Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Babylon’s thick wall will be leveled and her high gates set on fire; the peoples exhaust themselves for nothing, the nations’ labor is only fuel for the flames.” New Living Translation This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: “The thick walls of Babylon will be leveled to the ground, and her massive gates will be burned. The builders from many lands have worked in vain, for their work will be destroyed by fire!” English Standard Version “Thus says the LORD of hosts: The broad wall of Babylon shall be leveled to the ground, and her high gates shall be burned with fire. The peoples labor for nothing, and the nations weary themselves only for fire.” Berean Standard Bible This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” Berean Literal Bible Thus says YHWH of Hosts: “The broad walls of Babylon will be completely stripped down, and her high gates will be burned with fire; the people will toil in vain, and the nations will grow weary at the abundance of the fire.” King James Bible Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary. New King James Version Thus says the LORD of hosts: “The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, And her high gates shall be burned with fire; The people will labor in vain, And the nations, because of the fire; And they shall be weary.” New American Standard Bible This is what the LORD of armies says: “The broad wall of Babylon will be completely demolished, And her high gates will be set on fire; So the peoples will labor for nothing, And the nations become exhausted only for fire.” NASB 1995 Thus says the LORD of hosts, “The broad wall of Babylon will be completely razed And her high gates will be set on fire; So the peoples will toil for nothing, And the nations become exhausted only for fire.” NASB 1977 Thus says the LORD of hosts, “The broad wall of Babylon will be completely razed, And her high gates will be set on fire; So the peoples will toil for nothing, And the nations become exhausted only for fire.” Legacy Standard Bible Thus says Yahweh of hosts, “The broad wall of Babylon will be completely razed, And her high gates will be set on fire; So the peoples will toil for nothing, And the nations become weary only for fire.” Amplified Bible Thus says the LORD of hosts, “The broad wall of Babylon will be completely overthrown and the foundations razed And her high gates will be set on fire; The peoples will labor in vain, And the nations become exhausted [only] for fire [that will destroy their work].” Berean Annotated Bible This is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts says: “Babylon’s (confusion by mixing) thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames. Christian Standard Bible This is what the LORD of Armies says: Babylon’s thick walls will be totally demolished, and her high gates set ablaze. The peoples will have labored for nothing; the nations will weary themselves only to feed the fire. Holman Christian Standard Bible This is what Yahweh of Hosts says: Babylon’s thick walls will be totally demolished, and her high gates consumed by fire. The peoples will have labored for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves only to feed the fire. American Standard Version Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly overthrown, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the peoples shall labor for vanity, and the nations for the fire; and they shall be weary. Contemporary English Version The thick walls of that city will be torn down, and its huge gates burned. Everything that nation worked so hard to gain will go up in smoke. English Revised Version Thus saith the LORD of hosts: The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly overthrown, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the peoples shall labour for vanity, and the nations for the fire; and they shall be weary. GOD'S WORD® Translation This is what the LORD of Armies says: The thick walls of Babylon will be leveled, and its high gates will be set on fire. People exhaust themselves for nothing. The nations wear themselves out only to have a fire. Good News Translation The walls of mighty Babylon will be thrown to the ground, and its towering gates burned down. The work of the nations is all for nothing; their efforts go up in flames. I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken." International Standard Version This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "The broad wall of Babylon will be completely leveled, and its high gate set on fire. and so the peoples toil for nothing, and the nations weary themselves only for fire." NET Bible This is what the LORD who rules over all says, "Babylon's thick wall will be completely demolished. Her high gates will be set on fire. The peoples strive for what does not satisfy. The nations grow weary trying to get what will be destroyed." New Heart English Bible Thus says the LORD: "The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly overthrown, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the peoples shall labor for vanity, and the nations for the fire; and they shall be weary." Webster's Bible Translation Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labor in vain, and the people in the fire, and they shall be weary. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThis is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” World English Bible Yahweh of Armies says: “The wide walls of Babylon will be utterly overthrown. Her high gates will be burned with fire. The peoples will labor for vanity, and the nations for the fire; and they will be weary.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThus said YHWH of Hosts: The wall of Babylon—The broad one—is made utterly bare, "" And her high gates are burned with fire, "" And peoples labor in vain, "" And nations in fire, and have been weary!” Berean Literal Bible Thus says YHWH of Hosts: “The broad walls of Babylon will be completely stripped down, and her high gates will be burned with fire; the people will toil in vain, and the nations will grow weary at the abundance of the fire.” Young's Literal Translation Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, the wall of Babylon -- The broad one -- is utterly made bare, And her high gates with fire are burnt, And peoples labour in vain, And nations in fire, and have been weary! Smith's Literal Translation Thus said Jehovah of armies: The broad walls of Babel being demolished, shall be demolished, and her high gates shall be burnt in fire; the peoples shall labor in vain, the nations for the fire, and they shall be weary. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThus saith the Lord of hosts: That broad wall of Babylon shall be utterly broken down, and her high gates shall be burnt with fire, and the labours of the people shall come to nothing, and of the nations shall go to the fire, and shall perish. Catholic Public Domain Version Thus says the Lord of hosts: “That very wide wall of Babylon will be utterly overturned, and her exalted gates will be burned with fire, and the labors of the people will be as nothing, and the labors of the nations will be sent into the fire and will perish.” New American Bible Thus says the LORD of hosts: The walls of spacious Babylon shall be leveled to the ground, its lofty gates destroyed by fire. The toil of the peoples is for nothing; the nations weary themselves for what the flames consume. New Revised Standard Version Thus says the LORD of hosts: The broad wall of Babylon shall be leveled to the ground, and her high gates shall be burned with fire. The peoples exhaust themselves for nothing, and the nations weary themselves only for fire. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThus says the LORD of hosts: The broad walls of Babylon shall surely be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labor in vain, and the nations shall be weary with fire. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: “The broad walls of Babel shall surely be overthrown, and its high gates shall burn up in fire and the nations shall labor for nothing, and the peoples shall be afflicted in fire OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thus saith the LORD of hosts: The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly overthrown, And her high gates shall be burned with fire; And the peoples shall labour for vanity, And the nations for the fire; And they shall be weary. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thus saith the Lord, The wall of Babylon was made broad, but it shall be completely broken down, and her high gates shall be burnt with fire; and the peoples shall not labour in vain, nor the nations fail in their rule. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Babylon's Punishment…57I will make her princes and wise men drunk, along with her governors, officials, and warriors. Then they will fall asleep forever and not wake up,” declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts. 58This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” Cross References This is what the LORD of Hosts says: Haggai 2:9 The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace, declares the LORD of Hosts.” Zechariah 1:14 Then the angel who was speaking with me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, Zechariah 8:2 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.” “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, Jeremiah 50:15 Raise a war cry against her on every side! She has thrown up her hands in surrender; her towers have fallen; her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take out your vengeance upon her; as she has done, do the same to her. Isaiah 25:12 The high-walled fortress will be brought down, cast to the ground, into the dust. Ezekiel 26:4 They will destroy the walls of Tyre and demolish her towers. I will scrape the soil from her and make her a bare rock. and her high gates consumed by fire. Nehemiah 1:3 And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” Jeremiah 17:27 But if you do not listen to Me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in its gates to consume the citadels of Jerusalem.’” 2 Chronicles 36:19 Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; Haggai 1:6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” Psalm 127:1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. Ecclesiastes 1:3 What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun? the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” Habakkuk 2:13 Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain? Isaiah 47:14 Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. Obadiah 1:18 Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken. Revelation 18:2-3 And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. / All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.” Treasury of Scripture Thus said the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labor in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary. The broad walls of babylon. Jeremiah 51:44 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall. Jeremiah 50:15 Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her. broken. Jeremiah 51:30 The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken. Isaiah 45:1,2 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; … the people Jeremiah 51:9,64 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies… Psalm 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. Jump to Previous Armies Babylon Babylon's Broad Broken Burned Completely Exhausted Fire Flames Folk Fuel Gates High Hosts Labor Nations Overthrown Peoples Razed Themselves Thick Toil Utterly Vain Vanity Wall Walls WearyJump to Next Armies Babylon Babylon's Broad Broken Burned Completely Exhausted Fire Flames Folk Fuel Gates High Hosts Labor Nations Overthrown Peoples Razed Themselves Thick Toil Utterly Vain Vanity Wall Walls WearyJeremiah 51 1. The severe judgment of God against Babylon, in revenge of Israel59. Jeremiah delivers the book of this prophecy to Seraiah, to be cast into Euphrates, 64. in token of the perpetual sinking of Babylon This is what the LORD of Hosts says: This phrase emphasizes the authority and sovereignty of God, often used by prophets to introduce divine pronouncements. The title "LORD of Hosts" underscores God's command over heavenly armies, indicating His power to execute judgment. Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled: and her high gates consumed by fire: So the labor of the people will be for nothing: the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames: Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD of HostsThis title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His ability to execute judgment against Babylon. 2. Babylon A powerful empire known for its grandeur and strength, symbolized by its broad walls and high gates. Babylon represents human pride and opposition to God. 3. The Peoples and Nations Refers to those who labor under Babylon's rule, highlighting the futility of their efforts when opposed to God's will. 4. The Broad Walls and High Gates Symbols of Babylon's might and security, which God declares will be destroyed, demonstrating the futility of human pride and strength against divine judgment. 5. The Flames Represent the destruction and judgment that God will bring upon Babylon, illustrating the ultimate futility of human endeavors apart from God. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsGod is in control of all nations and empires, regardless of their power or influence. We must trust in His ultimate plan and justice. The Futility of Human Pride Human achievements and pride are ultimately futile when they stand in opposition to God. We should seek humility and align our efforts with God's purposes. The Inevitability of Divine Judgment God's judgment is certain and will come to pass. We must live in a way that honors God, knowing that He will hold all accountable. The Importance of Aligning with God's Will Our labor and efforts should be directed by God's will, ensuring that our work is not in vain but contributes to His kingdom. The Call to Repentance and Faithfulness In light of God's judgment, we are called to repent from pride and faithlessness, turning to God with sincere hearts and faithful obedience. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 51:58?2. How does Jeremiah 51:58 illustrate God's power over human pride and achievements? 3. What lessons on humility can we learn from Jeremiah 51:58's message? 4. How does Jeremiah 51:58 connect with the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11? 5. In what ways can we apply the warning in Jeremiah 51:58 today? 6. How does "the walls of Babylon will fall" relate to spiritual strongholds? 7. What does Jeremiah 51:58 reveal about God's power over human empires? 8. How does Jeremiah 51:58 reflect the theme of divine judgment? 9. What historical context surrounds the prophecy in Jeremiah 51:58? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 51? 11. Jeremiah 51:26 states no stone from Babylon will ever be used again, yet evidence suggests later civilizations reused its materials--does this contradict the prophecy? 12. Isaiah 47:14 - Where is the historical or scientific evidence of people burning up like stubble as a direct fulfillment of this prophecy? 13. Jeremiah 51:7 calls Babylon a 'golden cup' in God's hand; if God used Babylon, why should the nation be punished? 14. Given the magnitude of Babylon's prominence, why is there limited archaeological evidence of the catastrophic ruin described in Jeremiah 50:46? What Does Jeremiah 51:58 Mean This is what the LORD of Hosts says- The verse opens with God’s own declaration, reminding us that the message comes from “the LORD of Hosts”—the Commander of angelic armies (Jeremiah 10:16; Isaiah 44:6). - Because the words originate with Him, they carry absolute authority and certainty, just as every earlier promise of judgment or restoration has come to pass (Jeremiah 1:12). Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled - Babylon’s defenses were legendary—walls wide enough for chariots—yet God announces they will “be leveled.” When Cyrus entered the city in 539 BC, its might fell exactly as foretold (Jeremiah 51:37; Isaiah 13:19; Daniel 5:30-31). - The lesson: no human structure, system, or empire stands secure against the Lord’s decree. Psalm 127:1 echoes the point: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Her high gates consumed by fire - Gates symbolize strength and control. God says they will be “consumed by fire,” mirroring earlier prophecies that Babylon’s “bars are broken” (Jeremiah 50:15) and that fire would devour her palaces (Isaiah 47:14). - Fire also anticipates the final, ultimate judgment pictured in Revelation 18:8, where end-times “Babylon” is burned in one hour. What happened historically previews a future, worldwide fulfillment. So the labor of the people will be for nothing - Decades of construction, commerce, and conquest vanish overnight. Habakkuk 2:13 explains, “Is it not from the LORD Almighty that peoples labor only to fuel the fire?” - God exposes the emptiness of achievements pursued without Him. Ecclesiastes 2:11 offers the same verdict: “everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” The nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames - Many peoples were drawn into Babylon, hoping for security and profit. Instead, their efforts only “fuel the flames” of her destruction, much like Revelation 18:9-11 shows merchants weeping over a fallen world system they once enriched. - The principle endures: aligning with a culture opposed to God drains nations and individuals alike, leaving them spent and empty (Jeremiah 51:28; Isaiah 14:4-8). summary Jeremiah 51:58 is God’s unflinching verdict on proud Babylon: impregnable walls crushed, soaring gates burned, years of labor rendered pointless, and every ally left exhausted. The verse affirms that the Lord’s word is sure, human grandeur is fragile, and devotion to worldly security will always disappoint. Our steadfast refuge is not in walls or wealth but in the LORD of Hosts, whose promises never fail. (58) Her high gates shall be burned with fire.--These were part of the works on which Nebuchadnezzar prided himself as the restorer of the city. The inscription already quoted refers to these as well as to the walls: "Babylon is the refuge of the god Merodach. I have finished Imgur Bel, his great enclosure. In the threshold of the great gates I have adjusted folding-doors in brass." (Oppert, ut supra; Comp. also Records of the Past, v. pp. 125, 127).The people shall labour in vain.--The words are all but verbally identical, in some MSS. absolutely so, with those of Habakkuk 2:13. In both the thought is that the stately edifices which had been raised with so much toil by the slave-labour of Nebuchadnezzar's subjects and captives should all be fruitless. The walls of Babylon are described by Herod. (1, 173), possibly with some exaggeration, as 50 cubits (= 75 feet) thick and 200 high. Verse 58. - The broad walls of Babylon... and her high gates. See Herod., 1:179, 181, and the parallel accounts from other authors, cited by Duncker ('Hist. of Antiquity,' 3:373, etc.), who taxes Herodotus with exaggeration, but admits as probable that the walls were not less than forty feet broad. Utterly broken; rather, destroyed even to the ground (literally, made bare). The people; rather, peoples.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew This is whatכֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel of Hosts צְבָא֗וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign says: אָמַ֞ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Babylon’s בָּבֶ֤ל (bā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city thick הָֽרְחָבָה֙ (hā·rə·ḥā·ḇāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7342: Wide, broad walls חֹ֠מוֹת (ḥō·mō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 2346: A wall of protection will be leveled, עַרְעֵ֣ר (‘ar·‘êr) Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute Strong's 6209: To bare, to demolish and her high הַגְּבֹהִ֖ים (hag·gə·ḇō·hîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 1364: Elevated, powerful, arrogant gates וּשְׁעָרֶ֥יהָ (ū·šə·‘ā·re·hā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate consumed יִצַּ֑תּוּ (yiṣ·ṣat·tū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3341: To burn, set on fire, to desolate by fire. בָּאֵ֣שׁ (bā·’êš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire So the labor וְיִֽגְע֨וּ (wə·yiḡ·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3021: To gasp, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil of the people עַמִּ֧ים (‘am·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock will be for nothing; רִ֛יק (rîq) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7385: Emptiness, a worthless thing, in vain the nations וּלְאֻמִּ֥ים (ū·lə·’um·mîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3816: A community will exhaust themselves וְיָעֵֽפוּ׃ (wə·yā·‘ê·p̄ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3286: To be weary, faint to fuel the flames.” אֵ֖שׁ (’êš) Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire Links Jeremiah 51:58 NIVJeremiah 51:58 NLT Jeremiah 51:58 ESV Jeremiah 51:58 NASB Jeremiah 51:58 KJV Jeremiah 51:58 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 51:58 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 51:58 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 51:58 French Bible Jeremiah 51:58 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 51:58 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: The broad (Jer.) |
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