Jeremiah 50:40
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While the verse compares Babylon's destruction to Sodom's, it's not just about annihilation. The emphasis on "no son of man shall sojourn there" highlights the utter desolation, suggesting a complete eradication of human habitation, leaving it only for wild creatures, a stark contrast to its former bustling glory.
As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities, declares the LORD, so no man shall dwell there, and no son of man shall sojourn in her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger prophecy detailing the coming destruction of Babylon, not just its political fall, but its utter desolation. Jeremiah is drawing a stark parallel between Babylon's impending ruin and the complete annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing that the city will become uninhabitable for humans, a place where only wild animals will dwell. This destruction is presented as God's ultimate retribution for Babylon's oppressive actions and idolatry, mirroring the consequences for other wicked cities.
Why does Jeremiah bring up Sodom and Gomorrah when talking about Babylon? It's not just a random comparison; it's a powerful declaration about the nature of God's judgment.
Jeremiah isn't just looking for a dramatic comparison; he's highlighting the severity and completeness of God's judgment on Babylon. The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, cities utterly destroyed for their wickedness, signifies that Babylon's fate will be equally absolute and final.
Total Ruin Described
The prophecy declares, 'so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.' This imagery paints a picture of complete desolation. It's not just about military defeat or political overthrow, but about the erasure of the city as a place of human habitation. The land itself will become inhospitable, a place where no one can dwell.
Historical Fulfillment
While Babylon's destruction wasn't instantaneous, history shows its progressive ruin. From its conquest by Cyrus, through rebellions and subsequent destructions by rulers like Darius Hystaspes and Seleucus Nicanor, the great city was reduced to ruins. By the time of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, very little remained. This echoes the complete obliteration of Sodom and Gomorrah, underscoring God's faithfulness to judge wickedness thoroughly.
Ever notice how some phrases seem to appear multiple times in the Bible? Jeremiah 50:40 isn't an original thought; it's a deliberate echo from another part of his own prophecy.
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This verse is a direct repetition of Jeremiah 49:18, which was a prophecy against Edom. The prophet uses the same language to describe the fate of both nations, highlighting a shared theme of divine retribution.
Purpose of Repetition
Why repeat the prophecy? It underscores the interconnectedness of God's judgment. While the prophecies target different nations (Edom and Babylon), they reveal a consistent pattern of how God deals with prideful and wicked peoples. It reinforces the idea that God's justice operates on principles that apply across different historical contexts. The reuse of the imagery of Sodom and Gomorrah emphasizes the severity and completeness of the judgment that awaits those who defy God.
A Mosaic of Judgment
Scholars point out that much of Jeremiah 50 and 51 is a compilation of earlier prophecies, with "Babylon" often substituted for other nations like Edom or Zion. This literary technique emphasizes the 'you reap what you sow' principle. Babylon, which had oppressed God's people, would now face a judgment mirroring the destruction that befell others who opposed God's will or His people.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God, indicating His self-existence, eternal nature, and His faithfulness to His people as the Redeemer and Judge of history.
Sedom ve'Amorah · Hebrew Proper Noun
The cities destroyed by God due to their extreme wickedness and moral corruption; they stand as the biblical archetype of total and irreversible divine judgment.
gur · Hebrew Verb
To reside temporarily in a place not one's own. It emphasizes the transient nature of human occupation, especially under the decree of God.
Jeremiah's prophecy compares the total destruction of Babylon to the biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting its absolute ruin and uninhabitable state. This imagery emphasizes God's judgment against the oppressor nation.
c. 18th century BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by divine judgment due to their wickedness. This event became a lasting symbol of total ruin and divine retribution.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Neo-Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem. While Jerusalem was not destroyed, this event demonstrates the potential for overwhelming military defeat and divine judgment.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon began deporting Jewish elites and skilled workers to Babylon, including figures like Daniel. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, destroyed Solomon's Temple, and deported the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This was a catastrophic national disaster for Judah.
539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This event fulfilled prophecies of Babylon's political downfall.
c. 500-450 BC
Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls
After the return from exile, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, symbolizing a renewed but vulnerable community.
c. 1st century AD
Decline and Ruin of Babylon
Centuries after its fall, Babylon continued to decline. By the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian, it was largely in ruins, with only remnants of its walls standing.
This is the foundational account of God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, directly referenced in Jeremiah's prophecy, illustrating the severity of divine retribution and utter destruction.
Isaiah 13:19-20This passage from Isaiah prophesies the destruction of Babylon in similar terms, foretelling that it would become uninhabitable and a haunt for wild animals, paralleling the fate described for Sodom and Gomorrah.
Jeremiah 49:18This verse is verbally identical to Jeremiah 50:40, originally describing the judgment on Edom. Its repetition here emphasizes that the same radical, desolating judgment awaits Babylon.
Revelation 18:2This New Testament passage echoes the theme of Babylon's complete destruction, describing it as 'a dwelling place for demons, and a haunt for every unclean spirit,' reinforcing the idea of utter desolation and abandonment.
pooleJeremiah 50:40: "As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein."
The substance of both these verses is, that Babylon should be totally ruined, as Sodom and Gomorrah, so as there should be no habitations for men, but wild beasts only of all sorts should inhabit and lodge in it. The fulfilling of this we have not in holy writ, only the beginning of its accomplishment, it being taken by…
clarkeJeremiah 50:40: "As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein."
As God overthrew Sodom - As the very ground on which these cities stood, with all the plain, now lies under the Dead Sea; so Babylon and the adjacent country shall be rendered totally barren and unfruitful, and utterly incapable of being inhabited. And this is the fact concerning both countries. See Jeremiah 49:18 .
While the verse compares Babylon's destruction to Sodom's, it's not just about annihilation. The emphasis on "no son of man shall sojourn there" highlights the utter desolation, suggesting a complete eradication of human habitation, leaving it only for wild creatures, a stark contrast to its former bustling glory.
This verse is part of a larger prophecy detailing the coming destruction of Babylon, not just its political fall, but its utter desolation. Jeremiah is drawing a stark parallel between Babylon's impending ruin and the complete annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing that the city will become uninhabitable for humans, a place where only wild animals will dwell. This destruction is presented as God's ultimate retribution for Babylon's oppressive actions and idolatry, mirroring the consequences for other wicked cities.
This verse is part of a larger prophecy detailing the coming destruction of Babylon, not just its political fall, but its utter desolation. Jeremiah is drawing a stark parallel between Babylon's impending ruin and the complete annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing that the city will become uninhabitable for humans, a place where only wild animals will dwell. This destruction is presented as God's ultimate retribution for Babylon's oppressive actions and idolatry, mirroring the consequences for other wicked cities.
"As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities, declares the LORD, so no man shall dwell there, and no son of man shall sojourn in her." — While the verse compares Babylon's destruction to Sodom's, it's not just about annihilation. The emphasis on "no son of man shall sojourn there" highlights the utter desolation, suggesting a complete…
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Last reviewed October 2026
