Jeremiah 51:20
Jeremiah 51:20 in Multiple Translations
“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin.
Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
Thou art my battle-axe and weapons of war: and with thee will I break in pieces the nations; and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
You are my fighting axe and my instrument of war: with you the nations will be broken; with you kingdoms will be broken;
You are my war club, the weapon I use in battle. I use you to destroy nations; I use you to destroy kingdoms.
Thou art mine hammer, and weapons of warre: for with thee will I breake the nations, and with thee wil I destroy kingdomes,
An axe [art] thou to me — weapons of war, And I have broken in pieces by thee nations, And I have destroyed by thee kingdoms,
“You are my battle ax and weapons of war. With you I will break the nations into pieces. With you I will destroy kingdoms.
Thou art my battle-ax and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
Thou dashest together for me the weapons of war, and with thee I will dash nations together, and with thee I will destroy kingdoms:
Yahweh says about the army of Babylonia (OR, about a nation that will attack Babylonia), “You have been like [MET] my battle-axe and war-club; with your power I have shattered nations and destroyed many kingdoms.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 51:20
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 51:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַפֵּץ
אַתָּ֣ה
לִ֔/י
כְּלֵ֖י
מִלְחָמָ֑ה
וְ/נִפַּצְתִּ֤י
בְ/ךָ֙
גּוֹיִ֔ם
וְ/הִשְׁחַתִּ֥י
בְ/ךָ֖
מַמְלָכֽוֹת
מַפֵּץ
mappêts
H4661
war-club
N-ms
אַתָּ֣ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
לִ֔/י
Prep | Suff
כְּלֵ֖י
kᵉlîy
H3627
article/utensil
N-mp
מִלְחָמָ֑ה
milchâmâh
H4421
battle
N-fs
וְ/נִפַּצְתִּ֤י
nâphats
H5310
to shatter
Conj | V-Piel-1cs
בְ/ךָ֙
Prep | Suff
גּוֹיִ֔ם
gôwy
H1471
Gentile
N-mp
וְ/הִשְׁחַתִּ֥י
shâchath
H7843
to ruin
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
בְ/ךָ֖
Prep | Suff
מַמְלָכֽוֹת
mamlâkâh
H4467
kingdom
N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 51:20
מַפֵּץ
mappêts
H4661
"war-club"
N-ms
Mappets is a war-club or battle axe used in combat. It symbolizes strength and power in battle, as seen in ancient warfare.
Definition: war club, club, battle axe, hammer
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: battle ax. See also: Jeremiah 51:20.
אַתָּ֣ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
לִ֔/י
""
Prep | Suff
כְּלֵ֖י
kᵉlîy
H3627
"article/utensil"
N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to any object or tool, like a utensil or a piece of furniture. It is used to describe a wide range of items, from musical instruments to weapons. It emphasizes the object's purpose or function.
Definition: 1) article, vessel, implement, utensil 1a) article, object (general) 1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel 1b1) implement (of hunting or war) 1b2) implement (of music) 1b3) implement, tool (of labour) 1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen) 1b5) utensils, furniture 1c) vessel, receptacle (general) 1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed
Usage: Occurs in 276 OT verses. KJV: armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever. See also: Genesis 24:53; 1 Samuel 14:13; Ezra 8:26.
מִלְחָמָ֑ה
milchâmâh
H4421
"battle"
N-fs
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
וְ/נִפַּצְתִּ֤י
nâphats
H5310
"to shatter"
Conj | V-Piel-1cs
This Hebrew word means to scatter or disperse, and it's used when people or things are broken apart. It appears in books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where God scatters His people as punishment, but also promises to gather them back.
Definition: 1) to shatter, break, dash, beat in pieces 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to shatter 1a2) shattering (infinitive) 1b) (Piel) to dash to pieces 1c) (Pual) to pulverise
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: be beaten in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread, scatter. See also: Genesis 9:19; Isaiah 33:3; Psalms 2:9.
בְ/ךָ֙
""
Prep | Suff
גּוֹיִ֔ם
gôwy
H1471
"Gentile"
N-mp
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.
וְ/הִשְׁחַתִּ֥י
shâchath
H7843
"to ruin"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
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.
בְ/ךָ֖
""
Prep | Suff
מַמְלָכֽוֹת
mamlâkâh
H4467
"kingdom"
N-fp
This word refers to a kingdom or dominion, describing a ruler's power or territory. In the Bible, it is used to describe the kingdoms of Israel and other nations, as well as God's sovereignty. It emphasizes a ruler's authority and control.
Definition: 1) kingdom, dominion, reign, sovereignty 1a) kingdom, realm 1b) sovereignty, dominion 1c) reign
Usage: Occurs in 113 OT verses. KJV: kingdom, king's, reign, royal. See also: Genesis 10:10; 2 Chronicles 22:9; Psalms 46:7.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 51:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 51:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:20
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
- Sermons on Jeremiah 51:20
Context — Babylon’s Punishment
18They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.
19The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and of the tribe of His inheritance— the LORD of Hosts is His name.
20“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin.
21With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. 22With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 41:15–16 | Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel. |
| 2 | Micah 4:13 | Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron and hooves of bronze to break to pieces many peoples. Then you will devote their gain to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. |
| 3 | Isaiah 37:26 | Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble. |
| 4 | Zechariah 9:13–14 | For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man. Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will sound the ram’s horn and advance in the whirlwinds of the south. |
| 5 | Isaiah 14:5–6 | The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers. It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 27:5–7 | By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please. So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him. |
| 7 | Matthew 22:7 | The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. |
| 8 | Isaiah 10:5 | Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 25:9 | behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 50:23 | How the hammer of the whole earth lies broken and shattered! What a horror Babylon has become among the nations! |
Jeremiah 51:20 Summary
In Jeremiah 51:20, God is saying that He wants to use His people as a powerful tool to bring about His plans and purposes. This means that we can trust in His strength and power, rather than our own, to overcome challenges and bring about positive change in the world. As it says in Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, and we can rely on Him to help us in times of trouble. By trusting in God and being obedient to His will, we can be used by Him to bring about great things and advance His kingdom, as seen in Matthew 6:10 and Matthew 28:18-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a 'war club' in Jeremiah 51:20?
In this context, being a 'war club' means being an instrument of God's judgment and power, similar to how God used Israel to judge other nations in the Old Testament, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:4-5 and Isaiah 10:5-6.
Is God only speaking to Israel in Jeremiah 51:20, or can other believers apply this verse to themselves?
While God is directly addressing Israel in this verse, the principle of being used by God as an instrument of His power and judgment can be applied to all believers, as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and Ephesians 6:10-18.
How can a believer be a 'weapon for battle' in a way that honors God?
A believer can be a 'weapon for battle' by trusting in God's power and wisdom, and by being obedient to His will, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7.
What kind of 'nations' and 'kingdoms' is God talking about in Jeremiah 51:20?
In this context, God is likely referring to spiritual strongholds and kingdoms of darkness, as well as physical nations that oppose Him, as seen in Ephesians 6:12 and Revelation 20:1-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can be used by God as a 'war club' or 'weapon for battle' in my own life and community?
- How can I trust in God's power and wisdom, rather than my own strength and abilities, when facing challenges and spiritual battles?
- What are some 'nations' or 'kingdoms' in my own life that need to be brought under God's authority and power, and how can I partner with Him to do so?
- How can I balance the idea of being a 'weapon for battle' with the command to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me, as seen in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-36?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:20
Thou [art] my battle axe [and] weapons of war,.... This is said by the Lord, either to Cyrus, as some, to which our version inclines, whom God made use of as an instrument to subdue nations and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:20
Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; Thou art my battle-ax ... - (note, Jeremiah 50:23). With thee will I break in pieces the nations.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
Interpreters are here divided, whether by thou or thee in this and the following verses to understand Cyrus, whom God made use of to destroy Babylon and many other places, or Babylon. Our translators understand it of Cyrus, and therefore speak of the future tense, will I. The Hebrew text will not resolve us; I rather incline to interpret it of Babylon, as indeed the most do, and so it should be, Thou hast been, and art, for that is the sense; Cyrus and Darius were not yet in being. God had made use of Babylon like a hammer or battle-axe to break many nations in pieces.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
Jeremiah 51:20 Thou [art] my battle axe [and] weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;Ver. 20. Thou art my battle axe, and weapon of war.] Cestra fuisti mihi, Thou hast been my pole axe, such as horsemen use to batter their enemies’ helmets and other harness.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
(20) Thou art my battle ax . . .—Better, my mace. The axe is not found on Assyrian monuments as a weapon of war till a comparatively late period. It is a question who is thus addressed—Babylon, or Cyrus as the destroyer of Babylon, or Israel. On the whole, the second seems the more probable answer. The “hammer of the whole earth” is broken by a mightier weapon than itself. (See Note on Jeremiah 50:23.) With thee will I break in pieces . . .—The tense, in this and in the following, should be the present. The force of the verb is multiplied by the emphatic iteration. All obstacles are to be crushed in the victorious march of the conqueror.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
Verse 20. Thou art my battle axe] I believe Nebuchadnezzar is meant, who is called, Jeremiah 50:23, the hammer of the whole earth. Others think the words are spoken of Cyrus. All the verbs are in the past tense: "With thee have I broken in pieces," &c., &c.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:20
20–24. Is it (a) Cyrus, as conqueror of Babylon, or (b) Babylon herself, that is addressed? Jeremiah 51:24 seems to support (a), but on the whole (b) is perhaps preferable. The future tenses can as well be rendered as presents, denoting what Babylon has hitherto been accustomed to do as the instrument of Jehovah. This view also harmonizes with Jeremiah 51:14 (while we omit 15–19; see note there), as well as with Jeremiah 51:25 ff., where Babylon is certainly the subject.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:20
Or, Thou art my maul, weapons of war etc. The maul or mace Proverbs 25:18 only differs from the hammer Jeremiah 50:23 in being used for warlike purposes.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:20
20-24. Thou art — By “thou,” Ewald understands the king of Israel; Grotius, Cyrus and the Medes; Nagelsbach, an ideal person; Calmet and most expositors, Babylon. The last is to be preferred, and is supported by Jeremiah 50:23.
Sermons on Jeremiah 51:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(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 |
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God's Agency in War by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes God's sovereignty and agency in the affairs of nations, particularly in times of war and judgment. He argues that just as God punished nations in the Old Testa |
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Service and Servanthood of the Lord - Part 7 of 8 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the sharp threshing instrument in the ministry of Jesus. The instrument represents the dividing line between the false and |
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Psalm 114 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches on the greatness and glory of God as shown in His dealings with Israel, highlighting their deliverance from Egypt and consecration as a peculiar people, drawing |
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A Bar of Steel by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches on the transformative process of God's refining work in our lives, using the analogy of a bar of steel being shaped into valuable tools through intense d |
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Jude #3 - the Angels That Sinned by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a controversial passage in the Bible, specifically verse 6 of Jude. The speaker presents three views on the interpretation of this verse. The |
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Governed by the Word of God by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that if Christ is the supreme authority over His kingdom, then our lives must be governed by Him in every aspect. He explains that to be governed by Jesu |