King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:33 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:33 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thr...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 51:33 · King James Version

Context

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.

35

The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say. The violence: Heb. My violence flesh: or, remainder inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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. This agricultural metaphor depicts divine judgment with pastoral imagery familiar to Jeremiah's audience. The daughter of Babylon (Hebrew bat-Bavel, בַּת־בָּבֶל) personifies the city and empire, highlighting vulnerability despite apparent strength.

Like a threshingfloor uses goren (גֹּרֶן), the hard-packed surface where grain was trampled to separate kernels from chaff. The phrase it is time to thresh her employs et hadrikah (עֵת הַדְרִיכָהּ), denoting the appointed moment for trampling—suggesting divinely ordained timing. The threshing metaphor implies violent separation, crushing, and judgment (Isaiah 21:10, 41:15, Micah 4:12-13).

Yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come introduces temporal tension: preparation (thresh) versus consummation (harvest). The Hebrew qatsir (קָצִיר, harvest) often symbolizes judgment (Joel 3:13, Revelation 14:15-16). The promise of imminent fulfillment—yet a little while—assured exiles that Babylon's apparent invincibility was temporary. This echoes Jesus's parable of the wheat and tares, where harvest represents final judgment (Matthew 13:30, 39). God's patience delays but does not cancel His righteous reckoning.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written during Babylon's zenith of power (likely 594-570 BC), this prophecy seemed improbable. Babylon dominated the ancient Near East, had defeated Assyria, Egypt, and Judah, and appeared unconquerable. Yet Jeremiah declared that Babylon's 'threshing' was prepared and her 'harvest' imminent. Within decades, Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon (539 BC) without significant battle—a bloodless transfer of power that nevertheless ended Babylonian dominance. The agricultural imagery resonated with Israelite farmers who understood that threshing required specific preparation (hard surface, proper timing) and that harvest meant reaping what was sown. Babylon had sown violence, oppression, and idolatry; her harvest would be judgment. This principle extends to all human empires that exalt themselves against God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the threshing/harvest metaphor help us understand divine judgment as both violent and purposeful?
  2. What does God's precise timing ('yet a little while') teach about His sovereignty over human history?
  3. In what ways does this prophecy about historical Babylon inform our understanding of eschatological judgment in Revelation?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּי֩1 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֨ה2 of 18
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֜ר3 of 18

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֤ה4 of 18

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָאוֹת֙5 of 18

“of hosts”

H6635

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י6 of 18

“the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בַּת8 of 18

“The daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

בָּבֶ֕ל9 of 18

“of Babylon”

H894

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

כְּגֹ֖רֶן10 of 18

“is like a threshingfloor”

H1637

a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

עֵֽת11 of 18

“and the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הִדְרִיכָ֑הּ12 of 18

“to thresh”

H1869

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

ע֣וֹד13 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

מְעַ֔ט14 of 18

“her yet a little while”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

וּבָ֥אָה15 of 18

“shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עֵֽת16 of 18

“and the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַקָּצִ֖יר17 of 18

“of her harvest”

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

לָֽהּ׃18 of 18
H0

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 51:33 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 51:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 21:10Joel 3:13Hosea 6:11Micah 4:13Isaiah 41:15-16Revelation 14:15-20

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
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