King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 51:55 Mean?
“Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:”
Jeremiah 51:55 · KJV
Context
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:
55
Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
56
Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.
57
And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryBecause the LORD hath spoiled Babylon (כִּי־שֹׁדֵד יְהוָה אֶת־בָּבֶל, ki-shoded YHWH et-Bavel)—Active divine agency: God is the Spoiler. Babylon, archetypal plunderer of nations, is herself plundered by Yahweh personally. And destroyed out of her the great voice (וְאִבַּד מִמֶּנָּה קוֹל גָּדוֹל, v'ibbed mimmenah qol gadol)—The 'great voice' of Babylon (imperial edicts, temple chants, marketplace bustle, military commands) falls silent. Abad (destroy/perish) is total cessation.
When her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered (וְהָמוּ גַלֵּיהֶם כְּמַיִם רַבִּים נִתַּן שְׁאוֹן קוֹלָם, v'hamu galeihem k'mayim rabbim nittan sh'on qolam)—The metaphor shifts: Babylon's 'waves' (armies? populace?) roar like floodwaters, but this roar is death-throe, not triumph. The cacophony of collapse replaces the hum of civilization. Just as God drowned Pharaoh's army in waters (Exodus 15), He drowns Babylon in chaos. The sea-imagery suggests primordial uncreation—Babylon returns to tohu vavohu (Genesis 1:2).
When her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered (וְהָמוּ גַלֵּיהֶם כְּמַיִם רַבִּים נִתַּן שְׁאוֹן קוֹלָם, v'hamu galeihem k'mayim rabbim nittan sh'on qolam)—The metaphor shifts: Babylon's 'waves' (armies? populace?) roar like floodwaters, but this roar is death-throe, not triumph. The cacophony of collapse replaces the hum of civilization. Just as God drowned Pharaoh's army in waters (Exodus 15), He drowns Babylon in chaos. The sea-imagery suggests primordial uncreation—Babylon returns to tohu vavohu (Genesis 1:2).
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Babylon's 'voice'—Marduk's cult, royal decrees, commercial activity—did cease. The vibrant city became backwater, then ruins. The 'roaring waves' may reference panic during conquest, or metaphorically, the overwhelming chaos that consumed Babylon's order. Either way, the 'great voice' was indeed silenced.
Reflection Questions
- What does the silencing of Babylon's 'great voice' teach about the temporal nature of earthly power and culture?
- How does the water/flood imagery connect Babylon's judgment to other biblical judgments (Flood, Red Sea)?
- In what ways does civilization's collapse represent a kind of 'uncreation' under divine curse?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 16 wordsכִּֽי1 of 16
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שֹׁדֵ֤ד2 of 16
“hath spoiled”
H7703properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
יְהוָה֙3 of 16
“Because the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת4 of 16
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאִבַּ֥ד6 of 16
“and destroyed”
H6properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
וְהָמ֤וּ10 of 16
“do roar”
H1993to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
גַלֵּיהֶם֙11 of 16
“when her waves”
H1530something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)
נִתַּ֥ן14 of 16
“is uttered”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
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 51:55 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 51:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge