King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:47 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:47 in the King James Version says “Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 51:47 · KJV

Context

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.

49

As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth. As: or, Both Babylon is to fall, O ye slain of Israel, and with Babylon, etc the earth: or, the country

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse reiterates God's judgment against Babylon's idolatry. Graven images (pesilim, פְּסִילִים) refers to carved idols, the physical representations of false gods that dominated Babylonian religion. The phrase I will do judgment uses paqad (פָּקַד), meaning to visit in judgment, attend to, or punish—the same verb used in verse 44 regarding Bel.

Her whole land shall be confounded employs bosh (בּוֹשׁ), meaning to be ashamed, disappointed, or put to shame—the humiliation that comes when one's trust proves worthless. Babylon trusted in Marduk, Ishtar, and other deities; their defeat would expose these gods' impotence. All her slain shall fall in the midst of her indicates Babylon's destruction would occur within the city itself, not primarily in battlefield campaigns. This was fulfilled when Cyrus's forces entered Babylon in 539 BC with minimal resistance, catching the city off-guard during a festival (Daniel 5). The judgment of idols demonstrates a consistent biblical principle: false gods cannot save their worshipers (Isaiah 44:9-20, 46:1-2). Only Yahweh is God; all other worship leads to shame and destruction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's religion was polytheistic and complex, with thousands of deities organized in pantheons. Major gods included Marduk (chief deity), Ishtar (goddess of love and war), Nabu (wisdom), and Shamash (sun god). Massive temple complexes, ziggurats, and elaborate rituals characterized Babylonian worship. The famous ziggurat Etemenanki (possibly the Tower of Babel's location) reached about 300 feet high. When Babylon fell to Cyrus (539 BC), this entire religious system was exposed as powerless to prevent conquest. Cyrus's religious policy was syncretic—he honored various gods pragmatically rather than exclusively promoting any one deity. This effectively ended Marduk worship's supremacy. Archaeological discoveries show Babylonian religious sites fell into decline and eventual ruin, literally fulfilling the prophecy of judgment on graven images.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'idols' (money, power, technology, nationalism) might similarly fail their worshipers when tested by crisis?
  2. How does the shame of false religion contrast with the vindication believers experience when trusting the true God?
  3. What does God's patience in eventually judging Babylon's idolatry teach about His timing and purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
לָכֵן֙1 of 15
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הִנֵּ֣ה2 of 15
H2009

lo!

יָמִ֣ים3 of 15

“Therefore behold the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בָּאִ֔ים4 of 15

“come”

H935

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

וּפָקַדְתִּי֙5 of 15

“that I will do judgment”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עַל6 of 15
H5921

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

פְּסִילֵ֣י7 of 15

“upon the graven images”

H6456

an idol

בָבֶ֔ל8 of 15

“of Babylon”

H894

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

וְכָל9 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אַרְצָ֖הּ10 of 15

“and her whole land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תֵּב֑וֹשׁ11 of 15

“shall be confounded”

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

וְכָל12 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֲלָלֶ֖יהָ13 of 15

“and all her slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

יִפְּל֥וּ14 of 15

“shall fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

בְתוֹכָֽהּ׃15 of 15

“in the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

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 51:47 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 51:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:2Jeremiah 51:52Isaiah 46:1-2Isaiah 21:9Jeremiah 51:18Jeremiah 13:21

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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