King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:49 Mean?

“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”

Jeremiah 51:49 · KJV

Context

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

50

Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.

51

We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD'S house.

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth. This verse articulates the lex talionis (law of retribution) principle governing Babylon's judgment: As Babylon hath caused... so at Babylon shall fall. The Hebrew construction emphasizes direct correspondence between crime and punishment. Slain (chalalim, חֲלָלִים) refers to those killed in battle or violence—Babylon's military campaigns killed countless people from many nations.

The slain of Israel specifically refers to those killed during Jerusalem's destruction (586 BC) when Babylon slaughtered civilians, soldiers, and priests (2 Kings 25:7, 18-21, Lamentations 2:21). The phrase the slain of all the earth (chalalei kol-ha'arets, חַלְלֵי כָל־הָאָרֶץ) expands the scope—Babylon destroyed numerous nations (Assyria, Egypt, Elam, and many others). Now all these deaths are avenged: at Babylon shall fall the slain, meaning within Babylon's territory, judgment comes. This demonstrates God's justice: He holds nations accountable for bloodshed (Genesis 9:5-6, Revelation 18:24). The principle applies eschatologically—Revelation's "Babylon" will answer for "all the prophets and saints, and all that were slain upon the earth" (Revelation 18:24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's Neo-Babylonian Empire (626-539 BC) built power through brutal military campaigns. Nebuchadnezzar II (r. 605-562 BC) destroyed Jerusalem (586 BC), killing thousands and deporting survivors. Earlier campaigns devastated Egypt (605 BC), Tyre (585-572 BC siege), and numerous smaller nations. Ancient warfare was notoriously cruel—mass executions, forced deportations, and psychological terror were standard practices. The Babylonian Chronicles document these conquests matter-of-factly, showing the empire's pride in military domination. When Cyrus conquered Babylon (539 BC), the death toll was relatively light compared to Babylon's own campaigns, yet the empire's political death was total. The prophecy's fulfillment demonstrates that God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is certain. Every life taken unjustly is remembered by God and will be accounted for—a sobering truth for all nations and individuals.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this principle of reciprocal justice ("as Babylon did, so shall be done to Babylon") reflect God's character?
  2. What does God's remembrance of 'all the slain of the earth' teach about the value of human life and accountability for violence?
  3. How should this prophecy's fulfillment shape our confidence in God's future judgment of evil and vindication of the oppressed?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
גַּם1 of 11

“As”

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

לְבָבֶ֥ל2 of 11

“Babylon”

H894

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

נָפְל֖וּ3 of 11

“shall fall”

H5307

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

חַֽלְלֵ֥י4 of 11

“hath caused the slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל5 of 11

“of Israel”

H3478

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

גַּם6 of 11

“As”

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

לְבָבֶ֥ל7 of 11

“Babylon”

H894

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

נָפְל֖וּ8 of 11

“shall fall”

H5307

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

חַֽלְלֵ֥י9 of 11

“hath caused the slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

כָל10 of 11
H3605

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

הָאָֽרֶץ׃11 of 11

“of all the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 51:49 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 51:49 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:29Jeremiah 51:24Psalms 137:8-9Jeremiah 51:35Jeremiah 50:11Matthew 7:2

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