King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:46 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:46 in the King James Version says “And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler. lest: or, let not”

Jeremiah 51:46 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

44

And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.

45

My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.

46

And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler. lest: or, let not

47

Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her. do: Heb. visit upon

48

Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler. This verse addresses Jewish exiles in Babylon who might become anxious about geopolitical instability surrounding Babylon's fall. Lest your heart faint translates pen-yirakh levavkem (פֶּן־יֵרַךְ לְבַבְכֶם), literally "lest your heart become soft/weak." The warning concerns rumours (shemu'ah, שְׁמוּעָה)—reports of conflict, conspiracy, and political upheaval.

The prophecy predicts successive waves of alarming news: a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year—indicating prolonged instability before Babylon's final fall. This historical detail demonstrates prophetic precision: the period 553-539 BC saw increasing Persian pressure on Babylon, internal power struggles, and shifting alliances. Ruler against ruler likely refers to conflicts between Nabonidus (Babylon's last king) and his son Belshazzar (co-regent), plus external threats from Cyrus. God warns His people not to panic during these tumultuous times because He orchestrates these events for their ultimate deliverance. This principle appears throughout Scripture: believers should not fear world chaos because God remains sovereign (Psalm 46:1-3, Matthew 24:6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The years leading to Babylon's fall were marked by political intrigue. Nabonidus (r. 556-539 BC) was an unpopular king who spent years away from Babylon pursuing religious interests in Tema (Arabia), leaving his son Belshazzar as co-regent. This created tension and instability. Meanwhile, Cyrus of Persia was rapidly conquering neighboring territories. For Jewish exiles, this upheaval was both terrifying (their host nation crumbling) and hopeful (potential liberation). Jeremiah's prophecy prepared them psychologically and spiritually: these "rumours" were signs of God's judgment unfolding, not random chaos to fear. Daniel lived through this period, interpreting the handwriting on the wall the night Babylon fell (Daniel 5). The Jewish community needed faith to trust God's purposes amid instability rather than either assimilating into Babylonian culture or despairing of deliverance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers today respond to alarming geopolitical "rumours" and instability in light of God's sovereignty?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's pastoral care for His people's emotional and spiritual well-being during turbulent times?
  3. How can we distinguish between appropriate concern for world events and the fear and anxiety God warns against?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּפֶן1 of 18
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יֵרַ֤ךְ2 of 18

“faint”

H7401

to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively

לְבַבְכֶם֙3 of 18

“And lest your heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וְתִֽירְא֔וּ4 of 18

“and ye fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

הַשְּׁמוּעָ֔ה5 of 18

“a rumour”

H8052

something heard, i.e., an announcement

הַנִּשְׁמַ֣עַת6 of 18

“that shall be heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בָּאָ֔רֶץ7 of 18

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּבָ֧א8 of 18

“shall both come”

H935

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

בַּשָּׁנָה֙9 of 18

“one year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַשְּׁמוּעָ֔ה10 of 18

“a rumour”

H8052

something heard, i.e., an announcement

וְאַחֲרָ֤יו11 of 18

“and after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

בַּשָּׁנָה֙12 of 18

“one year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַשְּׁמוּעָ֔ה13 of 18

“a rumour”

H8052

something heard, i.e., an announcement

וְחָמָ֣ס14 of 18

“and violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

בָּאָ֔רֶץ15 of 18

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מֹשֵֽׁל׃16 of 18

“against ruler”

H4910

to rule

עַל17 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מֹשֵֽׁל׃18 of 18

“against ruler”

H4910

to rule

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 51:46 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 51:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 19:2Isaiah 13:3-52 Kings 19:7Isaiah 21:2-3Mark 13:7-8Luke 21:9-19

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