“Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life! Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance, the repayment he is rendering her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a call to escape; it's a desperate plea for self-preservation, urging people to "deliver every man his soul." This implies that staying in Babylon isn't just about being present during judgment, but risking complete annihilation, being "cut off," because the city's punishment is intricately tied to her sin. God's vengeance is a direct, fitting response – a repayment for all she has done.
“Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life! Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance, the repayment he is rendering her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Jeremiah is delivering a stark warning directly to those living in or associated with Babylon, urging them to escape the city immediately. This isn't just any warning; it's a desperate plea to flee before God's judgment falls, emphasizing that the city's destruction is imminent and seen as a direct act of divine retribution for its sins. The verse calls for a swift departure, separating oneself from Babylon's fate so as not to be swept away in the punishment that is coming.
Imagine a city teetering on the brink of disaster. What does God's Word say to those caught in the crossfire?
Jeremiah 51:6 opens with a powerful, urgent command: "Flee out of the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life!" This isn't just a suggestion; it's a life-or-death directive.
Why the Rush?
The reason is stark: "be not cut off in her punishment." God's judgment is coming, and it will be absolute. For anyone remaining within Babylon's walls, the consequence is complete destruction, being 'cut off.' This warning echoes throughout Scripture, calling God's people to separate themselves from sin and its ultimate consequences.
Who Needs to Hear This?
Commentators suggest this call was for the Jewish captives in Babylon, but also for any foreigners living there. The core message is universal: if you are associated with a system destined for God's judgment, you must separate yourself to be spared.
What happens when God decides it's 'payback' time? This verse reveals the divine certainty of justice.
The latter part of Jeremiah 51:6 makes it clear why fleeing is essential: "for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance, the repayment he is rendering her."
A Divine Appointment
God's judgment isn't random; it's set for a specific 'time.' This signifies that divine justice is not only real but also intentional and scheduled. Babylon, for all its might, could not escape this appointed hour of reckoning.
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Settling the Score
The phrase 'the repayment he is rendering her' speaks of a precise and complete accounting. God doesn't just punish; He "renders" a just recompense. This means Babylon would receive exactly what its actions deserved, a fitting response to its cruelty and defiance. This isn't about God's anger spinning out of control, but about His perfect justice being served.
Understand the original words
Babel · Hebrew Noun
A place of exile and symbol of human rebellion against God; in Scripture, it represents the world system opposed to the kingdom of God.
naqam · Hebrew Noun
The active, righteous retribution of God against those who oppose Him and His people, often associated with the execution of justice and the vindication of His holiness.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, covenantal name for the Almighty God of Israel, indicating His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people.
This prophecy was delivered during the height of Babylon's imperial power, even as its fall was being orchestrated by God. It's a stark reminder that judgment is certain, and even for God's people, separation from corrupt systems is essential for survival and deliverance.
626 BC
Nabopolassar Establishes Neo-Babylonian Empire
Following the collapse of Assyrian power, Nabopolassar, father of Nebuchadnezzar II, founded the Neo-Babylonian Empire, ushering in an era of Babylonian dominance.
605 BC
First Deportation of Jews to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II defeats the Egyptians and Assyrians at Carchemish, then lays siege to Jerusalem, deporting a portion of the Jewish nobility and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar II completely destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
c. 540 BC— this verse
Prophecies Against Babylon Intensify
Jeremiah, likely near the end of his prophetic ministry, delivers powerful oracles foretelling the imminent judgment and destruction of Babylon, urging the exiles to flee.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia, aided by a revolt from within, conquers Babylon. This conquest signifies the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and a turning point for the Jewish exiles.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Allowing Return of Exiles
Following his conquest, Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish people to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple, marking the end of the Babylonian Captivity.
This passage contains a very similar command to flee from Babylon, reinforcing the urgency and the reason for escape, which is divine judgment.
Isaiah 48:20This verse directly echoes the command to 'go forth from Babylon' and 'declare with a shout of joy,' highlighting the liberation and restoration that follows God's judgment on oppressors.
Revelation 18:4This New Testament passage directly alludes to Jeremiah's warning, applying the call to 'come out of her' to God's people living within spiritual or symbolic Babylon, showing the enduring relevance of this command.
Luke 21:20-24Jesus speaks of Jerusalem's impending destruction and urges those in Judea to flee, paralleling the theme of urgent escape from a doomed city facing God's judgment and vengeance.
pooleJeremiah 51:6: "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence."
It is a matter of no great moment whether we understand these words as spoken to the Jews in the captivity of Babylon, as Jeremiah 1:8 , or to those whom the Chaldeans had hired to help them, or to such strangers as for their secular advantages lived in Babylon. By soul here seemeth to be meant life…
ellicottJeremiah 51:6: "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence."
(6) Flee out of the midst of Babylon. —The words reproduce the call of Jeremiah 50:8 with a fresh motive. The city was doomed. It was ill done for those who had not been guilty of her sins to involve themselves in her destruction. The call is reproduced, as referring to the mystical Babylon, in Reve…
This isn't just a call to escape; it's a desperate plea for self-preservation, urging people to "deliver every man his soul." This implies that staying in Babylon isn't just about being present during judgment, but risking complete annihilation, being "cut off," because the city's punishment is intricately tied to her sin. God's vengeance is a direct, fitting response – a repayment for all she has done.
The prophet Jeremiah is delivering a stark warning directly to those living in or associated with Babylon, urging them to escape the city immediately. This isn't just any warning; it's a desperate plea to flee before God's judgment falls, emphasizing that the city's destruction is imminent and seen as a direct act of divine retribution for its sins. The verse calls for a swift departure, separating oneself from Babylon's fate so as not to be swept away in the punishment that is coming.
The prophet Jeremiah is delivering a stark warning directly to those living in or associated with Babylon, urging them to escape the city immediately. This isn't just any warning; it's a desperate plea to flee before God's judgment falls, emphasizing that the city's destruction is imminent and seen as a direct act of divine retribution for its sins. The verse calls for a swift departure, separating oneself from Babylon's fate so as not to be swept away in the punishment that is coming.
"“Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life! Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance, the repayment he is rendering her." — This isn't just a call to escape; it's a desperate plea for self-preservation, urging people to "deliver every man his soul." This implies that staying in Babylon isn't just about being present durin…
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Last reviewed October 2026