Jeremiah 50:36
A sword against the diviners, that they may become fools! A sword against her warriors, that they may be destroyed!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Hebrew word translated "liars" here doesn't just mean people who tell falsehoods; it carries a sense of "boasters" or those who foolishly brag. This highlights how God’s judgment targets not only the deceptive practices of diviners but also their arrogant confidence, reducing them to fools who can't even foresee their own downfall.
Jeremiah is prophesying the downfall of Babylon, the oppressor of God's people. This judgment is described as a devastating "sword" that will fall upon the city's false prophets and diviners, rendering their deceptive practices foolish and useless. Immediately following this, the prophecy turns to Babylon's military might, declaring that even their strongest warriors will be struck with dismay and ultimately destroyed.
In ancient Babylon, there were those who claimed to know the future and secure the empire's safety. But God had a different plan.
Jeremiah calls out the 'diviners' and 'liars' in Babylon. These weren't just people telling untruths; they were the soothsayers, astrologers, and false prophets who boasted of Babylon's eternal power and claimed divine favor.
God declares a 'sword' against them. This isn't just a physical weapon, but a judgment that will expose their foolishness. They won't foresee their doom or offer any real protection.
Babylon was known for its strength, its formidable army. But even the strongest can be brought to ruin.
The second part of the verse targets Babylon's 'warriors.' These were the military might, the men of power and supposed security for the empire.
God pronounces a 'sword' against them too, but the outcome is described differently: 'that they may be destroyed!' and 'they shall be dismayed.'
Understand the original words
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
Jeremiah 50:36 speaks directly to the impending fall of Babylon, the oppressor of God's people. The 'liars' were the diviners and sorcerers who falsely reassured Babylon of its permanence, while the 'mighty men' represented its military strength. Both would be utterly devastated by the conquering Medes and Persians, fulfilling God's judgment.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire Dominates
Assyria, a powerful empire, held sway over much of the Near East, including the fractured kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This period set the stage for future conflicts and exiles.
626 BC
Neo-Babylonian Empire Rises
Nabopolassar rebels against Assyria, establishing the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This marks a significant shift in regional power, setting the stage for Babylon's ascendance.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Judah and begins deporting its elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This event marks the start of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Judah's population and leadership, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
This passage describes God making wise counselors and soothsayers foolish, directly paralleling the judgment on Babylon's 'diviners' who are made to 'dote' in Jeremiah 50:36.
Jeremiah 47:1-7Jeremiah proclaims judgment on the Philistines by the sword, showing a consistent theme of divine judgment falling on nations and their protectors when they oppress God's people.
Ezekiel 28:7This prophecy against the king of Tyre describes a devastating 'sword' being brought against the mighty and wise, echoing the judgment on Babylon's warriors and diviners.
Revelation 18:10-17The fall of 'Babylon the great' in Revelation includes judgments upon its mighty men and the futility of its wealth and power, mirroring the fate of the warriors in Jeremiah 50:36.
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 doesn't just mean people who tell falsehoods; it carries a sense of "boasters" or those who foolishly brag. This highlights how God’s judgment targets not only the deceptive practices of diviners but also their arrogant confidence, reducing them to fools who can't even foresee their own downfall.
Jeremiah is prophesying the downfall of Babylon, the oppressor of God's people. This judgment is described as a devastating "sword" that will fall upon the city's false prophets and diviners, rendering their deceptive practices foolish and useless. Immediately following this, the prophecy turns to Babylon's military might, declaring that even their strongest warriors will be struck with dismay and ultimately destroyed.
Jeremiah is prophesying the downfall of Babylon, the oppressor of God's people. This judgment is described as a devastating "sword" that will fall upon the city's false prophets and diviners, rendering their deceptive practices foolish and useless. Immediately following this, the prophecy turns to Babylon's military might, declaring that even their strongest warriors will be struck with dismay and ultimately destroyed.
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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.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the kingdom of Judah and deporting most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event is the backdrop for much of Jeremiah's prophecy.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus of Persia defeats Babylon, marking the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and opening the door for the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland.
"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 doesn't just mean people who tell falsehoods; it carries a sense of "boasters" or those who foolishly brag. This highlights how God’s judgment targets not only…
