Jeremiah 50:14
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The text highlights not just that Babylon sinned, but how her sin made her a target: the call to "shoot at her, spare no arrows" emphasizes that her transgressions against the Lord, especially her mistreatment of His people, were so profound that they invited total destruction, leaving no room for leniency in the impending judgment. This isn't just a military command, but a declaration that God's justice is fully warranted due to the depth of her offenses.
Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is a divine declaration and command to the nations, specifically calling on the Medes and Persians to march against Babylon. It highlights Babylon's deep sinfulness, particularly its cruelty and arrogance towards God's people, as the justification for its impending judgment. The verse sets the stage for the detailed description of Babylon's utter destruction and the subsequent restoration of Israel.
Ever feel like you're supposed to take a stand against something wrong, but you're not sure how? This verse gives a clear picture of God calling His people to action.
Jeremiah calls out to an army, specifically identifying them by their skill: 'all you who bend the bow.' This isn't just a random battle cry; it's a strategic command. The Medes and Persians, who would eventually conquer Babylon, were renowned archers. God’s instruction to 'shoot at her, spare no arrows' emphasizes the completeness of the coming judgment. It's a call to deploy every resource, leaving nothing unused, because the target is marked for destruction.
Why does God unleash such fierce judgment? This verse gives us the ultimate reason, and it’s a powerful reminder for all of us.
The core reason for Babylon's impending doom is starkly stated: 'for she has sinned against the LORD.' This wasn't just political oppression or cultural decay; it was a direct affront to God Himself. The commentaries point out that Babylon's sins included idolatry, extravagance, and especially their cruel treatment of God's people, the Israelites. By oppressing them, Babylon essentially declared war on God's covenant people, making their cause God's own. Every act of injustice and defiance against humanity is, at its root, a sin against the Creator.
Understand the original words
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chata' · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the act of missing the mark of God's standard of righteousness. It involves disobedience, rebellion, and failing to conform to the character or commands of the Creator.
This prophecy against Babylon wasn't uttered in a vacuum; it was spoken during and after the terrifying period when the Neo-Babylonian Empire, led by Nebuchadnezzar, systematically destroyed Jerusalem and exiled God's people. The call to arms in Jeremiah 50:14 echoes the historical reality of the Medes and Persians being the instruments of God's judgment against a city that had profoundly sinned against the Lord by oppressing His people and defiling His Temple.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire Dominates
Jeremiah's prophecy is set against the backdrop of powerful empires. Initially, the Assyrian Empire was the dominant force, followed by the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
626 BC
Nabopolassar Founds Neo-Babylonian Empire
Nabopolassar, a Chaldean prince, rebels against Assyria and establishes his own kingdom in Babylon, marking the beginning of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II, son of Nabopolassar, defeats the Egyptians and begins deporting segments of the Judean population, including noble youth like Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, after a rebellion in Jerusalem. This event deeply impacted the people of Judah.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, deporting the remaining significant population. This devastating event is the primary context for much of Jeremiah's prophecy.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. This conquest fulfills Jeremiah's prophecies of Babylon's destruction and marks a new era for the exiles.
This passage also calls for armies to assemble against Babylon, emphasizing God's gathering of His forces for judgment, just as Jeremiah 50:14 does.
Jeremiah 51:3This verse directly echoes the call to action against Babylon with similar military imagery, highlighting the archers who will be sent to destroy it.
Psalm 137:8This Psalm speaks of Babylon's impending destruction and the righteous judgment that will fall upon her for her actions against God's people, which is the core reason for the judgment called for in Jeremiah 50:14.
Revelation 18:5This New Testament passage describes Babylon's sins reaching up to heaven and God remembering her deeds, providing a parallel to the 'sinned against the LORD' reason for judgment in Jeremiah 50:14.
gillJeremiah 50:14: "Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD."
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about,.... This is directed to the Medes and Persians, to dispose of their army in proper places round about the city of Babylon, to besiege it; and to order their instruments of war, fit for that purpose, a convenient manner; since they might be sure of victory, the Lord being wroth wi…
barnesJeremiah 50:14: "Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD."
place the colon after bow.
The text highlights not just that Babylon sinned, but how her sin made her a target: the call to "shoot at her, spare no arrows" emphasizes that her transgressions against the Lord, especially her mistreatment of His people, were so profound that they invited total destruction, leaving no room for leniency in the impending judgment. This isn't just a military command, but a declaration that God's justice is fully warranted due to the depth of her offenses.
This passage is a divine declaration and command to the nations, specifically calling on the Medes and Persians to march against Babylon. It highlights Babylon's deep sinfulness, particularly its cruelty and arrogance towards God's people, as the justification for its impending judgment. The verse sets the stage for the detailed description of Babylon's utter destruction and the subsequent restoration of Israel.
This passage is a divine declaration and command to the nations, specifically calling on the Medes and Persians to march against Babylon. It highlights Babylon's deep sinfulness, particularly its cruelty and arrogance towards God's people, as the justification for its impending judgment. The verse sets the stage for the detailed description of Babylon's utter destruction and the subsequent restoration of Israel.
"Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the LORD." — The text highlights not just that Babylon sinned, but how her sin made her a target: the call to "shoot at her, spare no arrows" emphasizes that her transgressions against the Lord, especially he…
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Last reviewed October 2026
