Jeremiah 50:31
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God doesn't just call Babylon "proud"; He addresses it as "O Pride" itself, personifying its arrogance as its very identity. This isn't just a description; it's how the Lord labels this nation before unleashing judgment, highlighting that its supreme self-importance is the core of its downfall.
“Behold, I am against you, O proud one, declares the Lord GOD of hosts, for your day has come, the time when I will punish you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah has just described the mobilization of armies to attack Babylon, even personifying the land itself as "Merathaim" (Double Rebellion) and "Pekod" (Rulers). In this passage, Babylon is directly addressed as "O Pride," highlighting its arrogance and self-exaltation. This declaration of God's judgment is the culmination of Babylon's defiance, marking the inevitable arrival of its punishment.
Why would the prophet call Babylon 'Pride'? It's more than just an insult; it's a profound identification.
The prophet Jeremiah doesn't just say Babylon is proud; he calls her 'Pride' itself. This is a powerful literary device, much like calling Egypt 'Rahab' (meaning arrogance) or identifying specific places with negative traits.
A Name Reflecting Character
This isn't just a description; it's a designation. By naming Babylon 'Pride,' Jeremiah emphasizes that arrogance wasn't just a flaw—it was Babylon's defining characteristic. Think of it as the core of its identity, the root of its actions.
Embodied Arrogance
This label often pointed to the self-exaltation seen in its kings, like Nebuchadnezzar, who famously boasted about his magnificent city built by his own might. This collective and individual pride ultimately positioned Babylon directly against God.
God declares His opposition to pride, but what does that look like? It means a specific, appointed time for reckoning.
When God says, 'Behold, I am against you,' it's not a passing mood but a divine declaration of war. And this opposition culminates at a predetermined time.
Appointed Judgment
The phrase 'your day has come' signifies an appointed time for judgment. It’s the moment when God’s patience runs out, and His justice is unleashed. This isn't random; it’s a planned, inevitable consequence for sustained sin and defiance.
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A Visit of Wrath
God's 'visit' here is not a friendly call. It’s a visitation of wrath and punishment, a direct response to the offenses committed, particularly the profound pride that set Babylon against the Lord God of hosts. It's the moment the scales of justice tip decisively.
Understand the original words
seba'ot · Hebrew Noun
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty over the angelic armies of heaven and the entire universe. It signifies His supreme power to accomplish His will and execute judgment.
zadon · Hebrew Noun
An attitude of self-exaltation and rebellion against God’s authority. Biblically, it is the root of all sin and brings God’s certain opposition.
paqad · Hebrew Verb
To visit someone for the purpose of passing judgment or inflicting a penalty for sin. It implies God’s active intervention in history to deal with injustice.
Jeremiah's prophecies against Babylon, including this verse, were delivered during the rise and fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The intense pride of Babylon, particularly under rulers like Nebuchadnezzar and his successors, fueled its imperial ambitions but ultimately sealed its doom, with its judgment directly linked to the destruction of Jerusalem and the ensuing exile.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Empire Conquers Israel
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians, marking a period of growing imperial dominance in the region.
689 BC
Sennacherib Destroys Babylon
The Assyrian king Sennacherib sacks and destroys Babylon, a devastating event that highlights the city's vulnerability and the ruthlessness of empires.
626 BC
Nabopolassar Establishes Neo-Babylonian Empire
Nabopolassar rebels against Assyrian rule and establishes a new, powerful Babylonian empire, setting the stage for Babylon's resurgence and eventual dominance.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, after defeating the Egyptians at Carchemish, begins deporting Judean captives, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the start of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling a large portion of the remaining population. This event is the central trauma for many of Jeremiah's prophecies.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This conquest fulfills prophecies of judgment against Babylon.
This passage describes the ultimate pride of Lucifer, who sought to ascend above God. Jeremiah 50:31 echoes this by directly addressing Babylon as 'O Pride,' highlighting how excessive self-exaltation invites divine judgment.
Daniel 4:30The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar's boastful pride led to his downfall, as detailed here. Jeremiah 50:31 can be seen as God's judgment on the entire nation of Babylon for embodying this same arrogant spirit.
Ezekiel 28:6Similar to the description of Babylon's pride, this passage condemns the king of Tyre for his arrogance and self-deification. Both texts illustrate how pride is a direct affront to God and leads to inevitable destruction.
Luke 12:48Jesus speaks of those who 'knew the master’s will but did not get ready or do what he commanded will be beaten with many blows.' This connects to Jeremiah 50:31 by showing that even those with great privilege and power, like Babylon, face severe judgment when they choose pride and disobedience over submission to God.
pulpitJeremiah 50:31: "Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee."
Verse 31. - O thou most proud; rather, O Pride! Just as in ver. 21 Babylon is called Merathaim, and as Egypt is, in Hebrew poetry, called Rahab, i.e. "boisterousness" or "arrogance" (Isaiah 30:7; Isaiah 51:9; Job 26:12; Psalm 87:4; Psalm 89:10).
pooleJeremiah 50:31: "Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee."
Babylon is particularly branded for pride, which is the swelling of a man’s heart in a self-opinion, caused from something wherein he excelleth, or thinks that he excelleth, another, We have a large account of the pride of Babylon Isaiah 14:12-14 , and particularly of one of their kings, Daniel 5:20,21 . The sinner exalteth himself against God, and e…
God doesn't just call Babylon "proud"; He addresses it as "O Pride" itself, personifying its arrogance as its very identity. This isn't just a description; it's how the Lord labels this nation before unleashing judgment, highlighting that its supreme self-importance is the core of its downfall.
Jeremiah has just described the mobilization of armies to attack Babylon, even personifying the land itself as "Merathaim" (Double Rebellion) and "Pekod" (Rulers). In this passage, Babylon is directly addressed as "O Pride," highlighting its arrogance and self-exaltation. This declaration of God's judgment is the culmination of Babylon's defiance, marking the inevitable arrival of its punishment.
Jeremiah has just described the mobilization of armies to attack Babylon, even personifying the land itself as "Merathaim" (Double Rebellion) and "Pekod" (Rulers). In this passage, Babylon is directly addressed as "O Pride," highlighting its arrogance and self-exaltation. This declaration of God's judgment is the culmination of Babylon's defiance, marking the inevitable arrival of its punishment.
"“Behold, I am against you, O proud one, declares the Lord GOD of hosts, for your day has come, the time when I will punish you." — God doesn't just call Babylon "proud"; He addresses it as "O Pride" itself, personifying its arrogance as its very identity. This isn't just a description; it's how the Lord labels this nation before…
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Last reviewed October 2026
