Jeremiah 50:36
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The Hebrew word translated "liars" here also carries a sense of "boasters" or even "praters." It's not just about deceit, but about the empty, boastful pronouncements of the diviners and soothsayers who promised Babylon's permanence, a folly God is about to expose with a swift and devastating sword.
A sword against the diviners, that they may become fools! A sword against her warriors, that they may be destroyed!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is detailing the complete destruction of Babylon, a city that oppressed God's people. The prophecy has already described how the city's gods will be shamed and its people led captive. This passage specifically targets Babylon's false spiritual leaders and its powerful military forces, showing that their supposed wisdom and strength will utterly fail them in the face of divine judgment.
Jeremiah announces a decisive judgment not just against armies, but against those who claim to know the future. What does this reveal about God's perspective on false wisdom?
This verse zeroes in on the 'diviners' and 'liars' – those who claimed to have secret knowledge or the ability to predict outcomes. The commentary highlights that the original Hebrew word can carry the sense of 'boastings' or 'foolishness.' These weren't just people who told lies, but people whose wisdom was inherently foolish and deceptive, promising a stability to Babylon that God was about to shatter.
God declares a 'sword' against them. This isn't a literal sword, but a metaphor for complete destruction and judgment. Their supposed wisdom would fail them utterly, leading them to 'dote' – to act foolishly, to be infatuated, and to be utterly confused. They couldn't foresee the downfall they themselves were proclaiming would never come.
Even the strongest military might of Babylon is not exempt from God's decree. What does this tell us about where true security lies?
The verse doesn't stop with the false prophets; it moves to Babylon's 'mighty men' – their powerful warriors and military leaders. These were the pillars of their empire, the ones who enforced their rule and felt invincible.
Again, God sends a 'sword.' This signifies their complete defeat and destruction. The result for them isn't just death, but dismay. Their courage would vanish, and they would be struck with terror. Despite their strength and reputation, they would be utterly unable to stand against the invading forces that God had unleashed.
Understand the original words
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chereb · Hebrew Noun
An instrument of war used in conflict, often symbolizing judgment, divine wrath, or the execution of justice against nations or individuals. It represents the destructive power of God's word or His appointed agents of punishment.
baddim · Hebrew Noun
Those who claim to discern the future or divine will through occult practices, omens, or false gods. In Scripture, they are condemned as deceptive and contrary to the true knowledge of God.
evile · Hebrew Verb/Adjective
In a biblical sense, being a 'fool' denotes a moral and spiritual deficiency rather than a lack of intelligence; it refers to one who rejects God’s authority and wisdom, leading to ruin.
chathath · Hebrew Verb
A state of being broken down, ruined, or brought to an end. It signifies the complete removal of strength, status, or existence under divine judgment.
Jeremiah 50 prophesies the downfall of Babylon, the oppressor of Judah. The verse specifically targets Babylon's 'diviners' or 'liars'—those who practiced soothsaying and divination—and its mighty warriors, highlighting the judgment that would fall upon them when Babylon itself was conquered.
c. 626 BC
Nabopolassar founds Neo-Babylonian Empire
Nabopolassar, a Babylonian general, revolts against Assyrian rule and establishes the Neo-Babylonian Empire, initiating a period of renewed Babylonian power and influence.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, decisively defeat the Assyrian and Egyptian forces at Carchemish. This victory solidifies Babylonian dominance in the region.
597 BC
First Deportation of Judahites to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II besieges Jerusalem and deports King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of the Jerusalemite elite and skilled workers to Babylon. This is the first major blow to Judah.
587/586 BC— this verse
Fall and Destruction of Jerusalem
After a prolonged siege, Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This marks the end of the Kingdom of Judah.
c. 550 BC
Cyrus the Great rises to power
Cyrus begins his conquest, eventually uniting the Medes and Persians and laying the groundwork for the Achaemenid Empire.
539 BC
Cyrus conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great captures Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire and ushering in the Persian era. This event is crucial for the future of the exiled Judahites.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's judgment on false prophets, describing God as the one who thwarts the signs of sorcerers and makes diviners look like fools.
Jeremiah 47:6-7Here, the prophet speaks of a 'sword' coming against the Philistines, urging them to return and listen, which parallels the idea of a divinely appointed destruction upon those who rely on false wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:20The Apostle Paul speaks of God making the wisdom of the world foolish, a concept that aligns with the judgment upon Babylon's diviners who, despite their claims of wisdom, are rendered powerless and foolish by God's might.
Daniel 5:10-12This narrative shows the wise men of Babylon utterly failing to interpret a divine message, leading to their downfall, demonstrating how those who claim special knowledge can be exposed as foolish when facing God's judgment.
pooleJeremiah 50:36: "A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed."
A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: the word here translated liars is by some translated bars , by some liars ; and in the Hebrew it hath both significations; which makes some think it is to be understood of the chief men, who are the props, stays, and bars of a place, whose wisdom God threatens should fail them, so as they should dote, and show themselves fo…
barnesJeremiah 50:36: "A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed."
Liars - Soothsayers, fortune-tellers.
The Hebrew word translated "liars" here also carries a sense of "boasters" or even "praters." It's not just about deceit, but about the empty, boastful pronouncements of the diviners and soothsayers who promised Babylon's permanence, a folly God is about to expose with a swift and devastating sword.
Jeremiah is detailing the complete destruction of Babylon, a city that oppressed God's people. The prophecy has already described how the city's gods will be shamed and its people led captive. This passage specifically targets Babylon's false spiritual leaders and its powerful military forces, showing that their supposed wisdom and strength will utterly fail them in the face of divine judgment.
Jeremiah is detailing the complete destruction of Babylon, a city that oppressed God's people. The prophecy has already described how the city's gods will be shamed and its people led captive. This passage specifically targets Babylon's false spiritual leaders and its powerful military forces, showing that their supposed wisdom and strength will utterly fail them in the face of divine judgment.
"A sword against the diviners, that they may become fools! A sword against her warriors, that they may be destroyed!" — The Hebrew word translated "liars" here also carries a sense of "boasters" or even "praters." It's not just about deceit, but about the empty, boastful pronouncements of the diviners and soothsayers…
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Last reviewed October 2026
