King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:30 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:30 in the King James Version says “The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 51:30 · KJV

Context

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.

31

One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,

32

And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—This verse describes Babylon's military collapse through vivid imagery. The "mighty men" (gibborim, גִּבֹּרִים), Babylon's elite warriors, "forborn to fight" (chadelu lehilachem, חָדְלוּ לְהִלָּחֵם)—they ceased fighting, surrendered without battle. This fulfills the earlier prophecy that God would "break in pieces" warriors (v. 20-23).

"They have remained in their holds" describes soldiers retreating to fortifications rather than defending the city. Their paralysis is explained: "their might hath failed" (nashath geburatham, נָשְׁתָה גְּבוּרָתָם)—literally, their strength dried up. The comparison "they became as women" uses ancient Near Eastern military language not to denigrate women but to describe warriors becoming unable to fight—losing masculine warrior identity. Nahum 3:13 uses identical language for Nineveh's defenders.

The burning of dwellingplaces and breaking of bars (beriach, בְּרִיחַ, gate bars) indicates comprehensive conquest. Gate bars symbolized a city's security (1 Kings 4:13; Psalm 147:13); their breaking meant total vulnerability. This connects to Jeremiah 50:36: "A sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed."

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient sources (Herodotus, Xenophon) describe Babylon's unusual conquest: the city was so large that when Persian forces entered through the riverbed (after diverting the Euphrates), fighting occurred in outer districts while the inner city remained unaware until runners brought news—exactly fulfilling verse 31. The Babylonian Chronicle confirms minimal military resistance.

Nabonidus, Babylon's last king, had been absent from the city for years, living in Tema (Arabia), leaving his son Belshazzar in charge. This leadership vacuum contributed to poor military morale. Daniel 5 describes the feast during which Babylon fell—soldiers feasting rather than fighting. The prophecy that warriors would remain in their holds rather than fight was precisely fulfilled. Cyrus's policy of bloodless conquest (confirmed by the Cyrus Cylinder) meant Babylon's gates and bars were broken but the city wasn't destroyed by fire initially—though later rebellions led to burning.

Reflection Questions

  1. What causes divinely appointed defeat where mighty warriors refuse to fight despite superior numbers?
  2. How does Babylon's internal collapse (failed courage) before external conquest illustrate spiritual principles?
  3. What parallels exist between ancient Babylon's military paralysis and modern institutions that collapse from within?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
חָדְלוּ֩1 of 14

“have forborn”

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

גִבּוֹרֵ֨י2 of 14

“The mighty men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

בָבֶ֜ל3 of 14

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

לְהִלָּחֵ֗ם4 of 14

“to fight”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

יָֽשְׁבוּ֙5 of 14

“they have remained”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בַּמְּצָד֔וֹת6 of 14

“in their holds”

H4679

a fastness (as a covert of ambush)

נָשְׁתָ֥ה7 of 14

“hath failed”

H5405

properly, to eliminate, i.e., (intransitively) to dry up

גְבוּרָתָ֖ם8 of 14

“their might”

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

הָי֣וּ9 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְנָשִׁ֑ים10 of 14

“they became as women”

H802

a woman

הִצִּ֥יתוּ11 of 14

“they have burned”

H3341

to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate

מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶ֖יהָ12 of 14

“her dwellingplaces”

H4908

a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w

נִשְׁבְּר֥וּ13 of 14

“are broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

בְרִיחֶֽיהָ׃14 of 14

“her bars”

H1280

a bolt

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 51:30 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 51:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nahum 3:13Jeremiah 50:36-37Isaiah 13:7-8Isaiah 19:16Lamentations 2:9Psalms 76:5

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 51 →

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