Jeremiah 50:29
New International Version
“Summon archers against Babylon, all those who draw the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her for her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

New Living Translation
“Send out a call for archers to come to Babylon. Surround the city so none can escape. Do to her as she has done to others, for she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

English Standard Version
“Summon archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Encamp around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her according to all that she has done. For she has proudly defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

King James Bible
Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

New King James Version
“Call together the archers against Babylon. All you who bend the bow, encamp against it all around; Let none of them escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all she has done, do to her; For she has been proud against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
“Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.

NASB 1995
“Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.

NASB 1977
“Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against Yahweh, Against the Holy One of Israel.

Amplified Bible
“Call together many [archers] against Babylon, All those who bend the bow. Encamp against her on every side; Let no one from there escape. Repay her according to her actions; Just as she has done, do to her. For she has been proudly defiant and presumptuous against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Summon the archers to Babylon, all who string the bow; camp all around her; let none escape. Repay her according to her deeds; just as she has done, do the same to her, for she has acted arrogantly against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Summon the archers to Babylon, all who string the bow; camp all around her; let none escape. Repay her according to her deeds; just as she has done, do the same to her, for she has acted arrogantly against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

American Standard Version
Call together the archers against Babylon, all them that bend the bow; encamp against her round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her; for she hath been proud against Jehovah, against the Holy One of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Attack Babylon, enemy archers; set up camp around the city, and don't let anyone escape. It challenged me, the holy God, so do to it what it did to other cities.

English Revised Version
Call together the archers against Babylon, all them that bend the bow; camp against her round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Call together the archers, the soldiers with bows, against Babylon. Set up blockades around it. Don't let anyone escape. Pay the people of Babylon back for what they have done. Do to them what they did to others. They have disobeyed the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

Good News Translation
"Tell the archers to attack Babylon. Send out everyone who knows how to use the bow and arrow. Surround the city and don't let anyone escape. Pay it back for all it has done, and treat it as it has treated others, because it acted with pride against me, the Holy One of Israel.

International Standard Version
"Summon many to Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Camp all around her, let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds. Do to her just as she has done. For she has behaved arrogantly against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

NET Bible
"Call for archers to come against Babylon! Summon against her all who draw the bow! Set up camp all around the city! Do not allow anyone to escape! Pay her back for what she has done. Do to her what she has done to others. For she has proudly defied me, the Holy One of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
"Call together the archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow; camp against her all around; let none of it escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she has done, do to her; for she has been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, encamp against it on every side; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do to her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

World English Bible
“Call together the archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Encamp against her all around. Let none of it escape. Pay her back according to her work. According to all that she has done, do to her; for she has been proud against Yahweh, against the Holy One of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Summon archers to Babylon, all treading the bow, "" Encamp against her all around, "" Let [her] have no escape; Repay to her according to her work, "" According to all that she did—do to her, "" For she has been proud against YHWH, "" Against the Holy One of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
Summon unto Babylon archers, all treading the bow, Encamp against her round about, Let her have no escape; Recompense to her according to her work, According to all that she did -- do to her, For unto Jehovah she hath been proud, Unto the Holy One of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
Cause ye many to be heard against Babel: all ye bending the bow encamp against her round about; there shall be no escaping: requite her according to her work; according to all she did, do to her: for she acted proudly against Jehovah, against the Holy One of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Declare to many against Babylon, to all that bend the bow: stand together against her round about, and let nose escape; pay her according to her work: according to all that she hath done, do ye to her: for she hath lifted up herself against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Announce it to the many in Babylon, to all who bend the bow. Stand together against her all around, and let no one escape. Repay her according to her work. In accord with all that she has done, do to her. For she has raised herself up against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel.

New American Bible
Call archers out against Babylon, all who bend the bow; Encamp around them; let no one escape. Repay them for their deeds; what they have done, do to them, For they insulted the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
Summon archers against Babylon, all who bend the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; just as she has done, do to her—for she has arrogantly defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Call together great armies against Babylon: all who know how to bend the bow shoot against her round about; let none be spared; recompense her according to her works; according to all that she had done, do to her; for she has ventured against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And cause all multitudes who know to shoot with a bow to hear concerning Babel. Shoot at her from around her and you shall not leave her a remnant. Pay her according to all her payment. What she has done; do to her, because she was arrogant against LORD JEHOVAH, against The Holy One of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Call together the archers against Babylon, All them that bend the bow; Encamp against her round about, Let none thereof escape; Recompense her according to her work, According to all that she hath done, do unto her: For she hath been arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Summon many against Babylon, even every one that bends the bow: camp against her round about; let no one of her people escape: render to her according to her works; according to all that she has done, do to her: for she has resisted the Lord, the Holy God of Israel.
Audio Bible



Context
The Destruction of Babylon
28Listen to the fugitives and refugees from the land of Babylon, declaring in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance for His temple. 29Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. 30Therefore, her young men will fall in the streets, and all her warriors will be silenced in that day,” declares the LORD.…

Cross References
Revelation 18:6
Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.

Isaiah 47:3
Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.”

Isaiah 13:17-19
Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. / Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children. / And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Habakkuk 2:8
Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.

Revelation 17:16-17
And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. / For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Isaiah 48:14
Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The LORD’s chosen ally will carry out His desire against Babylon, and His arm will be against the Chaldeans.

Isaiah 13:1-5
This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received: / Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. / I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have even summoned My warriors to execute My wrath and exult in My triumph. ...

Revelation 18:8
Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

Isaiah 21:2
A dire vision is declared to me: “The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! I will put an end to all her groaning.”

Isaiah 45:1-3
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: / “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. / I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

Revelation 18:20
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced for you His judgment against her.

Isaiah 14:4-6
you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended! / The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers. / It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.

Revelation 18:24
And there was found in her the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who had been slain on the earth.

Isaiah 46:11
I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Revelation 19:2
For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.”


Treasury of Scripture

Call together the archers against Babylon: all you that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she has done, do to her: for she has been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.

the archers

Jeremiah 50:9,14,26
For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain…

recompense

Jeremiah 50:15
Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.

Jeremiah 51:56
Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.

Psalm 137:8,9
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us…

for she hath

Jeremiah 50:24,32
I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD…

Exodus 10:3
And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

Isaiah 14:13,14
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: …

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Jeremiah 50
1. The judgment of Babylon and the redemption of Israel














Summon the archers against Babylon
The phrase "Summon the archers" indicates a call to arms, a divine command for warriors to gather. In the Hebrew text, the word for "archers" is "חֵץ" (chets), which refers to those skilled in using the bow. Historically, archers were a crucial part of ancient warfare, often determining the outcome of battles. This call signifies God's orchestration of Babylon's downfall, using human instruments to fulfill His divine judgment. Babylon, once a symbol of pride and power, is now the target of divine retribution.

all who string the bow!
The phrase "all who string the bow" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the attack. It is not just a few, but all capable warriors are called to participate. The bow, a symbol of strength and precision, represents the thoroughness of God's judgment. In the ancient Near East, the bow was a primary weapon, and those who could string it were considered elite soldiers. This imagery underscores the seriousness and inevitability of Babylon's impending doom.

Encamp all around her
"Encamp all around her" suggests a siege, a military strategy to surround and isolate a city. The Hebrew root "חָנָה" (chanah) means to pitch a tent or encamp, indicating a prolonged presence. This encirclement signifies the inescapable nature of God's judgment. Historically, sieges were devastating, cutting off supplies and weakening the city's defenses. This imagery reflects the totality of Babylon's impending judgment, leaving no room for escape or reprieve.

let no one escape
The command "let no one escape" highlights the completeness of the judgment. In the Hebrew, "פָּלַט" (palat) means to escape or deliver oneself. This phrase underscores the certainty of Babylon's fate; there will be no deliverance or mercy for those who have defied God. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride and rebellion against the Almighty.

Repay her according to her deeds
"Repay her according to her deeds" introduces the principle of divine justice. The Hebrew word "שָׁלַם" (shalam) means to complete or make whole, often used in the context of recompense. This reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where actions have corresponding consequences. Babylon's deeds, characterized by arrogance and oppression, warrant this divine repayment. It is a reminder that God's justice is perfect and righteous.

do to her as she has done
The phrase "do to her as she has done" reinforces the concept of retributive justice. The Hebrew "עָשָׂה" (asah) means to do or make, indicating a direct correlation between Babylon's actions and her punishment. This mirrors the lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, found throughout Scripture. It serves as a warning that God's justice is not arbitrary but is a direct response to human actions.

For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel
The concluding phrase "For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel" identifies the root cause of Babylon's judgment. The Hebrew "חָרָה" (charah) means to be defiant or rebellious. Babylon's defiance is not just against any deity but against "the LORD, the Holy One of Israel," emphasizing the gravity of her sin. The title "Holy One of Israel" underscores God's unique relationship with His people and His sovereign authority. Babylon's defiance is ultimately against God's holiness and His covenant with Israel, warranting the severe judgment pronounced in this verse. This serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of opposing God's will and the ultimate triumph of His righteousness.

(29) Recompense her according to her work . . .--As before, in Jeremiah 50:15, the prophet sees in the fall of Babylon the working of the Divine law of retribution. In "the Holy One of Israel" we note the occurrence, for the first time in Jeremiah, of the characteristic name which is so prominent in Isaiah, and is seldom found elsewhere. It occurs again in Jeremiah 51:5.

Verses 29-40. - The completeness of Babylon's destruction. Verse 29. - Call together the archers, etc. A dramatic way of indicating that the siege is about to begin.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Summon
הַשְׁמִ֣יעוּ (haš·mî·‘ū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the archers
רַ֠בִּים (rab·bîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7228: An archer

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Babylon,
בָּבֶ֣ל ׀ (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who string
דֹּ֨רְכֵי (dō·rə·ḵê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1869: To tread, to walk, to string a, bow

the bow.
קֶ֜שֶׁת (qe·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

Encamp
חֲנ֧וּ (ḥă·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

all around her;
סָבִ֗יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

let no one
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

escape.
פְּלֵטָ֔ה (pə·lê·ṭāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6413: Deliverance, an escaped portion

Repay
שַׁלְּמוּ־ (šal·lə·mū-)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

her
לָ֣הּ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

according to her deeds;
כְּפָעֳלָ֔הּ (kə·p̄ā·‘o·lāh)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6467: Doing, deed, work

do
עֲשׂוּ־ (‘ă·śū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to her
לָ֑הּ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

as
כְּכֹ֛ל (kə·ḵōl)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

she has done.
עָשְׂתָ֖ה (‘ā·śə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

For
כִּ֧י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she has defied
זָ֖דָה (zā·ḏāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2102: To boil up, seethe, act proudly or presumptuously or rebelliously

the LORD,
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the Holy
קְד֥וֹשׁ (qə·ḏō·wōš)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6918: Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

One of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 50:29 Call together the archers against Babylon all (Jer.)
Jeremiah 50:28
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