Jeremiah 51:4
And they will fall slain in the land of the Chaldeans, and pierced through in her streets.
They will fall slain
This phrase indicates a divine judgment that is both inevitable and severe. The Hebrew root for "fall" (נָפַל, naphal) often conveys a sense of being overpowered or defeated. Historically, this reflects the fate of those who oppose God's will, as seen in the fall of Babylon. The imagery of falling slain underscores the totality of God's judgment against the Chaldeans, who were known for their idolatry and oppression of Israel.

in the land of the Chaldeans
The Chaldeans, synonymous with the Babylonians, were a dominant empire known for their military prowess and cultural achievements. The "land of the Chaldeans" refers to the geographical region of Babylon, a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. This phrase serves as a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly power and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all nations.

and pierced through
The phrase "pierced through" (דָּקַר, daqar) suggests a violent and decisive end. In the context of ancient warfare, being pierced through was a common fate for those defeated in battle. This imagery emphasizes the thoroughness of God's judgment. It is a sobering reminder that those who persist in rebellion against God will face His righteous wrath.

in her streets
The "streets" of Babylon were once bustling with life and activity, representing the height of human civilization and achievement. However, this phrase highlights the reversal of fortune that comes with divine judgment. The public nature of the judgment, occurring in the streets, signifies that God's justice is not hidden but is a visible demonstration of His power and righteousness. It serves as a warning to all who witness it, underscoring the message that no place is beyond the reach of God's justice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah and surrounding nations, including Babylon.

2. Chaldeans
An ancient people who lived in southern Babylonia. The term is often used interchangeably with Babylonians. They were known for their military prowess and played a significant role in the downfall of Jerusalem.

3. Babylon
A powerful empire in ancient Mesopotamia, Babylon was a center of idolatry and opposition to God. It is often symbolically used in the Bible to represent worldly power and rebellion against God.

4. Judgment
The event of divine retribution that God pronounces against Babylon for its sins and oppression of His people. This judgment is a central theme in Jeremiah 51.

5. Slain and Pierced
The imagery of being slain and pierced through signifies the totality and severity of God's judgment against Babylon, emphasizing the certainty of their downfall.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and their destinies. No empire, no matter how powerful, can stand against His will.

The Certainty of Divine Justice
God's justice is sure and will be executed in His perfect timing. This should encourage believers to trust in His righteous judgment.

The Consequences of Sin
Babylon's fall serves as a warning of the consequences of pride, idolatry, and oppression. It reminds us to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion against God.

Hope for the Oppressed
For those who suffer under unjust systems, God's judgment on Babylon is a promise of eventual deliverance and vindication.

Call to Repentance
The prophecy against Babylon is a call to repentance for all who hear it, urging them to turn from sin and seek God's mercy.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the fall of Babylon in Jeremiah 51:4 demonstrate God's sovereignty over human history?

2. In what ways can the judgment of Babylon serve as a warning to modern societies and individuals?

3. How does the imagery of being "slain" and "pierced" in Jeremiah 51:4 relate to the concept of divine justice found throughout the Bible?

4. What parallels can you draw between the fall of Babylon and the ultimate defeat of evil as described in Revelation 18?

5. How can believers find hope and encouragement in the message of God's judgment against Babylon, especially in times of personal or societal injustice?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 13
This chapter also prophesies the fall of Babylon, highlighting the theme of divine judgment against nations that oppose God.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon is echoed in the New Testament, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly systems opposed to God.

Psalm 137
Reflects the sorrow and longing of the Israelites during their Babylonian captivity, providing context for the judgment pronounced in Jeremiah.
The First Place in Our Thought to be Given to Christ's Church
People
Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, Zedekiah
Places
Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, Zion
Topics
Babylon, Chaldaeans, Chaldeans, Chalde'ans, Dead, Fall, Fallen, Fatally, Pierced, Pierced-through, Slain, Streets, Stretched, Thrust, Thus, Wounded
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:3

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Library
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14).
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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