Jeremiah 50:37
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What's easily missed here is that the "mingled people" aren't just random residents, but specifically refer to Babylon's foreign mercenary troops. The prophecy declares that not only their military might (horses, chariots) will be destroyed, but their hired defenders will be utterly demoralized, becoming as helpless as women, and their wealth will be plundered.
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)
This verse is a vivid declaration of judgment against Babylon, describing the utter destruction of its military might, including its horses, chariots, and foreign mercenary troops who are depicted as becoming faint-hearted and unable to fight. Following a broader prophecy of Babylon's fall, this passage details the stripping away of its power and defenses. It concludes by declaring that even Babylon's vast treasures will not be spared, but will be plundered, leaving the once mighty empire defenseless and utterly ruined.
The mighty Babylon relied on more than just its own people. Who were these 'mingled people,' and why were they a target?
Jeremiah vividly describes Babylon's downfall, pointing a sword at its military might and its diverse population.
The 'Mingled People'
The phrase 'mingled people' refers to the foreign troops and mercenaries that Babylon hired to bolster its army. These were not native Babylonians but soldiers from various nations, serving for pay. They represented Babylon's strength, but also its reliance on external power.
A Sign of Vulnerability
Targeting these foreign troops highlights Babylon's vulnerability. Their strength wasn't just in their own soldiers, but in a diverse, often less loyal, hired force. The prophet declares that even this composite army, along with their horses and chariots, would be struck down by the sword.
What does it mean for a powerful warrior to 'become as women' in battle?
The prophecy delivers a stark image of defeat: the mighty warriors of Babylon would be rendered utterly helpless, stripped of their courage and fighting ability.
Loss of Manliness
The phrase 'they shall become as women' signifies a complete loss of strength, courage, and martial prowess. It's not about literal gender change, but a profound stripping of their warrior identity. In ancient Near Eastern thought, manliness was directly associated with strength and bravery in battle. To become like women meant to be weak, fearful, and incapable of defending themselves or their city.
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Divine Disarming
This wasn't just a military defeat; it was a divine disarming. God declares that He would strike down their military strength, their chariots, their horses, and even the foreign mercenaries, leaving them demoralized and unable to fight back.
Babylon was known for its immense wealth. Could its riches offer any protection against God's judgment?
The prophecy doesn't just target Babylon's military might; it extends to its vast material wealth, declaring that even its treasures would be plundered.
The 'Golden City' Falls
Babylon was a city that exulted in its riches, often called the "Golden City." Its treasures represented its power, its influence, and its pride. The prophet states that a sword would fall upon these treasures as well, meaning they would be utterly looted and stripped away by the conquering enemy.
No Security in Riches
This declares a crucial truth: material wealth offers no ultimate security against divine judgment. Despite all its gold, silver, and precious goods, Babylon would be defenseless and its riches would become spoils for its enemies. This underscores that true security is found not in material possessions, but in obedience to God.
Understand the original words
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.
Jeremiah's prophecy of Babylon's downfall, including the plundering of its military might and treasures, finds its historical anchor in its conquest by Cyrus the Great, fulfilling God's judgment against the empire that had devastated Judah.
c. 539 BC— this verse
Babylon Falls to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event fulfills numerous prophecies regarding Babylon's judgment.
c. 550-530 BC
Cyrus the Great's Reign
Cyrus expands the Persian Empire, creating a vast dominion that would eventually engulf Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Jews. This signifies Babylon's immense power at its height.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II deports Jewish elites, including Daniel, to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
This passage describes the destruction of Tyre, another great commercial city, emphasizing the removal of its 'strong pillars' and the plundering of its treasures, mirroring the fate of Babylon's military might and wealth.
Isaiah 14:4This prophetic oracle against the king of Babylon, though earlier, speaks of 'taking up this proverb against the king of Babylon' and describes him as a 'taskmaster,' setting the stage for the utter humiliation and overthrow of the empire's power and riches.
Revelation 18:11-14The Book of Revelation vividly portrays the fall of a symbolic Babylon, detailing the loss of its horses, chariots, and merchandise, highlighting the complete devastation of its economic and military strength.
Nahum 3:13This verse describes the weakness and helplessness of Nineveh, another powerful city, stating its warriors would become like women, which directly parallels the imagery used in Jeremiah 50:37 to describe the enemy's loss of courage and effectiveness.
calvinJeremiah 50:37: "A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed."
A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.
Gladins super equos ejus, et super currus ejus, et super mul…
barnesJeremiah 50:37: "A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed."
The mingled people - i. e., the foreigners serving as mercenaries in her army.
What's easily missed here is that the "mingled people" aren't just random residents, but specifically refer to Babylon's foreign mercenary troops. The prophecy declares that not only their military might (horses, chariots) will be destroyed, but their hired defenders will be utterly demoralized, becoming as helpless as women, and their wealth will be plundered.
This verse is a vivid declaration of judgment against Babylon, describing the utter destruction of its military might, including its horses, chariots, and foreign mercenary troops who are depicted as becoming faint-hearted and unable to fight. Following a broader prophecy of Babylon's fall, this passage details the stripping away of its power and defenses. It concludes by declaring that even Babylon's vast treasures will not be spared, but will be plundered, leaving the once mighty empire defenseless and utterly ruined.
This verse is a vivid declaration of judgment against Babylon, describing the utter destruction of its military might, including its horses, chariots, and foreign mercenary troops who are depicted as becoming faint-hearted and unable to fight. Following a broader prophecy of Babylon's fall, this passage details the stripping away of its power and defenses. It concludes by declaring that even Babylon's vast treasures will not be spared, but will be plundered, leaving the once mighty empire defenseless and utterly ruined.
"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!" — What's easily missed here is that the "mingled people" aren't just random residents, but specifically refer to Babylon's foreign mercenary troops. The prophecy declares that not only their military m…
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Last reviewed October 2026
