Jeremiah 50:15
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It's striking how the verse emphasizes Babylon's complete helplessness, even describing her "foundations" as fallen. This isn't just about physical walls crumbling, but the very bedrock of her power and perceived invincibility being utterly dissolved, leaving her exposed to God's retaliatory justice. It reveals that true security is never found in human defenses, but only in right relationship with the Lord.
Raise a shout against her all around; she has surrendered; her bulwarks have fallen; her walls are thrown down. For this is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse arrives in the midst of God's judgment being declared against Babylon, which has long oppressed His people. Jeremiah is prophesying not just the downfall of the city, but calling on the Medes and Persians, the instruments of God's wrath, to attack and conquer her completely. The context emphasizes that this isn't just a military victory but divine retribution for Babylon's cruelty and pride.
Imagine the sound – a deafening roar echoing around the mighty walls of Babylon. What does this 'shout' signify in God's plan?
The verse begins with a powerful command: 'Raise a shout against her all around.' This isn't just any noise; it's the strategic, triumphant war cry of an army surrounding a city, designed to demoralize the defenders and bolster the attackers.
A Sound of Surrender
Commentators highlight that this shout accompanies the city's complete downfall. It’s the sound of victory, signaling that the city's defenses are gone: 'she has surrendered; her bulwarks have fallen; her walls are thrown down.' This imagery paints a picture of absolute defeat, where even the strongest fortifications are rendered useless.
God's Sovereign Hand
This isn't merely a human victory; it's orchestrated by God. The shout is against Babylon because its defenses have fallen, signifying that its time is up. The prophet uses this vivid imagery to declare that God is in control, using human armies as instruments of His judgment.
The verse delivers a stark, almost chilling, command: 'do to her as she has done.' What does this principle of 'lex talionis' reveal about God's justice?
The core of this verse lies in its declaration of divine justice: 'For this is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done.' This isn't a call for random violence, but a statement of righteous, retributive justice.
God's Justice in Action
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The phrase 'as she has done, do unto her' points to the law of retaliation, often called 'lex talionis.' God declares that Babylon will experience the same kind of destruction and suffering it inflicted on others, particularly His people Israel. This demonstrates that God holds nations accountable for their cruelty and oppression.
A Just and Holy God
This principle isn't about us personally enacting revenge. Instead, it underscores God's perfect justice. He is not indifferent to evil. When nations or individuals commit atrocities, God's holiness demands a response. He is the ultimate judge, and while He uses human agents like the Medes and Persians, the ultimate source and authority for this judgment is divine.
The phrase 'she has given her hand' might sound strange. What does this gesture of submission reveal about Babylon's true state?
The verse speaks of Babylon having 'given her hand.' This is a potent image signifying surrender and the inability to resist further.
A Sign of Defeat
Historically, 'giving the hand' was a gesture of submission, acknowledging defeat and yielding oneself to the conqueror's power. It's like a soldier laying down their arms and offering their hand to be taken by the victor. It signals the end of resistance.
Foundations and Walls Crumble
This submission is not a choice made from strength, but an admission of utter weakness. The text immediately follows this by stating, 'her bulwarks have fallen; her walls are thrown down.' The physical defenses are gone, and the city, despite its former might, can no longer stand. This imagery emphasizes that even human power and fortified structures are ultimately insufficient against God's decree.
Understand the original words
naqam · Hebrew Noun
The prerogative of God as the ultimate Judge to execute justice and retribution against those who have harmed His people or defied His sovereignty. It is judicial restoration of balance rather than personal vendetta.
ashurah · Hebrew Noun
A military term referring to defensive structures, towers, or fortifications used to protect a city from enemy attack. In scripture, they often symbolize human security that fails against God's judgment.
This verse vividly depicts the fall of Babylon, a city known for its mighty walls and arrogant pride. The conquest by Cyrus the Great wasn't just a military victory; it was the culmination of God's judgment against Babylon for its cruelty, especially towards His people, fulfilling the principle of 'as she has done, so is done to her.'
c. 626 BC
Nabopolassar founds the Neo-Babylonian Empire
Following the collapse of Assyrian power, Nabopolassar establishes a new Babylonian empire, marking the beginning of Babylon's final, dominant era.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation of Jews
Nebuchadnezzar II, after defeating Egyptian and Assyrian forces, begins deporting Jewish elites to Babylon, including the prophet Daniel.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Jerusalem's population and its king, Jehoiachin, to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon, fulfilling many of Jeremiah's prophecies.
550 BC
Cyrus the Great founds the Persian Empire
Cyrus unites the Medes and Persians, establishing a vast empire that would soon threaten Babylon.
539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event is the direct fulfillment of prophecies like Jeremiah 50, including the downfall described in this verse.
538 BC
Decree of Cyrus allows Jewish return
Following his conquest, Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
This passage describes Babylon as a 'virgin daughter' being brought down and humiliated, echoing the sentiment of judgment and downfall found in Jeremiah 50:15.
Psalm 137:8This psalm directly calls for Babylon's destruction based on its cruelty, stating 'Happy shall he be who requites you with what you have done to us,' which strongly parallels the 'as she has done, do to her' command in Jeremiah 50:15.
Revelation 18:6This New Testament passage describes divine retribution against 'Babylon the great,' commanding, 'Pay her back as she also paid, and double to her the double according to her works,' mirroring the retaliatory justice in Jeremiah.
Nahum 3:1-19This prophecy details the utter destruction and fall of Nineveh, describing a similar scene of a proud city being overrun, its walls broken down, and its people facing vengeance.
clarkeJeremiah 50:15: "Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her."
Shout against her round about - Encompass her with lines and with troops; let none go in with relief, none come out to escape from her ruin.
calvinJeremiah 50:15: "Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her."
Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.
Vociferamini contra eam per circuitum; dedit manum suam; cecider…
It's striking how the verse emphasizes Babylon's complete helplessness, even describing her "foundations" as fallen. This isn't just about physical walls crumbling, but the very bedrock of her power and perceived invincibility being utterly dissolved, leaving her exposed to God's retaliatory justice. It reveals that true security is never found in human defenses, but only in right relationship with the Lord.
This verse arrives in the midst of God's judgment being declared against Babylon, which has long oppressed His people. Jeremiah is prophesying not just the downfall of the city, but calling on the Medes and Persians, the instruments of God's wrath, to attack and conquer her completely. The context emphasizes that this isn't just a military victory but divine retribution for Babylon's cruelty and pride.
This verse arrives in the midst of God's judgment being declared against Babylon, which has long oppressed His people. Jeremiah is prophesying not just the downfall of the city, but calling on the Medes and Persians, the instruments of God's wrath, to attack and conquer her completely. The context emphasizes that this isn't just a military victory but divine retribution for Babylon's cruelty and pride.
"Raise a shout against her all around; she has surrendered; her bulwarks have fallen; her walls are thrown down. For this is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her; do to her as she has done." — It's striking how the verse emphasizes Babylon's complete helplessness, even describing her "foundations" as fallen. This isn't just about physical walls crumbling, but the very bedrock of her power…
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Last reviewed October 2026
