Jeremiah 51:57
I 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.
I will make her princes and wise men drunk
This phrase indicates a divine judgment against Babylon's leadership. The imagery of drunkenness symbolizes confusion and helplessness, often used in Scripture to depict God's judgment (Isaiah 29:9-10). The "princes and wise men" represent the ruling class and advisors, highlighting that even the most esteemed and knowledgeable will be rendered powerless. This reflects the futility of human wisdom against divine will (1 Corinthians 1:19-20).

along with her governors, officials, and warriors
The inclusion of "governors, officials, and warriors" emphasizes the totality of Babylon's downfall. These groups represent the administrative and military strength of the empire. Historically, Babylon was known for its formidable military and efficient governance, yet this prophecy foretells their inevitable collapse. This mirrors the fate of other nations that opposed God, such as Egypt (Exodus 14:17-18).

Then they will fall asleep forever and not wake up
The phrase "fall asleep forever" is a metaphor for death, indicating the finality of God's judgment. In biblical terms, sleep often symbolizes death (John 11:11-14). The permanence of this sleep underscores the irreversible nature of Babylon's destruction. This prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC, as recorded in Daniel 5.

declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts
This declaration asserts God's sovereignty and authority over all earthly powers. The title "King" affirms His ultimate rule, while "LORD of Hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes His command over heavenly armies. This title is frequently used in contexts of divine warfare and judgment (1 Samuel 17:45). It reassures believers of God's control over history and His ability to fulfill His promises, foreshadowing the ultimate victory through Christ, the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Babylon
The empire that is the subject of God's judgment in this chapter. Babylon was a powerful and influential city known for its wealth and military might.

2. Officials and Wise Men
These are the leaders and advisors of Babylon, representing the intellectual and political elite who are being judged by God.

3. Governors, Officers, and Warriors
These are the military and administrative leaders of Babylon, symbolizing the strength and defense of the empire.

4. The King, the LORD of Hosts
This refers to God Himself, who is declaring His judgment upon Babylon. "LORD of Hosts" emphasizes His supreme authority and command over heavenly armies.

5. The Event of Judgment
The prophecy of Babylon's downfall, where its leaders will be rendered powerless and will "sleep forever," indicating their ultimate defeat and demise.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and their leaders. No power is beyond His reach or judgment.

The Folly of Human Pride
Human wisdom and strength are futile against God's plans. Pride leads to downfall, as seen in Babylon's leaders.

The Certainty of Divine Judgment
God's declarations are sure and will come to pass. His judgment is both just and inevitable for those who oppose Him.

The Call to Humility and Repentance
Recognizing God's authority should lead us to humility and repentance, avoiding the fate of Babylon.

The Assurance of God's Justice
Believers can trust that God will ultimately bring justice, righting the wrongs of oppressive systems and leaders.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the judgment of Babylon in Jeremiah 51:57 reflect God's sovereignty over human history?

2. In what ways can the pride and self-reliance of Babylon's leaders serve as a warning for us today?

3. How does the imagery of "sleeping forever" in this verse relate to the finality of God's judgment?

4. What parallels can you draw between the fall of Babylon and the warnings given to other nations or individuals in the Bible?

5. How can understanding God's ultimate justice and authority impact our daily lives and decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 47
This chapter also speaks of the downfall of Babylon, highlighting the theme of God's judgment against pride and idolatry.

Daniel 5
The account of Belshazzar's feast, where the Babylonian king and his officials are literally made drunk and face immediate judgment, serves as a historical parallel to this prophecy.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon is echoed in the New Testament, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly powers opposed to God.
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
Affirmation, Age-during, Almighty, Armies, Awake, Awaking, Captains, Caused, Chiefs, Commanders, Declares, Deputies, Drink, Drunk, Eternal, Forever, Governors, Hosts, Mighty, Officers, Ones, Overcome, Perpetual, Prefects, Princes, Rulers, Says, Sleep, Slept, Wake, War, Warriors, Wine, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:57

     5327   governors
     5535   sleep, and death
     8365   wisdom, human
     8366   wisdom, source of

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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