Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Attack the land of Merathaim and those who live in Pekod. Pursue, kill and completely destroy them,” declares the LORD. “Do everything I have commanded you. New Living Translation “Go up, my warriors, against the land of Merathaim and against the people of Pekod. Pursue, kill, and completely destroy them, as I have commanded you,” says the LORD. English Standard Version “Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill, and devote them to destruction, declares the LORD, and do all that I have commanded you. Berean Standard Bible Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD. Berean Literal Bible Go up against the land of Merathaim, against it and against those dwelling in Pekod! Slay and devote them to destruction,” a declaration of YHWH, “and do according to all that I have commanded you.” King James Bible Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. New King James Version “Go up against the land of Merathaim, against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Waste and utterly destroy them,” says the LORD, “And do according to all that I have commanded you. New American Standard Bible “Against the land of Merathaim, go up against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill and completely destroy them,” declares the LORD, “And do according to everything that I have commanded you. NASB 1995 “Against the land of Merathaim, go up against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Slay and utterly destroy them,” declares the LORD, “And do according to all that I have commanded you. NASB 1977 “Against the land of Merathaim, go up against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Slay and utterly destroy them,” declares the LORD, “And do according to all that I have commanded you. Legacy Standard Bible “Against the land of Merathaim, go up against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Put them to the sword and devote them to destruction,” declares Yahweh, “And do according to all that I have commanded you. Amplified Bible “Go against [Babylon] the land of Merathaim (Double Rebellion), Go up against it and against the people of Pekod (Punishment). Kill and utterly destroy them,” says the LORD, “And do everything that I have commanded you.” Berean Annotated Bible Go up against the land of Merathaim (double rebellion), and against the residents of Pekod (visitation). Kill them [Avenge, O sword,] and devote them to destruction {cherem}. Do all that I have commanded you, declares the LORD {YHWH}. Christian Standard Bible Attack the land of Merathaim, and those living in Pekod. Put them to the sword; completely destroy them — this is the LORD’s declaration — do everything I have commanded you. Holman Christian Standard Bible “Go against the land of Merathaim, and against those living in Pekod. Put them to the sword; completely destroy them— this is the LORD’s declaration— do everything I have commanded you. American Standard Version Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: slay and utterly destroy after them, saith Jehovah, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. Contemporary English Version The LORD said: I have told the enemies of Babylonia, "Attack the people of Merathaim and Pekod. Kill them all! Destroy their possessions!" English Revised Version Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: slay and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Attack the land of Merathaim and the people who live in Pekod. Claim them for me by killing them with a sword," declares the LORD. "Do everything I commanded you. Good News Translation The LORD says, "Attack the people of Merathaim and of Pekod. Kill and destroy them. Do everything I command you. I, the LORD, have spoken. International Standard Version "Go up against the land of Merathaim and the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill them with swords, and completely destroy them," declares the LORD, "and do everything that I've commanded you. NET Bible The LORD says, "Attack the land of Merathaim and the people who live in Pekod! Pursue, kill, and completely destroy them! Do just as I have commanded you! New Heart English Bible "Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: kill and utterly destroy after them," says the LORD, "and do according to all that I have commanded you. Webster's Bible Translation Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleGo up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD. World English Bible “Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill and utterly destroy after them,” says Yahweh, “and do according to all that I have commanded you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAgainst the land of Merathaim, go up against it, "" And to the inhabitants of Pekod, "" Dry up and devote their posterity,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “And do according to all that I have commanded you. Berean Literal Bible Go up against the land of Merathaim, against it and against those dwelling in Pekod! Slay and devote them to destruction,” a declaration of YHWH, “and do according to all that I have commanded you.” Young's Literal Translation Against the land of Merathaim: Go up against it, and unto the inhabitants of Pekod, Waste and devote their posterity, An affirmation of Jehovah, And do according to all that I have commanded thee. Smith's Literal Translation Go up against the land of double rebellion, against her, and against the inhabitants of Pekod, laying waste and destroying after them, says Jehovah; and do according to all which I commanded thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleGo up against the land of the rulers, and punish the inhabitants thereof, waste, and destroy all behind them, saith the Lord: and do according to all that I have commanded thee. Catholic Public Domain Version Ascend against the land of the rulers, and visit against its inhabitants! Scatter and destroy whatever has been left behind them, says the Lord, and act according to all that I have instructed you. New American Bible Attack the land of Merathaim, and those who live in Pekod; Slaughter and put them under the ban—oracle of the LORD— do all I have commanded you. New Revised Standard Version Go up to the land of Merathaim; go up against her, and attack the inhabitants of Pekod and utterly destroy the last of them, says the LORD; do all that I have commanded you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleGo up against the rebellious land, go up against it, and against its inhabitants; unsheath the sword and destroy them, says the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Come up against the rebellious land! Come up upon it and upon its inhabitants! Wake up, oh sword, and put them to the sword, says LORD JEHOVAH, and do as I have commanded you! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod; Waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, And do according to all that I have commanded thee. Brenton Septuagint Translation on the land, saith the Lord. Go up against it roughly, and against them that dwell on it: avenge, O sword, and destroy utterly, saith the Lord, and do according to all that I command thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Destruction of Babylon21Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD. 22“The noise of battle is in the land—the noise of great destruction.… Cross References Go up against the land of Merathaim, Isaiah 13:17-19 Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. / Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children. / And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. Jeremiah 25:12 But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation. Revelation 18:2 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. and against the residents of Pekod. Ezekiel 23:23-24 the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them—all desirable young men, governors and commanders, officers and men of renown, mounted on horses. / They will come against you with a host of peoples, with weapons, chariots, and wagons. They will array themselves against you on every side with buckler and shield and helmet. I will delegate judgment to them, and they will punish you according to their own standards. Revelation 18:8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” Isaiah 13:11 I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless. Kill them and devote them to destruction. 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” Joshua 6:17 Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. Deuteronomy 20:16-17 However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. / For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD. Joshua 1:7 Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. Joshua 10:40 So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings—leaving no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded. 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. Isaiah 13:1-22 This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received: / Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. / I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have even summoned My warriors to execute My wrath and exult in My triumph. … Revelation 18:1-24 After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory. / 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.” … Isaiah 47:1-15 “Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of the Chaldeans! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate. / Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. / Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.” … Jeremiah 51:1-64 This is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will stir up against Babylon and against the people of Leb-kamai the spirit of a destroyer. / I will send strangers to Babylon to winnow her and empty her land; for they will come against her from every side in her day of disaster. / Do not let the archer bend his bow or put on his armor. Do not spare her young men; devote all her army to destruction! … Treasury of Scripture Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, said the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded you. up Jeremiah 50:3,9,15 For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast… Merathaim. Ezekiel 23:23 The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses. and do Jeremiah 34:22 Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant. Jeremiah 48:10 Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. Numbers 31:14-18 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle… Jump to Previous Attack Commanded Completely Death Declares Destroy Destruction Double Inhabitants Kill Live Orders Pekod Pursue Rebellion Slay Utterly Visitation WasteJump to Next Attack Commanded Completely Death Declares Destroy Destruction Double Inhabitants Kill Live Orders Pekod Pursue Rebellion Slay Utterly Visitation WasteJeremiah 50 1. The judgment of Babylon and the redemption of IsraelGo up against the land of Merathaim Merathaim is a term that means "double rebellion" or "double bitterness," likely symbolizing the extreme sinfulness of Babylon. This phrase indicates a divine command for judgment against Babylon, a nation that had been used by God to discipline Israel but had itself become exceedingly wicked. The call to "go up" suggests a military campaign, reflecting the historical context of ancient warfare where nations often ascended to attack fortified cities. and against the residents of Pekod Kill them and devote them to destruction Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah is known for his prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of Israel and the surrounding nations. He is the mouthpiece of God in this passage. 2. Merathaim This term is often understood to mean "double rebellion" or "double bitterness." It is likely a symbolic name for Babylon, representing its rebellious nature against God. 3. Pekod A region or tribe associated with Babylon, possibly representing a specific group within the Babylonian empire. The name can mean "visitation" or "punishment," indicating impending judgment. 4. Babylon The empire that conquered Judah and Jerusalem, leading to the Babylonian exile. In this context, it is the target of God's judgment. 5. The LORD The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is executing judgment against Babylon for its sins and rebellion. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod's command to go against Merathaim and Pekod highlights His ultimate authority over nations. Believers can trust that God will bring justice in His perfect timing. The Consequences of Rebellion Merathaim, meaning "double rebellion," serves as a reminder that persistent rebellion against God leads to destruction. Christians are called to examine their lives for areas of rebellion and seek repentance. The Certainty of God's Promises Just as God fulfilled His promise to judge Babylon, He will fulfill all His promises, both of judgment and salvation. This assurance should encourage believers to live faithfully. The Role of Obedience The command to "do everything I have commanded you" underscores the importance of obedience to God's directives. Christians are called to follow God's commands wholeheartedly. Hope in God's Justice While the passage speaks of destruction, it also points to the hope that comes from God's justice. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God will ultimately right all wrongs. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 50:21?2. How does Jeremiah 50:21 demonstrate God's judgment against sinful nations? 3. What lessons can we learn from God's command to "attack the land of Merathaim"? 4. How does Jeremiah 50:21 connect with other biblical examples of divine retribution? 5. In what ways can we apply the principles of divine justice today? 6. How does understanding Jeremiah 50:21 deepen our comprehension of God's sovereignty? 7. What is the historical context of Jeremiah 50:21 regarding the land of Merathaim and Pekod? 8. How does Jeremiah 50:21 reflect God's judgment on Babylon? 9. What does Jeremiah 50:21 reveal about God's sovereignty over nations? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 50? 11. Who guides our steps despite our own plans? 12. How can Jeremiah 21:2 claim the Lord would not rescue Jerusalem when other passages promise divine protection for the city? 13. (Psalm 27:10) Why does the text offer hope in God's unfailing care when the Bible elsewhere shows faithful people experiencing abandonment or disaster? 14. Jeremiah 11:18-23: How do these threats on Jeremiah's life align with the idea of divine protection for those who follow God's will? What Does Jeremiah 50:21 Mean Go up against the land of MerathaimJeremiah 50:21 opens with God’s directive: “Go up against the land of Merathaim”. In the flow of chapters 50–51, the prophet is announcing Babylon’s downfall. • Merathaim is a symbolic name for Babylon, underscoring how thoroughly the nation has provoked God (see Jeremiah 50:2–3; 51:24). • The verb “go up” recalls earlier calls to invade Canaan’s wicked cities (Joshua 6:2; Judges 1:1–2), reminding us that the LORD uses nations as instruments of judgment (Isaiah 13:3–5). • The command demonstrates that Babylon’s power, though immense, is subject to the Sovereign LORD who “raises up and brings down” kingdoms (Daniel 2:21). And against the residents of Pekod The second phrase targets “the residents of Pekod.” • Pekod was a district within Babylon’s empire, representing its military elite (Ezekiel 23:23). • By naming both Merathaim and Pekod, God shows the judgment will be comprehensive—no stronghold or elite force can shield Babylon (Jeremiah 51:12, 27). • The call echoes earlier warnings that judgment begins with those who seem most secure (Obadiah 3–4; Habakkuk 2:6–8). Kill them and devote them to destruction “Kill them and devote them to destruction” is the same language God gave Israel when purging idolatrous Canaanite cities (Deuteronomy 20:16–18). • Babylon had used merciless force against Judah (2 Kings 25:1–10). God now mirrors that standard back on them (Jeremiah 50:15, 29). • The phrase “devote to destruction” signifies a total, irrevocable judgment—there is no partial punishment or reprieve (1 Samuel 15:3, 23). • This underscores divine justice: Babylon reaps what it sowed (Galatians 6:7), fulfilling the principle announced centuries earlier (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 47:6–11). Do all that I have commanded you, declares the LORD The closing charge stresses obedience to God’s full instruction. • The invading forces (Medes and Persians) are God’s “sanctified ones” for this task (Isaiah 13:17). Even pagan armies serve His sovereign will (Jeremiah 51:11). • Complete obedience is demanded—partial compliance would question God’s wisdom (1 Samuel 15:22). • The declaration “declares the LORD” seals the prophecy with divine authority; His word cannot fail (Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 24:35). summary Jeremiah 50:21 is God’s battle order against Babylon. He names the target (Merathaim/Pekod), commands total destruction, and insists on full obedience, revealing His righteous judgment on a proud empire. The verse reminds us that no nation, however powerful, is beyond God’s reach, and that He faithfully repays persistent rebellion while vindicating His people and His holy name. (21) Go up against the land of Merathaim.--No such name is found in Babylonian inscriptions or is mentioned by historians. The most probable explanation of its use is that the prophet coined it as a descriptive word (= land of two rebellions), and then substituted it, after his manner (as with Sheshach, Jeremiah 25:6; Magor-missabib, Jeremiah 20:3), for the name Aram-Naharaim (= land of the two rivers = Mesopotamia), which was, as in Genesis 24:10; Deuteronomy 23:4; Judges 3:8; Judges 3:10, the recognised name of the country between the Tigris and Euphrates. It was, he seems to say, the country, not of rivers, but of rebellions, choosing the dual form, partly for the sake of assonance, partly to express the fact that Babylon having rebelled against Assyria, as, e.g., Merodach-baladan (Isaiah 39:1) and Nabopolassar had done, had also rebelled against Jehovah. Possibly, however, the dual may simply express intensity. Such changes of names were quite after the manner of Old Testament usage. So Beth-aven was substituted for Bethel (Hosea 10:5), Mephibosheth for Meribbaal (2Samuel 4:4; 1Chronicles 8:34). Micah 1 is full of such paronomasiae. . . . Verses 21-28. - The punishment of Babylon, corresponding to her crimes. Verse 21. - The land of Merathaim; i.e. of double rebellion. Probably enough an actual geographical name may lie at the root of this singular expression; but we are not able at present to say what it was. The prophet has, at any rate, modified it in such a way as to convey a definite meaning, symbolic of the character of Babylon (comp. on ver. 31). What was this meaning? According to Gesenius, there is an allusion to the two great blows inflicted on Israel and Judah by Assyria and Babylon respectively; but as these two powers were but the instruments of a higher Hand, this explanation would seem to be inconsistent with the prophetic teaching. Dahler, De Wette, and Keil take the two rebellions to be the spiritual ones of idolatry and pride; and there is no obvious objection to this. But the dual may be simply intended to express intensity; comp. ch. 17:18, "Destroy them with double destruction" (see note). The inhabitants of Pekod; i.e. of punishment. But here too a geographical name very probably lies underneath. The Taylor cylinder inscription of Sennacherib mentions a Pukudu ( = Pekod), together with Havrann (Hauran) and Nabatu (Nabathaeans); but this was the name of a tribe. In Ezekiel 23:23 we read, "The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa," etc.; and in 'Records of the Past,' 11:92, we find a town Pikudu mentioned, lying to the south of Babylon, which may, perhaps, have given its name to a district, and to this district the prophet not improbably alludes. M. Halevy conjectures that the event which corresponds to the prophecy is the decisive battle which virtually terminated the Babylonian empire. According to the newly discovered Cyrus inscription, this battle was fought near a place called Rutu, which appears to have been situated in the neighbourhood of Pukudu ('Records,' l.c.). About the symbolic meaning there can be no doubt: Pekod is a worthy pendant to Merathaim. Sin and punishment are so closely connected in the prophetic mind that one word sometimes covers both notions. It is doubtful, for instance, whether the better rendering of Isaiah 5:18 is "draw sin as with a cart rope" or "draw punishment."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Go upעֲלֵ֣ה (‘ă·lêh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the land הָאָ֤רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land of Merathaim, מְרָתַ֙יִם֙ (mə·rā·ṯa·yim) Noun - fd Strong's 4850: Merathaim -- perhaps 'double rebellion', another name for Babylon and against וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the residents יוֹשְׁבֵ֖י (yō·wō·šə·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry of Pekod. פְּק֑וֹד (pə·qō·wḏ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6489: Pekod -- a people in southeastern Babylon Put them to the sword חֲרֹ֨ב (ḥă·rōḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2717: To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill and completely destroy וְהַחֲרֵ֤ם (wə·ha·ḥă·rêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2763: To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose them,” אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ (’a·ḥă·rê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 310: The hind or following part declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5002: An oracle the LORD. יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel “Do וַעֲשֵׂ֕ה (wa·‘ă·śêh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make everything כְּכֹ֖ל (kə·ḵōl) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every I have commanded you. צִוִּיתִֽיךָ׃ (ṣiw·wî·ṯî·ḵā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order Links Jeremiah 50:21 NIVJeremiah 50:21 NLT Jeremiah 50:21 ESV Jeremiah 50:21 NASB Jeremiah 50:21 KJV Jeremiah 50:21 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 50:21 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 50:21 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 50:21 French Bible Jeremiah 50:21 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 50:21 Go up against the land of Merathaim (Jer.) |
    |