King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 51:61 Mean?
“And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;”
Jeremiah 51:61 · KJV
Context
59
The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And this Seraiah was a quiet prince. with: or, on the behalf of quiet: or, prince of Menucha, or, chief chamberlain
60
So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon.
61
And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words;
62
Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever. desolate: Heb. desolations
63
And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words (וַיֹּאמֶר יִרְמְיָהוּ אֶל־שְׂרָיָה כְּבֹאֲךָ בָבֶל וְרָאִיתָ וְקָרָאתָ אֵת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה, vayyomer Yirmeyahu el-S'rayah k'vo'akha Vavel v'ra'ita v'qarata et kol-had'varim ha'elleh)—Three imperatives: arrive, see, read. Seraiah must publicly proclaim these judgments in Babylon. This was enormously dangerous—denouncing an empire at its capital while part of a vassal king's entourage.
The requirement to 'see' suggests Seraiah should observe Babylon's grandeur before pronouncing its doom—heightening the prophetic audacity. Babylon at its zenith, seemingly invincible, is declared doomed by a foreign prophet's scroll read by a mid-level official. This reverses human wisdom: the world sees power; faith sees coming judgment. The act models Christian proclamation: we announce God's verdicts regardless of visible circumstances, trusting His word over appearances.
The requirement to 'see' suggests Seraiah should observe Babylon's grandeur before pronouncing its doom—heightening the prophetic audacity. Babylon at its zenith, seemingly invincible, is declared doomed by a foreign prophet's scroll read by a mid-level official. This reverses human wisdom: the world sees power; faith sees coming judgment. The act models Christian proclamation: we announce God's verdicts regardless of visible circumstances, trusting His word over appearances.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Public reading of prophetic scrolls was established practice (see Jeremiah 36:6-10). Seraiah likely read this privately or semi-publicly, perhaps to fellow Jews, not in Nebuchadnezzar's throne room. Still, the act was risky. Any informer could have reported seditious content, endangering Zedekiah's delegation.
Reflection Questions
- What does the command to 'see' Babylon before pronouncing judgment teach about faith's relationship to visible reality?
- How does Seraiah's obedience model costly faithfulness to God's word even when personally dangerous?
- In what ways are Christians called to proclaim God's judgments on worldly systems that seem secure and dominant?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 12 wordsוְֽרָאִ֔יתָ7 of 12
“and shalt see”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְֽקָרָ֔אתָ8 of 12
“and shalt read”
H7121to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
אֵ֥ת9 of 12
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל10 of 12
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים11 of 12
“all these words”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
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 51:61 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 51:61 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge