Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon, against the inhabitants of Leb-kamai,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "in the midst of them that rise up against me" isn't just descriptive; it's a coded message using a cipher called Atbash, revealing "Chaldeans" (Babylonians) as the heart of opposition to God. This hidden meaning, along with the image of a "destroying wind," signals that God is unleashing a force specifically aimed at the core of His enemies' power.
Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon, against the inhabitants of Leb-kamai,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse kicks off a long, detailed prophecy about the impending destruction of Babylon. It comes after a chapter that already declared Babylon's doom and God's judgment. Now, the focus intensifies, describing the very force God will use to bring it down—a relentless, "destroying wind" representing a powerful invading army, specifically targeting the heart of the Chaldean empire.
What does a 'destroying wind' have to do with God's judgment on a mighty empire? It's more than just a metaphor for destruction.
The verse speaks of God stirring up 'a destroying wind' against Babylon. This imagery is powerful! It's not just a natural disaster, but a divine force unleashed.
A Divine Instrument
This 'wind' represents a powerful, unstoppable force, often interpreted as an invading army. Like a harsh, relentless wind that sweeps across the land, this force will devastate Babylon. It's God who is orchestrating this, 'stirring up' the spirit behind it.
Beyond Human Power
Jeremiah uses this metaphor to show that Babylon's downfall isn't just political or military; it's divinely ordained. The destruction will be so complete and overwhelming that it appears like a force of nature, yet it's guided by God's hand against those who opposed Him.
Why use a coded name for Babylon? What does 'Leb-kamai' reveal about the depth of this empire's rebellion?
The phrase 'the inhabitants of Leb-kamai' is fascinating. While the literal translation might seem obscure, scholars point out that 'Leb-kamai' is a cipher, a coded way of saying 'the heart of the Chaldeans' or simply 'Chaldea'.
The Center of Rebellion
Using this coded language emphasizes that God is not just judging a city, but the very 'heart' of the opposition against Him. Babylon was the epicenter of idolatry, oppression, and defiance of God's people and His authority. This wasn't a minor rebellion; it was a deep-seated, centralized rebellion against the Most High.
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God's Knowledge and Judgment
Jeremiah's use of this cipher also highlights God's intimate knowledge of His enemies. He knows exactly who they are, where they are, and the depth of their opposition ('the heart of my adversaries'). God's judgment is precise and targeted, even when it comes like a widespread 'destroying wind'.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His self-existence and faithfulness to His people. It is the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush.
‘ur · Hebrew Verb
A term used in prophetic literature to denote a person, nation, or agent whom God supernaturally emboldens or incites to carry out His divine judgment against a specific target.
Leb-qamay · Hebrew Proper Noun
An atbash cipher (a secret code reversing the Hebrew alphabet) for 'Kasdim' or Chaldeans, used by Jeremiah to conceal the identity of the target or emphasize its corruption.
The prophecy in Jeremiah 51:1, written decades before Babylon's fall, uses coded language ('Leb-kamai' for Chaldeans) that would have been understood by exiles and those in Judea, underscoring God's judgment on the empire that oppressed His people.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Jehoiakim's court and prominent Judeans are taken to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, after a brief rebellion.
c. 590 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Babylon
Jeremiah, likely in Jerusalem, pronounces judgment against Babylon, referring to it by the code word 'Leb-kamai' (Chaldeans) and prophesying its destruction.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This event solidifies Babylon's power as a world empire.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, ending Neo-Babylonian rule and paving the way for the return of Jewish exiles.
This passage also announces a divine judgment against Babylon, describing it as a 'burden' or prophecy of doom, setting the stage for God's destructive power against the city.
Jeremiah 50:8This verse echoes the call for people to 'flee from the midst of Babylon,' reinforcing the idea of a destructive force descending upon the city and its inhabitants.
Ezekiel 26:3Here, God declares judgment against Tyre, using similar language of stirring up nations to bring destruction, showing a pattern of God using external forces to punish wicked cities.
Revelation 18:2This New Testament passage vividly describes Babylon's fall using similar imagery of a 'mighty angel' casting a great millstone, signifying its irreversible destruction and judgment.
pooleJeremiah 51:1: "Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;"
The severe judgment of God against voluptuous, covetous, tyrannical, and idolatrous Babel, in the revenge and for the redemption of Israel, Jeremiah 51:1-58 . Jeremiah delivereth the book of this prophecy to Seraiah, to be cast into Euphrates, in token of the perpetual shaking of Babylon, Jeremiah 51:59-64 . In this chapter t…
expositorsJeremiah 51:1: "Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;"
CHAPTER XXVBABYLON Jeremiah 50:1-46 , Jeremiah 51:1-64 "Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces."- Jeremiah 50:2 THESE chapters present phenomena analogous to those of Isaiah 40:1-31 ; Isaiah 41:1-29 ; Isaiah 42:1-25 ; Isaiah 43:1-28 ; Isaiah 44:1-28 ; Isaiah 45:1-25 ; Isaiah 46:1-13 ; Isaiah 47:1-15…
The phrase "in the midst of them that rise up against me" isn't just descriptive; it's a coded message using a cipher called Atbash, revealing "Chaldeans" (Babylonians) as the heart of opposition to God. This hidden meaning, along with the image of a "destroying wind," signals that God is unleashing a force specifically aimed at the core of His enemies' power.
This verse kicks off a long, detailed prophecy about the impending destruction of Babylon. It comes after a chapter that already declared Babylon's doom and God's judgment. Now, the focus intensifies, describing the very force God will use to bring it down—a relentless, "destroying wind" representing a powerful invading army, specifically targeting the heart of the Chaldean empire.
This verse kicks off a long, detailed prophecy about the impending destruction of Babylon. It comes after a chapter that already declared Babylon's doom and God's judgment. Now, the focus intensifies, describing the very force God will use to bring it down—a relentless, "destroying wind" representing a powerful invading army, specifically targeting the heart of the Chaldean empire.
"Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will stir up the spirit of a destroyer against Babylon, against the inhabitants of Leb-kamai," — The phrase "in the midst of them that rise up against me" isn't just descriptive; it's a coded message using a cipher called Atbash, revealing "Chaldeans" (Babylonians) as the heart of opposition to…
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Last reviewed October 2026