King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 51:32 Mean?
“And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.”
Jeremiah 51:32 · KJV
Context
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.
33
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come. it is: or, in the time that he thresheth her
34
Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted. This verse continues the description of Babylon's sudden fall, depicting military collapse from multiple angles. The passages are stopped (Hebrew ma'barot, מַעְבָּרוֹת) refers to river fords and crossing points—strategic locations controlling movement across the Euphrates. Cyrus's forces seized these crossings, cutting off escape and reinforcement routes.
The reeds they have burned with fire likely refers to burning the marshlands and reed barriers that protected Babylon's waterways, a scorched-earth tactic destroying defensive positions. The Hebrew agamim (אֲגַמִּים) denotes pools, marshes, or reed-thickets. The men of war are affrighted uses nivhalu (נִבְהָלוּ), meaning terrified, dismayed, thrown into panic—describing complete demoralization. Elite warriors, once confident in Babylon's impregnability, now flee in terror.
This military description fulfills Isaiah's prophecy that Babylon's mighty men would cease fighting, their strength would fail, and they would become like women (Isaiah 51:30). The panic echoes Exodus descriptions of God throwing enemies into confusion (Exodus 23:27). Revelation 18:10 depicts similar sudden destruction of eschatological Babylon, warning that earthly power collapses instantly when God judges.
The reeds they have burned with fire likely refers to burning the marshlands and reed barriers that protected Babylon's waterways, a scorched-earth tactic destroying defensive positions. The Hebrew agamim (אֲגַמִּים) denotes pools, marshes, or reed-thickets. The men of war are affrighted uses nivhalu (נִבְהָלוּ), meaning terrified, dismayed, thrown into panic—describing complete demoralization. Elite warriors, once confident in Babylon's impregnability, now flee in terror.
This military description fulfills Isaiah's prophecy that Babylon's mighty men would cease fighting, their strength would fail, and they would become like women (Isaiah 51:30). The panic echoes Exodus descriptions of God throwing enemies into confusion (Exodus 23:27). Revelation 18:10 depicts similar sudden destruction of eschatological Babylon, warning that earthly power collapses instantly when God judges.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse describes the night of October 12, 539 BC, when Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon. Historical accounts (including Herodotus and the Nabonidus Chronicle) confirm that Cyrus diverted the Euphrates River, allowing his troops to enter Babylon through the riverbed under the city walls. The Babylonians were celebrating a festival when the attack came, explaining their unpreparedness. The strategic crossings and waterways that once protected Babylon became avenues of conquest. King Belshazzar (acting for his father Nabonidus) was killed that night (Daniel 5:30). The conquest was so swift and efficient that many citizens didn't realize their city had fallen until morning. This fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy written decades earlier and vindicated God's word through multiple prophets.
Reflection Questions
- How does Babylon's sudden military collapse illustrate that human strength and fortifications cannot stand against God's judgment?
- What does the panic of Babylon's warriors teach about the fate of those who oppose God's purposes?
- How does this historical fulfillment of prophecy strengthen our confidence in God's control over human empires and history?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsוְהַמַּעְבָּר֣וֹת1 of 9
“And that the passages”
H4569a crossing-place (of a river, a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, i.e., (figuratively) overwhelming
נִתְפָּ֔שׂוּ2 of 9
“are stopped”
H8610to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
וְאֶת3 of 9
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאֲגַמִּ֖ים4 of 9
“and the reeds”
H98a marsh; hence a rush (as growing in swamps); hence a stockade of reeds
וְאַנְשֵׁ֥י7 of 9
H376a 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)
נִבְהָֽלוּ׃9 of 9
“are affrighted”
H926to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously
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 51:32 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 51:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge