Jeremiah 51:55
For the LORD will destroy Babylon; He will silence her mighty voice. The waves will roar like great waters; the tumult of their voices will resound.
For the LORD is destroying Babylon
The phrase "For the LORD" emphasizes the divine authority and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "LORD" is often represented as "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, highlighting His eternal and unchanging nature. This underscores that the actions against Babylon are not merely historical events but are orchestrated by the divine will. The word "destroying" comes from the Hebrew root "shamad," which means to annihilate or bring to ruin. This indicates a complete and utter desolation, reflecting God's judgment against Babylon for its idolatry and oppression. Historically, Babylon was a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God, and its destruction serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from divine commandments.

He will silence her loud voice
The phrase "He will silence" suggests a cessation of Babylon's influence and power. The Hebrew root "shaqat" implies a calming or quieting, indicating that the once-boisterous and arrogant empire will be brought to humility. "Her loud voice" refers to Babylon's dominance and the noise of its bustling activities, symbolizing its cultural, economic, and military might. In the ancient world, Babylon was renowned for its grandeur and influence, often seen as a hub of civilization. The silencing of its voice signifies the end of its era and the futility of human endeavors that oppose God's will.

Their waves roar like mighty waters
The imagery of "waves" and "mighty waters" evokes the chaotic and tumultuous nature of Babylon's downfall. In Hebrew poetry, water often symbolizes chaos and destruction, as seen in the Genesis flood narrative. The roaring of the waves can be seen as the clamor and confusion that accompany Babylon's collapse. Historically, the city was situated near the Euphrates River, and the metaphor of water would resonate with the original audience, illustrating the overwhelming force of God's judgment.

the tumult of their voices resounds
The word "tumult" conveys a sense of disorder and upheaval. The Hebrew root "hamah" suggests a loud, confused noise, akin to the clamor of a city in panic. "Their voices resounds" indicates that the once-proud declarations of Babylon are now reduced to chaos and confusion. This serves as a stark contrast to the earlier "loud voice" of Babylon, now turned into a cacophony of despair. Scripturally, this reflects the theme of divine retribution where the proud are humbled, and the mighty are brought low, reinforcing the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The sovereign God of Israel, who is executing judgment against Babylon.

2. Babylon
A powerful empire known for its wealth and idolatry, which is being judged by God for its sins.

3. Jeremiah
The prophet who conveyed God's messages, including the prophecy of Babylon's destruction.

4. The Mighty Voice of Babylon
Represents the pride, power, and influence of Babylon, which God promises to silence.

5. The Roaring Waves
Symbolic of the overwhelming judgment and chaos that will come upon Babylon.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and empires, regardless of their power or influence. His plans and purposes will prevail.

The Consequences of Pride and Idolatry
Babylon's downfall serves as a warning against pride and idolatry. Nations and individuals must humble themselves before God.

The Certainty of God's Judgment
Just as God fulfilled His promise to destroy Babylon, He will fulfill all His promises, including those of judgment and salvation.

The Power of God's Word
Jeremiah's prophecy reminds us of the power and reliability of God's Word. We can trust His promises and warnings.

Hope Amidst Judgment
Even in the midst of judgment, God provides hope for His people. Believers can find refuge in God's sovereignty and justice.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the destruction of Babylon demonstrate God's sovereignty over the nations?

2. In what ways can the pride and idolatry of Babylon be seen in today's world, and how should Christians respond?

3. How does the prophecy of Babylon's fall in Jeremiah 51:55 connect with the depiction of Babylon in Revelation 18?

4. What lessons can we learn from God's judgment on Babylon about the importance of humility and obedience to God?

5. How can believers find hope and assurance in God's promises, even when facing judgment or difficult circumstances?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 13
This chapter also prophesies the fall of Babylon, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations.

Revelation 18
Describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," drawing parallels to the judgment pronounced in Jeremiah.

Psalm 46
Speaks of God's power over the nations and His ability to bring desolation, similar to His actions against Babylon.

Nahum 1
Highlights God's wrath against His enemies and His power to silence the nations, akin to His judgment on Babylon.
The Duty of Separating from the WorldA.F. Muir
People
Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, Zedekiah
Places
Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, Zion
Topics
Babylon, Billows, Destroy, Destroyed, Destroyeth, Destroys, Din, Enemies, Forth, Laid, Layeth, Laying, Lays, Loud, Making, Mighty, Noise, Noisy, Putting, Rage, Raised, Resound, Resoundeth, Roar, Silence, Sounded, Sounding, Sounds, Spoiled, Spoileth, Spoiling, Stilling, Thundering, Tumult, Uttered, Vanish, Voice, Voices, Waste, Waters, Waves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:55

     5950   silence

Jeremiah 51:55-56

     7217   exile, in Babylon

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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