Jeremiah 51:8
Jeremiah 51:8 in Multiple Translations
Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Sudden is the downfall of Babylon and her destruction: make cries of grief for her; take sweet oil for her pain, if it is possible for her to be made well.
Now, all of a sudden, Babylon has fallen. She has been smashed to pieces. Weep for her; get her some treatment for her pain. Maybe she can be healed.
Babel is suddenly fallen, and destroyed: howle for her, bring balme for her sore, if she may be healed.
Suddenly hath Babylon fallen, Yea, it is broken, howl ye for it, Take balm for her pain, if so be it may be healed.
Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed! Wail for her! Take balm for her pain. Perhaps she may be healed.
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, it may be she may be healed.
Babylon is suddenly fallen, and destroyed: howl for her, take balm for her pain, if so she may be healed.
But suddenly Babylon will be conquered. You foreigners who live in Babylon, weep for its people. Give them medicine for their wounds; perhaps they can be healed.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 51:8
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 51:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פִּתְאֹ֛ם
נָפְלָ֥ה
בָבֶ֖ל
וַ/תִּשָּׁבֵ֑ר
הֵילִ֣ילוּ
עָלֶ֗י/הָ
קְח֤וּ
צֳרִי֙
לְ/מַכְאוֹבָ֔/הּ
אוּלַ֖י
תֵּרָפֵֽא
פִּתְאֹ֛ם
pithʼôwm
H6597
suddenly
Adv
נָפְלָ֥ה
nâphal
H5307
to fall
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
בָבֶ֖ל
Bâbel
H894
Babylon
N-proper
וַ/תִּשָּׁבֵ֑ר
shâbar
H7665
to break
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הֵילִ֣ילוּ
yâlal
H3213
to wail
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
עָלֶ֗י/הָ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
קְח֤וּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
צֳרִי֙
tsᵉrîy
H6875
balsam
N-ms
לְ/מַכְאוֹבָ֔/הּ
makʼôb
H4341
pain
Prep | N-ms | Suff
אוּלַ֖י
ʼûwlay
H194
perhaps
Adv
תֵּרָפֵֽא
râphâʼ
H7495
to heal
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 51:8
פִּתְאֹ֛ם
pithʼôwm
H6597
"suddenly"
Adv
This word means happening suddenly or quickly, like an unexpected event. It is used in the Bible to describe surprising things that happen to people like Jacob and Joseph.
Definition: adv 1) suddenly, surprisingly subst 2) suddenness
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: straightway, sudden(-ly). See also: Numbers 6:9; Proverbs 7:22; Psalms 64:5.
נָפְלָ֥ה
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
בָבֶ֖ל
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.
וַ/תִּשָּׁבֵ֑ר
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
הֵילִ֣ילוּ
yâlal
H3213
"to wail"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
This word means to wail or howl, expressing strong emotions like sadness or pain, used to describe a loud, mournful cry.
Definition: (Hiphil) to howl, wail, make a howling
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (make to) howl, be howling. See also: Isaiah 13:6; Jeremiah 48:31; Isaiah 14:31.
עָלֶ֗י/הָ
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.
קְח֤וּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
צֳרִי֙
tsᵉrîy
H6875
"balsam"
N-ms
This word refers to a type of balsam, a fragrant resin used for medicine and trade. It was a valuable commodity in ancient times, used to heal and perfume.
Definition: 1) a kind of balsam, balm, salve 1a) as merchandise 1b) as medicine
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: balm. See also: Genesis 37:25; Jeremiah 46:11; Jeremiah 8:22.
לְ/מַכְאוֹבָ֔/הּ
makʼôb
H4341
"pain"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This word describes physical or mental pain, like sorrow or grief. It is used in the Bible to express deep emotional or physical hurt. The KJV translates it as grief, pain, or sorrow.
Definition: 1) pain, sorrow 1a) pain (physical) 1b) pain (mental)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: grief, pain, sorrow. See also: Exodus 3:7; Ecclesiastes 2:23; Psalms 32:10.
אוּלַ֖י
ʼûwlay
H194
"perhaps"
Adv
Ulay means perhaps or if not, used to express uncertainty or doubt. It appears in various forms, such as peradventure or unless. It helps to convey tentative ideas.
Definition: 1) perhaps, peradventure 2) if peradventure 3) unless 4) suppose
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: if so be, may be, peradventure, unless. See also: Genesis 16:2; 1 Samuel 14:6; Isaiah 37:4.
תֵּרָפֵֽא
râphâʼ
H7495
"to heal"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to heal or mend, often referring to God's power to cure physical or emotional hurts, as seen in Psalm 103:3.
Definition: 1) to heal, make healthful 1a) (Qal) to heal 1a1) of God 1a2) healer, physician (of men) 1a3) of hurts of nations involving restored favour (fig) 1a4) of individual distresses (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be healed 1b1) literal (of persons) 1b2) of water, pottery 1b3) of national hurts (fig) 1b4) of personal distress (fig) 1c) (Piel) to heal 1c1) literal 1c2) of national defects or hurts (fig) 1d) (Hithpael) in order to get healed (infinitive)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, [idiom] thoroughly, make whole. See H7503 (רָפָה). See also: Genesis 20:17; Psalms 107:20; Psalms 6:3.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 51:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 51:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:8
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
- Sermons on Jeremiah 51:8
Context — Judgment on Babylon
6Flee from Babylon! Escape with your lives! Do not be destroyed in her punishment. For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves.
7Babylon 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.
8Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been shattered. Wail for her; get her balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.
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.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 46:11 | Go up to Gilead for balm, O Virgin Daughter of Egypt! In vain you try many remedies, but for you there is no healing. |
| 2 | Isaiah 21:9 | Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!” |
| 3 | Revelation 14:8 | Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.” |
| 4 | 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.’ |
| 5 | Jeremiah 48:20 | Moab is put to shame, for it has been shattered. Wail and cry out! Declare by the Arnon that Moab is destroyed. |
| 6 | Revelation 18:2 | And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. |
| 7 | Isaiah 13:6–7 | Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. |
| 8 | Revelation 18:17–19 | For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.” |
| 9 | Jeremiah 8:22 | Is there no balm in Gilead? Is no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored? |
| 10 | Revelation 18:8–11 | Therefore her plagues will come in one day— death and grief and famine— and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo— |
Jeremiah 51:8 Summary
Jeremiah 51:8 tells us that Babylon, a powerful and sinful nation, has suddenly fallen and been destroyed. Despite this, God expresses sorrow over Babylon's destruction and even suggests the possibility of healing, showing His deep desire for restoration and redemption. This verse reminds us that God is both a God of judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 51:6, and a God of love and mercy, as expressed in Psalm 103:8. As we reflect on this verse, we are called to consider God's heart for all nations and people, and our role in sharing His message of redemption and salvation with a world in need, just as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Babylon to 'fall and be shattered' in Jeremiah 51:8?
This phrase signifies the complete and sudden destruction of Babylon, much like the fall of other nations in the Bible, such as Sodom and Gomorrah, as described in Genesis 19:24-25. This event serves as a reminder of God's judgment on sinful nations.
Why is the command given to 'wail for her' and 'get her balm for her pain' if Babylon is beyond healing?
The command to wail and seek healing for Babylon may seem contradictory, but it highlights the depth of God's sorrow over the destruction of any nation, as seen in Ezekiel 33:11. It also underscores the idea that even in judgment, God desires restoration and healing, as expressed in Jeremiah 3:22.
Is the possibility of Babylon's healing mentioned in Jeremiah 51:8 a genuine offer of salvation?
The offer to heal Babylon is more of a rhetorical expression of God's desire for restoration, rather than a realistic expectation of salvation, given the context of Jeremiah 51:9, which states that 'she could not be healed.' It reflects the sorrow and longing of God for the redemption of all nations, as seen in Psalm 67:2-3.
How does the fall of Babylon relate to God's plan of redemption for His people?
The fall of Babylon serves as a reminder of God's power and sovereignty, as well as His desire to redeem and vindicate His people, as stated in Jeremiah 51:10. This event ultimately points to the greater redemption that God would accomplish through Jesus Christ, as foretold in Isaiah 49:26 and fulfilled in Revelation 21:4.
Reflection Questions
- What does the sudden fall of Babylon reveal about God's character and His relationship with nations?
- In what ways can we, as believers, balance the call to evangelism and discipleship with the recognition of God's judgment on sinful nations?
- How does the command to 'wail for her' challenge our response to the suffering and downfall of others, whether individuals or nations?
- What does the image of Babylon as a 'gold cup' in Jeremiah 51:7 reveal about the allure and danger of worldly power and influence?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 51:8
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed,.... Or "broken" (g); even into shivers, as a cup is; for when it had been used to answer the purposes designed by the Lord, he let it fall cut of his hands
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 51:8
Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed. Howl for her: take balm for her pain ... we would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
That is, she shall suddenly fall and be destroyed; you may try all the probable ways for her cure, but they will all be used to no purpose.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
Jeremiah 51:8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.Ver. 8. Babylon is suddenly fallen.] Jeremiah 50:2. So ruet alto a culmine Roma So Rome will be destroyed from its highest heights. If so be she may be healed,] q.d., Try you may, but it is to no purpose. See Jeremiah 46:11.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
(8) Babylon is suddenly fallen . . .—The form of announcement seems taken in part from Isaiah 21:9. Take balm for her pain . . .—The words are significant. The captive people are not invited simply to raise a shout of triumph at the fall of their oppressor: they are to “take balm” (comp. the use of the same image in Jeremiah 8:22; Jeremiah 46:11), and try to heal her. They are still to “seek the peace of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7), to render kindly service, to pour balm into the bleeding wounds.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
Verse 8. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed] These appear to be the words of some of the spectators of Babylon's misery.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 51:8
8. take balm] See on Jeremiah 46:11.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 51:8
Destroyed - literally, broken, as was the hammer Jeremiah 50:23. The cup, though of metal, is thrown down so violently as to be shattered by the fall.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 51:8
8. Destroyed — Literally, broken. This suggests a change in the figure, or that golden means ornamented with gold, or that this golden cup, though metal, is dashed so violently as to be shattered.
Sermons on Jeremiah 51:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 21-25 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of the United States and the world, highlighting the military buildup by Russia and the impending superwar. The preacher em |
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Revelation 2 - Through the Bible by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the book of Revelation, highlighting the battle between good and evil, the triumph of Jesus Christ over the devil, the importance of living a transparent an |
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If Any Man by J.C. Ryle | The preacher delves into the concept of outbursts of anger, exploring the Greek word 'thumos' which describes a passionate and impulsive anger that rushes along, often leading to s |
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(In the Word) 11 - the Mother of Harlots by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than adhering to old traditions or wrong teachings. They urge listeners to listen to the e |
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(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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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 20:1 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of standing up for righteousness in a fallen world. He introduces his new book, "Standing Up in a Fallen World," which i |
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The Word in a Recession by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of placing our confidence solely in God, rather than in worldly possessions or external factors. He warns against being foole |