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Jeremiah 51:14

Jeremiah 51:14 in Multiple Translations

The LORD of Hosts has sworn by Himself: “Surely I will fill you up with men as with locusts, and they will shout in triumph over you.”

The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

Jehovah of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with the canker-worm; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

The Lord of armies has taken an oath by himself, saying, Truly, I will make you full with men as with locusts, and their voices will be loud against you.

The Lord Almighty vowed by his own life, saying, I'm going to make sure to fill you with so many enemy soldiers they'll be like locusts. They will shout as they celebrate their victory over you.

The Lord of hostes hath sworne by him selfe, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers, and they shall cry and shoute against thee.

Sworn hath Jehovah of Hosts by Himself, That, Surely I have filled thee [with] men as the cankerworm, And they have cried against thee — shouting.

The LORD of Armies has sworn by himself, saying, ‘Surely I will fill you with men, as with locusts, and they will lift up a shout against you.’

The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying , Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillars; and they shall raise a shout against thee.

The Lord of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying: I will fill thee with men as with locusts, and they shall lift up a joyful shout against thee.

The Commander of the armies of angels has solemnly promised, using his own name, “Your cities will be filled with your enemies; I will cause them to be like [SIM] a swarm of locusts; and they will shout triumphantly when they conquer your city.”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 51:14

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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 51:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB נִשְׁבַּ֛ע יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת בְּ/נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ כִּ֣י אִם מִלֵּאתִ֤י/ךְ אָדָם֙ כַּ/יֶּ֔לֶק וְ/עָנ֥וּ עָלַ֖יִ/ךְ הֵידָֽד
נִשְׁבַּ֛ע shâbaʻ H7650 to swear V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
צְבָא֖וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 army N-cp
בְּ/נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ nephesh H5315 soul Prep | N-cs | Suff
כִּ֣י kîy H3588 for Conj
אִם ʼim H518 if Conj
מִלֵּאתִ֤י/ךְ mâlêʼ H4390 to fill V-Piel-Perf-1cs | Suff
אָדָם֙ ʼâdâm H120 the man (Adam) N-ms
כַּ/יֶּ֔לֶק yeleq H3218 locust Prep | N-ms
וְ/עָנ֥וּ ʻânâh H6030 to dwell Conj | V-Qal-3cp
עָלַ֖יִ/ךְ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff
הֵידָֽד hêydâd H1959 shout N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 51:14

נִשְׁבַּ֛ע shâbaʻ H7650 "to swear" V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to swear an oath, like making a promise or vow. In the Bible, it is used when someone is making a serious promise, often with God as a witness. The KJV translates it as adjure or take an oath.
Definition: 1) to swear, adjure 1a) (Qal) sworn (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to swear, take an oath 1b2) to swear (of Jehovah by Himself) 1b3) to curse 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to take an oath 1c2) to adjure
Usage: Occurs in 175 OT verses. KJV: adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for H7646 (שָׂבַע)), take an oath, [idiom] straitly, (cause to, make to) swear. See also: Genesis 21:23; Judges 21:18; Psalms 15:4.
יְהוָ֥ה 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.
צְבָא֖וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" N-cp
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
בְּ/נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ nephesh H5315 "soul" Prep | N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
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.
אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
מִלֵּאתִ֤י/ךְ mâlêʼ H4390 "to fill" V-Piel-Perf-1cs | Suff
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.
אָדָם֙ ʼâdâm H120 "the man (Adam)" N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
כַּ/יֶּ֔לֶק yeleq H3218 "locust" Prep | N-ms
The locust, a devouring insect, is described by this Hebrew word, which refers specifically to the young locust or caterpillar stage, known for eating and destroying crops.
Definition: 1) young locust (early stage of development) 1a) caterpillar (as devouring)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: cankerworm, caterpillar. See also: Psalms 105:34; Joel 1:4; Jeremiah 51:14.
וְ/עָנ֥וּ ʻânâh H6030 "to dwell" Conj | V-Qal-3cp
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
עָלַ֖יִ/ךְ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff
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.
הֵידָֽד hêydâd H1959 "shout" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'shout' describes a loud cheer or acclaim, used to express joy or triumph, like the shouts of celebration when Jerusalem's wall was rebuilt.
Definition: 1) a shout, cheer, shouting 1a) shouting 1b) shout (of the foe)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: shout(-ing). See also: Isaiah 16:9; Jeremiah 25:30; Isaiah 16:10.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 51:14

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Joel 2:25 I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts— the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust — My great army that I sent against you.
2 Jeremiah 50:15 Raise a war cry against her on every side! She has thrown up her hands in surrender; her towers have fallen; her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take out your vengeance upon her; as she has done, do the same to her.
3 Jeremiah 49:13 For by Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that Bozrah will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and a curse, and all her cities will be in ruins forever.”
4 Amos 6:8 The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself—the LORD, the God of Hosts, has declared: “I abhor Jacob’s pride and detest his citadels, so I will deliver up the city and everything in it.”
5 Joel 2:3–4 Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland— surely nothing will escape them. Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds.
6 Nahum 3:15–17 There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and consume you like a young locust. Make yourself many like the young locust; make yourself many like the swarming locust! You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The young locust strips the land and flies away. Your guards are like the swarming locust, and your scribes like clouds of locusts that settle on the walls on a cold day. When the sun rises, they fly away, and no one knows where.
7 Jeremiah 51:27 “Raise a banner in the land! Blow the ram’s horn among the nations! Prepare the nations against her. Summon the kingdoms against her— Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a captain against her; bring up horses like swarming locusts.
8 Joel 1:4–7 What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten. Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth. For a nation has invaded My land, powerful and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and its fangs are the fangs of a lioness. It has laid waste My grapevine and splintered My fig tree. It has stripped off the bark and thrown it away; the branches have turned white.
9 Hebrews 6:13 When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
10 Jeremiah 46:23 They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted.

Jeremiah 51:14 Summary

Jeremiah 51:14 tells us that God has promised to fill Babylon with soldiers, as many as locusts, and these soldiers will cheer when they win. This shows us how powerful God is and that He keeps His promises. Just like God used locusts as a plague in Exodus 10:4-19 to show His power, He promises to use an army to judge Babylon. This reminds us that God is always in control and will judge those who are against Him, as seen in Psalms 9:7-8, where God is praised for judging the world with righteousness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to swear by Himself?

When God swears by Himself, as seen in Jeremiah 51:14, it emphasizes the certainty and unchangeability of His promise, much like we see in Hebrews 6:13, where God swears by His own name because there is no one greater.

Why does God use the analogy of locusts in this verse?

The comparison to locusts, as in Jeremiah 51:14, symbolizes a vast and overwhelming invasion, highlighting the extent of God's judgment, similar to the plague of locusts in Exodus 10:4-19, where locusts devoured everything left by the hail.

What is the significance of the phrase 'they will shout in triumph over you'?

This phrase indicates the complete victory and dominance of God's people over their enemies, reflecting a theme seen in Psalms 108:9, where the psalmist declares triumph in God's name, and in Isaiah 25:1-5, where God's people rejoice over the downfall of their oppressors.

How does this verse relate to God's character as described in other parts of the Bible?

Jeremiah 51:14 shows God's justice and power, consistent with His character described in Isaiah 40:28, where He is the Creator of the ends of the earth, and in Deuteronomy 32:4, where He is called the Rock, perfect in all His ways.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse teach us about the power and authority of God, and how can we apply this understanding to our personal lives and challenges?
  2. In what ways can we, like the locusts, be instruments of God's judgment or blessing, and how should this realization affect our daily choices and actions?
  3. How does the promise of triumph over enemies, as mentioned in Jeremiah 51:14, encourage believers in the face of adversity, and what examples from the Bible support this promise?
  4. What does the image of being 'filled up with men as with locusts' suggest about the overwhelming nature of God's judgment, and how should this image influence our reverence for God?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:14

The Lord hath sworn by himself, [saying],.... Or, "by his soul" or "life" (q); which is himself, than which he cannot swear by a greater, Hebrews 6:13; and the certain performance of what he swears

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:14

The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:14

The Lord, that is able to bring to pass what he saith, hath sworn by his life, or by himself; see the like phrase 44:26 49:13 6:8 ; that is, the thing next mentioned shall come to pass as certainly as that there is a God in heaven, or that God liveth. Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillars; I will bring against thee a great army, that shall be like a swarm of caterpillars, and shall come against thee in such numbers as caterpillars use to come, and for the same end, to eat thee up and destroy thee; and as soldiers use do when they go on to fight their enemies, or to assault cities, they shall make a great shout against thee.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:14

Jeremiah 51:14 The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, [saying], Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.Ver. 14. Surely I will fill thee with men as with caterpillers.] So they shall seem both for multitude and humming noise, barritu militari. They shall lift up a shout against thee.] As peasants did at their harvest home. See Jeremiah 48:33.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:14

(14) The Lord of hosts hath sworn by himself.—This is, as in Jeremiah 49:13; Amos 6:8, the most solemn form of affirmation. Compare Hebrews 6:13, and Note on Jeremiah 49:13. Surely I will fill thee with men, as with Caterpillers.—Better, with grasshoppers or locusts, the fullest type of the swarms of the destroyer (Nahum 3:15). The “Surely” answers to the Hebrew “For if,” as giving the condition on which the shouting depends. They shall lift up a shout against thee.—The thought is the same as in Jeremiah 25:30. The “shout” is that of those who tread the grapes in the wine-press, and that, as in Isaiah 63:2-3, is the received symbol of conquest and destruction.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:14

Verse 14. I will fill thee with men] By means of these very waters through the channel of thy boasted river, thou shalt be filled with men, suddenly appearing as an army of locusts; and, without being expected, shall lift up a terrific cry, as soon as they have risen from the channel of the river.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:14

14. I will fill, etc.] rather, Though I have filled thee (better, thou art filled) with men (i.e. innumerable inhabitants), as with locusts (viz. in point of numbers), they (the assailants) shall lift up, etc. cankerworm] the locust in its early (pupa) stage. Cp. Jeremiah 51:27, where see note. a shout] the vintage song, See on Jeremiah 25:30.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:14

Rather, “Surely I have filled thee with men as with locusts, and they shall sing over thee the vintage-song.” The vintage-shout suggests the idea of trampling Babylon under foot, as the vintagers

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:14

14. The Lord of hosts hath sworn — The solemnity of oathtaking is employed in announcing this destruction. By himself — The margin is more exactly literal and more expressive, by his soul. Caterpillars — Rather, locusts.

Sermons on Jeremiah 51:14

SermonDescription
Milton Green (Saved Through the Fire) 13 - God's True Message by Milton Green In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of the day of the Lord, where God will judge and punish all nations based on their actions. He warns that whatever one gives out
Milton Green (The Church in the Last Days) 09 - Babylon by Milton Green In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the dangers of living according to the flesh and being drawn into sensuality. He warns against false security and the teachings that promote
Alan Redpath A Word for the Down-Hearted by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the preacher addresses those who are feeling discouraged and downhearted. God speaks to His people, urging them to listen to Him amidst the various voices they have
L.E. Maxwell Revival - Part 1 by L.E. Maxwell In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a sense of wonder and awe towards God. He explains that when people lose this sense of wonder, they are in need of
K.P. Yohannan Failure & Brokenness by K.P. Yohannan In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of preparing for a year-end conference in Ajmer, India. He expresses his concern about being in high demand and the pressure to de
William MacDonald Audio Sermon: Backsliding by William MacDonald This sermon delves into the theme of backsliding, exploring the consequences and the way back to God's grace. It emphasizes the importance of confession, forsaking sin, and seeking
Christine Lamicela Beyond Obedience by Christine Lamicela In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following God's calling and not holding back others from fulfilling their purpose. The story of Noah and his obedience to G

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