Jeremiah 50:38
Jeremiah 50:38 in Multiple Translations
A drought is upon her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and the people go mad over idols.
A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.
A drought is upon her waters, and they shall be dried up; for it is a land of graven images, and they are mad over idols.
A sword is on her waters, drying them up; for it is a land of images, and their minds are fixed on false gods.
A drought has hit her rivers, and they will dry up. For it's a country full of pagan images. These horrible idols drive their worshipers mad.
A drought is vpon her waters, and they shall be dried vp: for it is the lande of grauen images, and they dote vpon their idoles.
A sword [is] on her waters, and they have been dried up, For it [is] a land of graven images, And in idols they do boast themselves.
A drought is on her waters, and they will be dried up; for it is a land of engraved images, and they are mad over idols.
A drouth is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.
A drought upon her waters, and they shall be dried up: because it is a land of idols, and they glory in monstrous things.
I will cause the streams to become dry. I will do all those things because the entire land of Babylonia is filled with idols, and those horrible idols have caused the people who worship them to become crazy.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 50:38
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 50:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חֹ֥רֶב
אֶל
מֵימֶ֖י/הָ
וְ/יָבֵ֑שׁוּ
כִּ֣י
אֶ֤רֶץ
פְּסִלִים֙
הִ֔יא
וּ/בָ/אֵימִ֖ים
יִתְהֹלָֽלוּ
חֹ֥רֶב
chôreb
H2721
drought
N-ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
מֵימֶ֖י/הָ
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp | Suff
וְ/יָבֵ֑שׁוּ
yâbêsh
H3001
to wither
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֶ֤רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
פְּסִלִים֙
pᵉçîyl
H6456
idol
N-mp
הִ֔יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
וּ/בָ/אֵימִ֖ים
ʼêymâh
H367
terror
Conj | Prep | N-fp
יִתְהֹלָֽלוּ
hâlal
H1984
to shine
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 50:38
חֹ֥רֶב
chôreb
H2721
"drought"
N-ms
The Bible uses this word to describe a state of drought or desolation, often as a result of sin. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses warned the Israelites of desolation if they disobeyed God. It is also used in the book of Jeremiah.
Definition: 1) dryness, drought, heat 1a) dryness 1b) drought 1c) parching heat
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: desolation, drought, dry, heat, [idiom] utterly, waste. See also: Genesis 31:40; Isaiah 25:5; Isaiah 4:6.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
מֵימֶ֖י/הָ
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp | Suff
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
וְ/יָבֵ֑שׁוּ
yâbêsh
H3001
"to wither"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
This Hebrew word means to wither or dry up, like a plant without water. It can also mean to be ashamed or disappointed. The Bible uses it to describe things that have lost their freshness or vitality.
Definition: 1) to make dry, wither, be dry, become dry, be dried up, be withered 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be dry, be dried up, be without moisture 1a2) to be dried up 1b) (Piel) to make dry, dry up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to dry up, make dry 1c1a) to dry up (water) 1c1b) to make dry, wither 1c1c) to exhibit dryness
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: be ashamed, clean, be confounded, (make) dry (up), (do) shame(-fully), [idiom] utterly, wither (away). See also: Genesis 8:7; Jeremiah 6:15; Psalms 22:16.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֶ֤רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
פְּסִלִים֙
pᵉçîyl
H6456
"idol"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to an idol or carved image, often used to describe false gods or objects of worship. It is sometimes translated as graven image or quarry, emphasizing the act of carving or shaping the idol. This concept is seen in the Bible as a form of rebellion against God.
Definition: image, idol, graven image Another spelling of pe.sel (פֶּ֫סֶל "idol" H6459)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: carved (graven) image, quarry. See also: Deuteronomy 7:5; Psalms 78:58; Isaiah 10:10.
הִ֔יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וּ/בָ/אֵימִ֖ים
ʼêymâh
H367
"terror"
Conj | Prep | N-fp
The Hebrew word for terror or dread, used to describe fear or horror, and sometimes an idol that inspires fear. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of awe or fright. This word is used in various contexts, including descriptions of God's power.
Definition: terror, dread
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: dread, fear, horror, idol, terrible, terror. See also: Genesis 15:12; Job 20:25; Psalms 55:5.
יִתְהֹלָֽלוּ
hâlal
H1984
"to shine"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Definition: 1) to shine 1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour) 1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. See also: Genesis 12:15; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 5:6.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 50:38
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 50:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 50:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 50:38
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 50:38
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 50:38
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
- Sermons on Jeremiah 50:38
Context — The Destruction of Babylon
36A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror.
37A sword is against her horses and chariots and against all the foreigners in her midst, and they will become like women. A sword is against her treasuries, and they will be plundered.
38A drought is upon her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and the people go mad over idols.
39So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation. 40As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighbors,” declares the LORD, “no one will dwell there; no man will abide there.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 16:12 | And the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East. |
| 2 | Isaiah 44:27 | who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’ |
| 3 | Jeremiah 50:2 | “Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’ |
| 4 | Jeremiah 51:47 | Therefore, behold, the days are coming when I will punish the idols of Babylon. Her entire land will suffer shame, and all her slain will lie fallen within her. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 51:52 | “Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish her idols, and throughout her land the wounded will groan. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 51:44 | I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will make him spew out what he swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him; even the wall of Babylon will fall. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 50:12 | your mother will be greatly ashamed; she who bore you will be disgraced. Behold, she will be the least of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. |
| 8 | Isaiah 46:1–7 | Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity. “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth. Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you. To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. |
| 9 | Acts 17:16 | While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 51:7 | Babylon was a gold cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad. |
Jeremiah 50:38 Summary
[Jeremiah 50:38 is saying that when a nation or person turns away from God and towards idols, they will experience a spiritual dryness and barrenness, like a drought, as seen in the context of Jeremiah 50:38 and referenced in Isaiah 55:1. This is because idols can't satisfy our deepest needs or provide true fulfillment, as described in Psalm 115:4-8. Instead, they lead to madness and confusion, as seen in Romans 1:21-23. By turning back to God, we can find spiritual refreshment and satisfaction, as promised in Jeremiah 31:25 and Matthew 5:6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of 'a drought is upon her waters' in Jeremiah 50:38?
This phrase is a metaphor for the spiritual dryness and barrenness that comes from idolatry, as seen in the context of Jeremiah 50:38, and is reminiscent of the spiritual thirst described in Isaiah 55:1.
Why does the verse say 'the people go mad over idols'?
This phrase suggests that the people have become utterly consumed and obsessed with their idols, similar to the way the Israelites were warned against idolatry in Deuteronomy 4:15-16, and it ultimately leads to their downfall.
Is this verse talking about a physical drought or a spiritual one?
While the verse may have a physical component, the primary focus is on the spiritual drought that results from a land being 'a land of graven images', as seen in Jeremiah 50:38, and is comparable to the spiritual desolation described in Ezekiel 37:1-14.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Jeremiah 50:38 is part of a larger prophecy against Babylon, and this verse specifically highlights the spiritual corruption that will lead to the nation's downfall, as seen in the surrounding verses, such as Jeremiah 50:36-37, which describe the sword coming against the false prophets and warriors.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be going 'mad over idols' in my own life, and how can I turn back to God?
- How can I recognize the 'drought' of spiritual dryness in my own heart, and what steps can I take to seek refreshment from God?
- In what ways can I be a part of bringing spiritual refreshment to a world that is dry and barren, as described in Jeremiah 50:38?
- What are some modern-day 'graven images' that can distract me from worshiping the one true God, and how can I avoid them?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 50:38
A drought [is] upon her waters, and they shall be dried up,.... Either on the waters of the land of Chaldea in general, from whence should follow barrenness, and so a want of the necessaries of life;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 50:38
A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
A drought is upon her waters, and they shall be dried up: some think that this phrase hath a special reference to Cyrus’ s stratagem used in the surprise of Babylon; one part of it was fortified by the great river Euphrates, running on one side, which Cyrus diverted by cutting several channels, till he had drained it so low, that it became passable for his army to go over. Others think that a want of rain is here threatened. For it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols: God gives the reason of this judgment, which was their idolatry, and exceeding zeal for it.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
Jeremiah 50:38 A drought [is] upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it [is] the land of graven images, and they are mad upon [their] idols.Ver. 38. A drought is upon her waters.] Which Cyrus did so drain by many outlets, that without any great difficulty he took the city, assaulting it on two sides. Frontinius saith, that thrice Babylon was taken by this stratagem; (1.) By Semiramis; (2.) By Cyrus; (3.) By Alexander the Great. And they are mad upon their idols.] Deos terrificos et truces, statues of their kings and worthies, which were of a huge, vast stature. See Daniel 3:1. Lib. iii. c. 7. s. 4. ειδωλομανεις.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
(38) A drought is upon her waters.—Better, A sword. The Hebrew word for “drought” has the same consonants as that for “sword,” with different vowel-points. In the original text the form of the two words must have been identical, as the vowel-points were of later introduction. The editors of the present text were probably guided by the thought that the context in this case determined the meaning of the word as meaning “drought,” and not a “sword.” So in Deuteronomy 28:22 the text of the Authorised version gives “sword,” and the margin “drought.” There is, however, a certain loss of rhetorical emphasis in the change of the word with which the three previous verses had begun. The “waters” include the canals of Babylon as well as the Euphrates. They are mad upon their idols.—The word for “idols” means literally “terrors,” or “objects of terror,” as in Psalms 88:16; Job 20:25, and this is the only place in which it is used of the objects of worship. In Genesis 14:5; Deuteronomy 2:10-11 it appears as the name of the Emim, probably as meaning “the terrible, or gigantic ones.” Here it seems used for the colossal figures—winged bulls, human-headed lions, and the like—which were the objects of Babylonian worship. (See note on Jeremiah 49:16.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
Verse 38. A drought is upon her waters] May not this refer to the draining of the channel of the Euphrates, by which the army of Cyrus entered the city. See on Jeremiah 50:24. The original is, however, חרב chereb, a sword, as in the preceding verses, which signifies war, or any calamity by which the thing on which it falls is ruined.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 50:38
38. A drought] The Heb. words for drought and sword (differing by one vowel only, ḥ ?ôreb, ḥ ?ereb) are sufficiently alike to make it quite possible that here as at the beginning of the two previous verses the latter should be read. In that case sword is thought to be used figuratively in reference to the stratagem by which the water supply of Babylon was cut off by its assailants; though this seems rather a farfetched application of the word. Drought on the contrary will more naturally refer to the drying up of the many canals by which the water of the Euphrates was distributed throughout the whole country for drainage and irrigation as well as for commercial purposes. Cp. Jeremiah 51:13; Psalms 137:1. they are mad upon idols] rather, through idols do they make themselves mad. “Idols,” lit. as mg. terrors, the grotesque objects by which heathen often represent their gods. But there is strong support in the Versions (LXX, Aq., Symm., Syr., Vulg., Targ.) for reading (with different vocalisation) and of idols do they boast themselves (cp. Psalms 97:7).
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 50:38
A drought - Rather, “a sword,” i. e., military skill and forethought. They are mad upon their idols - Omit their. The word for idols, literally terrors Psalms 88:16 is used in this one place only of objects of worship.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 50:38
38. A drought — The consonants of the original for “drought” are the same with those for sword in the verse preceding; the only difference is in the vowel pointings of the Masoretes.
Sermons on Jeremiah 50:38
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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More Pearls From Philpot by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the deep-rooted sin of idolatry in the human heart, emphasizing the need to keep ourselves from idols as warned in 1 John 5:21. He describes how idolatr |
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John 5:40 to End. the Defense Concluded. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the rejection of Christ by the chief Jews, emphasizing how Jesus, like a two-edged sword, convicts the conscience of those who do not love God. M |
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Commentary Notes - Jeremiah by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches about the life and prophecies of the Prophet Jeremiah, highlighting his call at a young age, his tender and retiring personality, and his unwavering commit |
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The Time of Armagedon by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the events leading up to the battle of Armageddon as described in the book of Revelation. The sixth angel pours out his bowl upon the river E |
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Week of Meetings-07 Armageddon-Who When Where by Dwight Pentecost | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the events that will occur after the Lord Jesus Christ takes believers to be with Him. He mentions that the nations of the earth are currentl |
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(Daniel) a Powerful Pernicious Personality by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the second part of the chapter, which is prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled. He explains that the first 20 verses of the chapter discu |
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The End of Time by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the prophecies of the end times as outlined in the book of Daniel and other biblical passages. It discusses the events leading up to the establishment of Go |