King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:52 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:52 in the King James Version says “Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her la...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.”

Jeremiah 51:52 · KJV

Context

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.

52

Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.

53

Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.

54

A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images (לָכֵן הִנֵּה־יָמִים בָּאִים וּפָקַדְתִּי עַל־פְּסִילֶיהָ, lakhen hinneh-yamim ba'im ufaqadti al-pesileha)—God's paqad (visitation/judgment) will target Babylon's idols. Since they violated God's sanctuary, He'll destroy theirs. And through all her land the wounded shall groan (וּבְכָל־אַרְצָהּ יֶאֱנֹק חָלָל, uv'khol-artsah ye'enoq chalal)—Babylon's entire territory will echo with groans of the chalal (pierced/slain).

This verse connects temple desecration (v. 51) to idol judgment—measure for measure. Babylon's gods couldn't prevent their own temples' downfall (Isaiah 46:1-2 mocks Bel and Nebo being carted into exile). The groan of Babylon's wounded answers the groan of Jerusalem's slain. God's justice is precise: the punishment fits the crime. This principle, terrifying for perpetrators, comforts victims: God sees every injustice and will balance the scales. No wound goes unavenged; no tear unnoticed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Xerxes I suppressed a Babylonian revolt (484 BC), he demolished religious structures and melted down Marduk's golden statue—fulfilling the judgment on idols. Later conquests further damaged Babylon's temples. The groaning of wounded throughout the land occurred across multiple invasions: Cyrus (539 BC), Xerxes (484 BC), Alexander (323 BC).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment on Babylon's idols vindicate His own sanctuary's honor?
  2. What does the principle of measure-for-measure judgment reveal about God's justice?
  3. In what ways should Christians anticipate God avenging wrongs done to His people and His name?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 13
H3651

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

הִנֵּֽה2 of 13
H2009

lo!

יָמִ֤ים3 of 13

“Wherefore 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

בָּאִים֙4 of 13

“come”

H935

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

נְאֻם5 of 13

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 13

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וּפָקַדְתִּ֖י7 of 13

“that I will do judgment”

H6485

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

עַל8 of 13
H5921

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

פְּסִילֶ֑יהָ9 of 13

“upon her graven images”

H6456

an idol

וּבְכָל10 of 13
H3605

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

אַרְצָ֖הּ11 of 13

“and through all her land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יֶאֱנֹ֥ק12 of 13

“shall groan”

H602

to shriek

חָלָֽל׃13 of 13

“the wounded”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

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 51:52 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 51:52 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:47Jeremiah 50:38Ezekiel 30:24Isaiah 13:15-16Daniel 5:30-31

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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