Jeremiah 51:11

Jeremiah 51:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD— vengeance for His temple.

King James Version KJV

Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

American Standard Version ASV

Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields: Jehovah hath stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it: for it is the vengeance of Jehovah, the vengeance of his temple.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Make bright the arrows; take up the body-covers: the Lord has been moving the spirit of the king of the Medes; because his design against Babylon is its destruction: for it is the punishment from the Lord, the payment for his Temple.

Free Bible Version FBV

Sharpen the arrows! Pick up the shields! The Lord has encouraged the kings of the Medes, because his plan is directed at the destruction of Babylon. The Lord is paying them back for what happened to his Temple.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Make bright the arrowes: gather the shieldes: the Lord hath raised vp the spirit of the King of the Medes: for his purpose is against Babel to destroy it, because it is the vengeance of the Lord, and the vengeance of his Temple.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Cleanse ye the arrows, fill the shields, Stirred up hath Jehovah the spirit of the kings of Madia, For against Babylon His device [is] to destroy it, For the vengeance of Jehovah it [is], The vengeance of His temple.

World English Bible WEB

“Make the arrows sharp! Hold the shields firmly! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it; for it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers, the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: and his mind is against Babylon to destroy it, because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple.

Translation for Translators T4T

You enemy soldiers, sharpen your arrows! Lift up your shields, because Yahweh has incited your kings of Media and Persia to march with their armies to Babylon and to destroy it. That is how Yahweh will get revenge on those foreigners who entered his temple in Jerusalem and defiled it.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 51:11

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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 51:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB הָבֵ֣רוּ הַ/חִצִּים֮ מִלְא֣וּ הַ/שְּׁלָטִים֒ הֵעִ֣יר יְהוָ֗ה אֶת ר֨וּחַ֙ מַלְכֵ֣י מָדַ֔י כִּֽי עַל בָּבֶ֥ל מְזִמָּת֖/וֹ לְ/הַשְׁחִיתָ֑/הּ כִּֽי נִקְמַ֤ת יְהוָה֙ הִ֔יא נִקְמַ֖ת הֵיכָלֽ/וֹ

הָבֵ֣רוּ bârar H1305 to purify V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp

הַ/חִצִּים֮ chêts H2671 arrow Art | N-mp

מִלְא֣וּ mâlêʼ H4390 to fill V-Qal-Impv-2mp

הַ/שְּׁלָטִים֒ sheleṭ H7982 shield Art | N-mp

הֵעִ֣יר ʻûwr H5782 to rouse V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

יְהוָ֗ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

ר֨וּחַ֙ rûwach H7307 spirit N-cs

מַלְכֵ֣י melek H4428 King's N-mp

מָדַ֔י Mâday H4074 Mede N-proper

כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

בָּבֶ֥ל Bâbel H894 Babylon N-proper

מְזִמָּת֖/וֹ mᵉzimmâh H4209 plot N-fs | Suff

לְ/הַשְׁחִיתָ֑/הּ shâchath H7843 to ruin Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff

כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj

נִקְמַ֤ת nᵉqâmâh H5360 vengeance N-fs

יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

הִ֔יא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron

נִקְמַ֖ת nᵉqâmâh H5360 vengeance N-fs

הֵיכָלֽ/וֹ hêykâl H1964 temple N-ms | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 51:11

הָבֵ֣רוּ bârar H1305 "to purify" V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp

To purify means to make something clean and bright, like polishing metal. In the Bible, it involves removing sin and imperfections to become pure and holy before God.

Definition: 1) to purify, select, polish, choose, purge, cleanse or make bright, test or prove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to purge, purge out, purify 1a2) to choose, select 1a3) to cleanse, make shining, polish 1a4) to test, prove 1b) (Niphal) to purify oneself 1c) (Piel) to purify 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to purify 1d2) to polish arrows 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to purify oneself 1e2) to show oneself pure, just, kind

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: make bright, choice, chosen, cleanse (be clean), clearly, polished, (shew self) pure(-ify), purge (out). See also: 2 Samuel 22:27; Isaiah 49:2; Psalms 18:27.

הַ/חִצִּים֮ chêts H2671 "arrow" Art | N-mp

An arrow is a sharp object shot from a bow, used for hunting or battle, like those used by archers in the book of Judges. It can also symbolize God's powerful judgment.

Definition: arrow

Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, arrow, dart, shaft, staff, wound. See also: Genesis 49:23; Psalms 91:5; Psalms 7:14.

מִלְא֣וּ mâlêʼ H4390 "to fill" V-Qal-Impv-2mp

To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.

Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)

Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.

הַ/שְּׁלָטִים֒ sheleṭ H7982 "shield" Art | N-mp

This word refers to a shield, which is a protective device used to defend oneself. It's likely named for its ability to control or protect the person holding it. The KJV translates it simply as 'shield'.

Definition: shield

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: shield. See also: 2 Samuel 8:7; 2 Chronicles 23:9; Jeremiah 51:11.

הֵעִ֣יר ʻûwr H5782 "to rouse" V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

To rouse means to wake up or stir someone into action. It can also mean to be excited or triumphant, and is used in the Bible to describe God stirring up his people. This word is about being awakened or energized.

Definition: 1) to rouse oneself, awake, awaken, incite 1a) (Qal) to rouse oneself, awake 1b) (Niphal) to be roused 1c) (Polel) to stir up, rouse, incite 1d) (Hithpolel) to be excited, be triumphant 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to rouse, stir up 1e2) to act in an aroused manner, awake

Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: (a-) wake(-n, up), lift up (self), [idiom] master, raise (up), stir up (self). See also: Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 10:26; Psalms 7:7.

יְהוָ֗ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

ר֨וּחַ֙ rûwach H7307 "spirit" N-cs

In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.

Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force

Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.

מַלְכֵ֣י melek H4428 "King's" N-mp

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

מָדַ֔י Mâday H4074 "Mede" N-proper

Medai refers to the Medes, a people descended from Japheth, living in Media, a land northwest of Persia. This area is mentioned in the Bible as a significant region. The Medes played a role in biblical events, including the conquest of Babylon.

Definition: also called Mede frequently Group of me.dan (מְדָן "Medan" H4091) § Media or Medes or Madai = "middle land" 1) a people descended from the son of Japheth and who inhabited the territory of Media 2) land inhabited by the descendants of Japheth; located northwest of Persia proper, south and southwest of the Caspian Sea, east of Armenia and Assyria, and west and northwest of the great salt desert of Iram

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: Madai, Medes, Media. See also: Genesis 10:2; Esther 10:2; Isaiah 13:17.

כִּֽי 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.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

בָּבֶ֥ל Bâbel H894 "Babylon" N-proper

Babel refers to Babylon, a city and empire in the Bible, meaning confusion or mixing. It appears in Genesis 11:9 and is associated with the tower of Babel. The city was situated on the Euphrates River.

Definition: § Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)" Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates

Usage: Occurs in 233 OT verses. KJV: Babel, Babylon. See also: Genesis 10:10; Jeremiah 29:22; Psalms 87:4.

מְזִמָּת֖/וֹ mᵉzimmâh H4209 "plot" N-fs | Suff

This Hebrew word means a plan or plot, which can be either good or evil. It appears in the Bible as a device, discretion, or intent. In the KJV, it is translated as a wicked device or witty invention.

Definition: 1) purpose, discretion, device, plot 1a) purpose 1b) discretion 1c) devices (evil)

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: (wicked) device, discretion, intent, witty invention, lewdness, mischievous (device), thought, wickedly. See also: Job 21:27; Proverbs 3:21; Psalms 10:2.

לְ/הַשְׁחִיתָ֑/הּ shâchath H7843 "to ruin" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff

This verb means to ruin or destroy something, and it is used in various forms throughout the Bible to describe corruption and decay.

Definition: 1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay 1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spoil, ruin 1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy 1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally) 1c3) destroyer (participle) 1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle) Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)

Usage: Occurs in 136 OT verses. KJV: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r). See also: Genesis 6:11; Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:2.

כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

נִקְמַ֤ת nᵉqâmâh H5360 "vengeance" N-fs

This noun means avengement or vengeance, often used to describe God's punishment of the wicked, as seen in Psalm 99:8 where God avenges His people.

Definition: 1) vengeance 1a) vengeance (by God, by Israel, by enemies of Israel)

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, revenge(-ing), vengeance. See also: Numbers 31:2; Jeremiah 20:12; Psalms 18:48.

יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

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.

נִקְמַ֖ת nᵉqâmâh H5360 "vengeance" N-fs

This noun means avengement or vengeance, often used to describe God's punishment of the wicked, as seen in Psalm 99:8 where God avenges His people.

Definition: 1) vengeance 1a) vengeance (by God, by Israel, by enemies of Israel)

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, revenge(-ing), vengeance. See also: Numbers 31:2; Jeremiah 20:12; Psalms 18:48.

הֵיכָלֽ/וֹ hêykâl H1964 "temple" N-ms | Suff

The Hebrew word for a large public building like a palace or temple, used to describe God's temple in Jerusalem. It appears in the Bible to talk about the temple as God's palace. In the Bible, it is translated as 'palace' or 'temple'.

Definition: : temple 1) palace, temple, nave, sanctuary 1a) palace 1b) temple (palace of God as king) 1c) hall, nave (of Ezekiel's temple) 1d) temple (of heavenly temple)

Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: palace, temple. See also: 1 Samuel 1:9; Psalms 138:2; Psalms 5:8.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 51:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:11 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:11
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:11
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:11
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11
Sermons on Jeremiah 51:11

Context — Judgment on Babylon

9“We tried to heal Babylon, but she could not be healed. Abandon her! Let each of us go to his own land, for her judgment extends to the sky and reaches to the clouds.” 10“The LORD has brought forth our vindication; come, let us tell in Zion what the LORD our God has accomplished.”

11Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD— vengeance for His temple.

12Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon. 13You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 46:4	Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor!
2	Jeremiah 50:45	Therefore hear the plans that the LORD has drawn up against Babylon and the strategies He has devised against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the little ones of the flock will be dragged away; certainly their pasture will be made desolate because of them.
3	Jeremiah 46:9	Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots! Let the warriors come forth— Cush and Put carrying their shields, men of Lydia drawing the bow.
4	Jeremiah 50:9	For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.
5	1 Chronicles 5:26	So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria) to take the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. And he brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan, where they remain to this day.
6	Isaiah 21:2	A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”
7	Ezra 1:1	In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:
8	Psalms 74:3–11	Turn Your steps to the everlasting ruins, to everything in the sanctuary the enemy has destroyed. Your foes have roared within Your meeting place; they have unfurled their banners as signs, like men wielding axes in a thicket of trees and smashing all the carvings with hatchets and picks. They have burned Your sanctuary to the ground; they have defiled the dwelling place of Your Name. They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely.” They burned down every place where God met us in the land. There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer any prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last. How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You? Will the foe revile Your name forever? Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand? Stretch it out to destroy them!
9	Jeremiah 50:25	The LORD has opened His armory and brought out His weapons of wrath, for this is the work of the Lord GOD of Hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.
10	Isaiah 46:11	I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Jeremiah 51:11 Summary

[Jeremiah 51:11 is a call to action, where God is preparing the Medes to attack Babylon as an act of vengeance for what they did to His temple. This shows that God is a God of justice and will not tolerate the desecration of His holy places (see Psalm 74:3-8). In simple terms, God is saying that He will not let those who harm His people or His temple go unpunished, and He will use whoever is necessary to accomplish His plan, as seen in Isaiah 45:1-7. This should give us confidence in God's power and love for us, and remind us to trust in His sovereignty over all things.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God want to destroy Babylon in Jeremiah 51:11?

God wants to destroy Babylon as an act of vengeance for what they did to His temple, as stated in Jeremiah 51:11, because He is a jealous God who will not tolerate the desecration of His holy places (see Deuteronomy 29:20, Ezekiel 36:21).

Who are the Medes in Jeremiah 51:11?

The Medes were a powerful ancient nation that, along with the Persians, would eventually conquer Babylon, as prophesied in Jeremiah 51:11 and fulfilled in Daniel 5:30-31, demonstrating God's sovereignty over the nations.

What does it mean to 'sharpen the arrows' and 'fill the quivers' in Jeremiah 51:11?

To 'sharpen the arrows' and 'fill the quivers' is a call to prepare for battle, symbolizing the readiness of the Medes to attack Babylon at God's command, similar to the call to arms in Isaiah 13:1-5, where God summons the nations to execute His judgment.

Is God's vengeance in Jeremiah 51:11 contradictory to His love and mercy?

God's vengeance in Jeremiah 51:11 is a demonstration of His holy and just character, as seen in Romans 11:22, where Paul writes about the kindness and severity of God, showing that His love and mercy are balanced by His righteous judgment, as stated in Psalm 89:14.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about God's heart for His temple and His people, and how can I apply that to my own relationship with Him?
In what ways can I, like the Medes, be an instrument of God's plan and purposes, and what does that look like in my everyday life?
How does the concept of God's vengeance in Jeremiah 51:11 challenge or comfort me, and what does it say about His character and love for me?
What are some ways I can 'sharpen my arrows' and prepare myself for the spiritual battles I face, and how can I trust in God's power and provision in those times?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:11

Make bright the arrows,.... Which were covered with rust; scour them of it; anoint them with oil, as armour were wont to be; make them neat, clean, and bright, that they may pierce the deeper; hence

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:11

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11

Make bright the arrows; prepare the arrows for fighting, whether by feathering, sharpening, or polishing and cleansing of them, is not much material. Gather the shields; you that are Chaldeans, gather all the shields you have together, you will have need of them all: or, you that are the enemies of the Chaldeans, gather you together your shields. For God hath put a spirit into Cyrus and Darius, &c., and his design is against Babylon to destroy it. It is a day in which God is resolved to take vengeance on Babylon, to take vengeance for the indignities they have offered to, and the horrible profanation of, his temple.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11

Jeremiah 51:11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.Ver. 11. Make bright the arrows,] q.d., Do so, O Chaldeans, if ye think it will boot you anything at all for the shoring up of your tottering state, whereas the Lord is resolved to bring it down.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11

(11) Make bright the arrows.—Better, Sharpen, the “polishing” or “making bright” being as the means to that end. Gather the shields.—Literally, fill the shields, i.e., arm yourselves with them, The large shields of the Persian soldiers covered the whole body, and the man literally filled them. The LXX. and Vulgate agree in rendering the noun “quivers” instead of “shields,” but this would seem to have been a conjecture rising out of a wish to connect the two clauses. The rendering of the Authorised version agrees with the use of the word in Song Son 4:4; Ezekiel 27:11; 2 Kings 11:10. Some critics interpret the words as meaning “fill the shields with oil,” as parallel to “sharpen the arrows,” and agreeing with “anoint the shield” in Isaiah 21:5. Of the kings of the Medes.—As with the Greeks in their use of the terms Medise and Medism, so with the Hebrews the Medes are more prominent than the Persians in the work of destruction (comp. Isaiah 13:17). The “kings” are the chieftains of tribes more or less independent, but owning the suzerainty of the Persian king. It is noticeable that the ruler of Babylon, after its capture by Cyrus, in Daniel 5:31, is “Darius the Median,” and that he is called a “king.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11

Verse 11. Make bright the arrows] This is the prophet's address to Babylon. The Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes] Of Cyaxares king of Media, called Darius the Mede in Scripture; and of Cyrus king of Persia, presumptive heir of the throne of Cyaxares, his uncle. Cambyses, his father, sent him, Cyrus, with 30,000 men to assist his uncle Cyaxares, against Neriglissar king of Babylon, and by these was Babylon overthrown.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:11

11. sharp] For mg. cp. Isaiah 49:2 (“polished shaft”). hold firm] mg. fill. If we retain “shields” (see next note), the latter verb seems inappropriate. Cp., however, its use in 2 Samuel 23:7 R.V. mg. Gi. suggests “polish” or “furbish,” but this involves a somewhat drastic change in the Heb. shields] The LXX vary much in their rendering of the word. Here they have “quivers.” For mg. see W. E. Barnes in Expos. Times, vol. X. (Oct. ’98–Sept. ’99), pp. 43 ff. kings] read king, with LXX. Cp. Jeremiah 51:28.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:11

Make bright - Rather, Sharpen. The Medes Genesis 10:2 were a branch of the great Aryan family, who as conquerors had seized upon the vast regions extending from the Caspian Sea to the eastern borders

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:11

11. Make bright — Rather, sharpen. Gather — Better, fill; that is, put them on in their places. Kings of the Medes — Suggesting the various clans, or kingships, into which they were divided.

Sermons on Jeremiah 51:11

	Sermon	Description
	Belshazzar's Feast and the Fall of Babylon by John F. Walvoord	John F. Walvoord preaches on the downfall of Belshazzar and the fall of Babylon as prophesied in the book of Daniel. The sermon highlights the divine judgment on the wicked world,
	From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Ezra) ch.1 & 2 by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen explores the transition of God's people from Babylon to Jerusalem as a significant spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding the new covenant in thi
	The Sovereignty of God as to the House of God by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine and heartfelt relationship with God. He highlights how the prophets in the Bible, such as Hosea and Ezekie
	Ezra #1: Introduction to the Book of Ezra by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of studying the word of God in order to see Jesus and produce fruit in our lives. He mentions that there is limited time to c
	Synagogue & Temple by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of our existence as believers. He highlights that many Christians are living in a state of confus
	The Hand Behind History by David Davis	This sermon delves into the story of Daniel in Babylon, where a wild party takes place with sacred vessels from the temple in Jerusalem being desecrated. The hand of God writes on
	(Through the Bible) 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra by Zac Poonen	The sermon covers the journey of the children of Israel from Babylon back to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity, focusing on the building of the temple and the challenges faced.