֙10 of 15

“and spare”

H2550

to commiserate; by implication, to spare

אֶל11 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בַּ֣חֻרֶ֔יהָ12 of 15

“ye not her young men”

H970

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

הַחֲרִ֖ימוּ13 of 15

“destroy ye utterly”

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

כָּל14 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָאָֽהּ׃15 of 15

“all her host”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

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 51:3 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 51:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:14Jeremiah 46:4Jeremiah 50:21Isaiah 13:10-18Deuteronomy 32:25James 2:13

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