King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 51:63 Mean?

Jeremiah 51:63 in the King James Version says “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 t...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Jeremiah 51:63 · KJV

Context

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:

64

And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.

Read Jeremiah 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book (וְהָיָה כְּכַלֹּתְךָ לִקְרֹא אֶת־הַסֵּפֶר הַזֶּה, v'hayah k'khallot'kha liqro et-hasefer hazzeh)—After completing the reading, Seraiah must perform symbolic act. That thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates (וְקָשַׁרְתָּ עָלָיו אֶבֶן וְהִשְׁלַכְתּוֹ אֶל־תּוֹךְ פְּרָת, v'qasharta alav even v'hishlakhto el-tokh P'rat)—Tying a stone ensures the scroll sinks. The Euphrates River was Babylon's lifeblood, source of irrigation, transportation, drinking water, defensive moat. Casting the prophecy into Euphrates dramatizes Babylon's drowning in judgment.

This enacted parable visually communicates what words declare: Babylon will sink, never to rise. The scroll's descent into river depths prefigures the empire's descent into historical oblivion. Revelation 18:21 echoes this: an angel throws a millstone into the sea, declaring, 'Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.' Jeremiah's acted prophecy establishes the archetype for eschatological judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Euphrates was central to Babylon's identity and economy (see Isaiah 13:1, the 'burden' against 'the desert of the sea'—perhaps referencing the vast marshlands around Babylon). Cyrus later diverted this river to conquer the city—ironic fulfillment of waters becoming instrument of doom.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the theological significance of prophetic symbolic acts—how do they differ from mere illustration?
  2. Why cast the scroll into the Euphrates specifically rather than destroying it another way?
  3. How does this act prefigure Revelation 18:21's angel casting a millstone into the sea?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהָיָה֙1 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּכַלֹּ֣תְךָ֔2 of 13

“And it shall be when thou hast made an end”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

לִקְרֹ֖א3 of 13

“of reading”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת4 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַסֵּ֣פֶר5 of 13

“this book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

הַזֶּ֑ה6 of 13
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

תִּקְשֹׁ֤ר7 of 13

“that thou shalt bind”

H7194

to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)

עָלָיו֙8 of 13
H5921

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

אֶ֔בֶן9 of 13

“a stone”

H68

a stone

וְהִשְׁלַכְתּ֖וֹ10 of 13

“to it and cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אֶל11 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תּ֥וֹךְ12 of 13

“it into the midst”

H8432

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

פְּרָֽת׃13 of 13

“of Euphrates”

H6578

perath (i.e., euphrates), a river of the east

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 51:63 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 51:63 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 18:21Jeremiah 19:10-11

Places in This Verse

EuphratesRiver · Modern: Euphrates River · 31.00°N, 47.44°E44 verses across 16 books
View all places in Jeremiah 51 →

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