King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:37 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:37 in the King James Version says “And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.”

Jeremiah 51:37 · KJV

Context

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

36

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.

37

And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.

38

They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps. yell: or, shake themselves

39

In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant. This verse pronounces Babylon's complete desolation, using four vivid images of abandonment and curse. Heaps translates gallim (גַּלִּים), meaning ruins, mounds of rubble—cities reduced to archaeological tells. A dwellingplace for dragons uses me'on tannim (מְעוֹן תַּנִּים)—tannim can mean jackals, serpents, or sea monsters. Wild animals inhabiting ruins symbolize utter desolation and reversal of civilization (Isaiah 13:21-22, 34:13).

An astonishment (shammah, שַׁמָּה) denotes horror, desolation, something shocking and appalling to behold. An hissing (šereqah, שְׁרֵקָה) refers to the sound of scorn and mockery—passersby whistle in derision at the ruins (Jeremiah 19:8, Lamentations 2:15). Without an inhabitant (me'en yoshev, מֵאֵין יוֹשֵׁב) declares total abandonment—not merely defeated but uninhabited, erased from living civilization.

This prophecy contrasts sharply with Babylon's glory in Jeremiah's day—the Hanging Gardens, massive walls, the Ishtar Gate, and thriving population. Yet it fulfilled precisely: by medieval times, Babylon was abandoned ruins. Saddam Hussein's attempted reconstruction in the 1980s never restored the city to inhabited status. The fulfillment validates biblical prophecy and warns that pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Jeremiah prophesied Babylon's desolation (c. 594-570 BC), the city was at its zenith—Nebuchadnezzar's building projects made it one of the ancient world's wonders. The prophecy seemed absurd: how could such a magnificent, powerful city become uninhabited ruins? Yet history fulfilled it precisely. After Cyrus conquered Babylon (539 BC), the city began declining. Alexander the Great planned to rebuild it as his capital but died before accomplishing this (323 BC). The Seleucid dynasty founded a new capital (Seleucia) nearby, drawing population away. By the 2nd century AD, Babylon was largely abandoned. By medieval Islamic conquest, it was ruins. The phrase 'without an inhabitant' remains true—modern Iraq contains many cities, but Babylon itself is uninhabited archaeological ruins. This stands in remarkable contrast to Damascus, Jerusalem, and other ancient cities that remain inhabited. The precise fulfillment demonstrates God's sovereignty over history.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Babylon's literal fulfillment of becoming 'heaps' and 'without an inhabitant' validate biblical prophecy and God's sovereign control over empires?
  2. What does the imagery of 'dragons' (wild animals) dwelling in Babylon's ruins symbolize about the reversal of human pride and civilization?
  3. How should Babylon's fate warn modern nations and individuals about the dangers of pride, oppression, and opposing God's purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְהָיְתָה֩1 of 9
H1961

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

בָבֶ֨ל׀2 of 9

“And Babylon”

H894

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

לְגַלִּ֧ים׀3 of 9

“shall become heaps”

H1530

something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)

מְעוֹן4 of 9

“a dwellingplace”

H4583

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

תַּנִּ֛ים5 of 9

“for dragons”

H8577

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

שַׁמָּ֥ה6 of 9

“an astonishment”

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

וּשְׁרֵקָ֖ה7 of 9

“and an hissing”

H8322

a derision

מֵאֵ֥ין8 of 9
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יוֹשֵֽׁב׃9 of 9

“without an inhabitant”

H3427

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

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 51:37 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 51:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 18:2Jeremiah 18:16Jeremiah 25:9Jeremiah 51:25-26Revelation 18:21-23Jeremiah 25:12

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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