Jeremiah 50:36-37
A sword against the diviners, that they may become fools! A sword against her warriors, that they may be destroyed! A sword against her horses and against her chariots, and against all the foreign troops in her midst, that they may become women! A sword against all her treasures, that they may be plundered!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The original Hebrew word translated as "liars" here actually carries a double meaning, encompassing both "boasters" and "diviners." This isn't just about simple dishonesty; it points to those who boastfully proclaim false prophecies, their foolishness exposed when their predictions crumble in the face of God's judgment.
Jeremiah has been prophesying the destruction of Babylon for its pride and oppression of God's people. In this section, God declares that a powerful sword will fall upon the city, targeting its false prophets and diviners who had boasted of Babylon's unshakeable strength. This divine judgment will expose their foolishness and bring terror and ruin upon Babylon's mighty warriors.
When nations are brought to ruin, who bears the blame? Often, it’s those who claim to speak for the divine.
Jeremiah declares a "sword against the diviners" and "liars." The original Hebrew word carries a double meaning: it points to those who boast falsely and those who practice divination, like soothsayers and magicians. These were the very people who promised Babylon an eternal empire, propping up the nation with lies.
God's Judgment on Deception
God’s judgment here is specific: these diviners will "dote" – they will be struck with foolishness and confusion. Their supposed wisdom and foresight will vanish, leaving them exposed as frauds. Their pronouncements, meant to secure Babylon's future, will become hollow and meaningless in the face of divine wrath.
What happens to the strong, the warriors, the mighty men when God unleashes His judgment?
The second part of the verse turns to Babylon's "warriors" and "mighty men." These were the pillars of the empire, its military might, expected to defend and conquer. Yet, Jeremiah declares a "sword against" them too, and they will be "dismayed."
The Limits of Human Power
This isn't just about military defeat; it's about the utter failure of human strength and confidence when confronted by God's sovereign power. Their courage will evaporate, their hearts will fail. Their might, which they trusted in, offers no protection against the divine sword. It highlights that true security and power are found not in human armies or leaders, but in God alone.
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's prophecy here vividly describes the utter helplessness of Babylon's vaunted strength – its military might and its spiritual counselors – when faced with God's judgment, a judgment fulfilled by the swift conquest of Cyrus the Great.
c. 626 BC
Nabonidus's Reign Begins
Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, ascended the throne. His reign would later be marked by religious reforms and a prolonged absence from the capital, contributing to internal instability.
556-539 BC
Neo-Babylonian Empire at its Height
Under Nabonidus, Babylon was a vast empire, controlling significant territories. Its power was perceived as immense, supported by a sophisticated administration and perceived divine favor, which fueled the pride of its rulers and the confidence of its diviners.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, began his conquests, gradually consolidating power and setting the stage for his eventual confrontation with Babylon.
540 BC
Persian Advances Towards Babylon
Cyrus's military campaigns brought the Persian forces closer to Babylonian borders, creating palpable tension and fear within the empire.
This passage also speaks of God making the 'wise men' of Babylon foolish, specifically mentioning those who practice divination, mirroring the 'liars' and diviners in Jeremiah 50:36.
Ezekiel 21:29-32This passage details God's judgment on diviners and false prophets within Jerusalem itself, showing that reliance on such practices will lead to downfall and dismay, just as it will for Babylon.
Romans 1:21-25This New Testament passage describes people becoming futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts being darkened, leading them to worship created things rather than the Creator, a concept that echoes the 'doting' or foolishness of the diviners.
Jeremiah 51:30This verse, from the latter part of Jeremiah's prophecy against Babylon, directly states that its 'mighty men' have ceased fighting and have become like women, directly aligning with the 'mighty men' being dismayed and destroyed.
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 original Hebrew word translated as "liars" here actually carries a double meaning, encompassing both "boasters" and "diviners." This isn't just about simple dishonesty; it points to those who boastfully proclaim false prophecies, their foolishness exposed when their predictions crumble in the face of God's judgment.
Jeremiah has been prophesying the destruction of Babylon for its pride and oppression of God's people. In this section, God declares that a powerful sword will fall upon the city, targeting its false prophets and diviners who had boasted of Babylon's unshakeable strength. This divine judgment will expose their foolishness and bring terror and ruin upon Babylon's mighty warriors.
Jeremiah has been prophesying the destruction of Babylon for its pride and oppression of God's people. In this section, God declares that a powerful sword will fall upon the city, targeting its false prophets and diviners who had boasted of Babylon's unshakeable strength. This divine judgment will expose their foolishness and bring terror and ruin upon Babylon's mighty warriors.
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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.
sus/rekeb · Hebrew Noun
In the context of biblical warfare, these represent military power, human reliance on strength, and the instruments of oppression used by godless empires.
bazaz · Hebrew Verb
To be stripped of one's possessions or wealth by an enemy, often occurring as a consequence of divine judgment for arrogance or sin.
October 12, 539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great captured Babylon. The city's defenses were breached, leading to the collapse of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event directly fulfilled prophecies like Jeremiah's, as the military and the spiritual advisors of Babylon were overthrown.
539 BC
Cyrus's Decree
Following the conquest, Cyrus issued a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
"A sword against the diviners, that they may become fools! A sword against her warriors, that they may be destroyed! A sword against her horses and against her chariots, and against all the foreign troops in her…" — The original Hebrew word translated as "liars" here actually carries a double meaning, encompassing both "boasters" and "diviners." This isn't just about simple dishonesty; it points to those who boa…
