Jeremiah 51:29
New International Version
The land trembles and writhes, for the LORD’s purposes against Babylon stand— to lay waste the land of Babylon so that no one will live there.

New Living Translation
The earth trembles and writhes in pain, for everything the LORD has planned against Babylon stands unchanged. Babylon will be left desolate without a single inhabitant.

English Standard Version
The land trembles and writhes in pain, for the LORD’s purposes against Babylon stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

Berean Standard Bible
The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

King James Bible
And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

New King James Version
And the land will tremble and sorrow; For every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant.

New American Standard Bible
So the land quakes and writhes, For the plans of the LORD against Babylon stand, To make the land of Babylon A desolation without inhabitants.

NASB 1995
So the land quakes and writhes, For the purposes of the LORD against Babylon stand, To make the land of Babylon A desolation without inhabitants.

NASB 1977
So the land quakes and writhes, For the purposes of the LORD against Babylon stand, To make the land of Babylon A desolation without inhabitants.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the land quakes and writhes, For the purposes of Yahweh against Babylon stand, To make the land of Babylon A desolation without inhabitants.

Amplified Bible
The land trembles and writhes [in pain and sorrow], For the purposes of the LORD against Babylon stand, To make the land of Babylon A desolation without inhabitants.

Christian Standard Bible
The earth quakes and trembles because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The earth quakes and trembles because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon an uninhabited desolation.

American Standard Version
And the land trembleth and is in pain; for the purposes of Jehovah against Babylon do stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

Contemporary English Version
The earth twists and turns in torment, because I have decided to make Babylonia a desert where no one can live, and I won't change my mind.

English Revised Version
And the land trembleth and is in pain: for the purposes of the LORD against Babylon do stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The earth trembles and writhes in pain. The LORD carries out his plans against Babylon to make Babylon a wasteland so that no one will live there.

Good News Translation
The earth trembles and shakes because the LORD is carrying out his plan to make Babylonia a desert, where no one lives.

International Standard Version
The land quakes and writhes because the LORD's purposes against Babylon stand firm, to make the land of Babylon a waste without inhabitants.

Majority Standard Bible
The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD?s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

NET Bible
The earth will tremble and writhe in agony. For the LORD will carry out his plan. He plans to make the land of Babylonia a wasteland where no one lives.

New Heart English Bible
The land trembles and is in pain; for the purposes of the LORD against Babylon do stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

World English Bible
The land trembles and is in pain; for the purposes of Yahweh against Babylon stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the land shakes, and it is pained, "" For the purposes of YHWH have stood against Babylon, "" To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant.

Young's Literal Translation
And shake doth the land, and it is pained, For stood against Babylon have the purposes of Jehovah, To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the earth shall shake and be wearied; for the purpose of Jehovah was set up against Babel, to set the land of Babel for a desolation from not being inhabited.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the land shall be in a commotion, and shall be troubled: for the design of the Lord against Babylon shall awake, to make the land of Babylon desert and uninhabitable.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the earth will be shaken and will be disturbed. For the plan of the Lord against Babylon will awaken, so that he may make the land of Babylon desolate and uninhabitable.

New American Bible
The earth quakes and writhes, the LORD’s plan against Babylon is carried out, Turning the land of Babylon into a wasteland without inhabitants.

New Revised Standard Version
The land trembles and writhes, for the LORD’s purposes against Babylon stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the earth shall tremble and be confounded; for the purpose of the LORD against Babylon shall stand, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Earth shall shake and she shall be shocked, because the counsel of LORD JEHOVAH has stood against Babel to lay waste the land of Babel without an inhabitant
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the land quaketh and is in pain; For the purposes of the LORD are performed against Babylon, To make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The earth has quaked and been troubled, because the purpose of the Lord has risen up against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, and uninhabitable.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Babylon's Punishment
28Prepare the nations for battle against her—the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the lands they rule. 29The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant. 30The warriors of Babylon have stopped fighting; they sit in their strongholds. Their strength is exhausted; they have become like women. Babylon’s homes have been set ablaze, the bars of her gates are broken.…

Cross References
Isaiah 13:19
And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.

Isaiah 47:11
But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly.

Revelation 18:10
In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

Isaiah 14:23
“I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Revelation 18:21
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.

Isaiah 13:1-22
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 14:8
Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

Isaiah 21:9
Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!”

Revelation 16:19
The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.

Isaiah 34:8-10
For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. / Edom’s streams will be turned to tar, and her soil to sulfur; her land will become a blazing pitch. / It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it.

Revelation 17:1-2
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”

Isaiah 24:1-3
Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants— / people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor. / The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word.

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.”

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’


Treasury of Scripture

And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

the land

Jeremiah 8:16
The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.

Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

Jeremiah 50:36,43
A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed…

every

Jeremiah 51:11,12,43,62-64
Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple…

Jeremiah 50:13,39,40,45
Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues…

Isaiah 13:19,20
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah…

Jump to Previous
Babylon Desolation Fixed Inhabitant Inhabitants LORD's Pain Pained Performed Purpose Purposes Quakes Quaketh Shake Shaking Sorrow Stand Stood Tremble Trembles Trembleth Unpeopled Waste Writhes
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Babylon Desolation Fixed Inhabitant Inhabitants LORD's Pain Pained Performed Purpose Purposes Quakes Quaketh Shake Shaking Sorrow Stand Stood Tremble Trembles Trembleth Unpeopled Waste Writhes
Jeremiah 51
1. The severe judgment of God against Babylon, in revenge of Israel
59. Jeremiah delivers the book of this prophecy to Seraiah, to be cast into Euphrates,
64. in token of the perpetual sinking of Babylon














The earth quakes
This phrase captures the intense reaction of creation itself to the divine judgment being pronounced. In Hebrew, the word for "earth" is "erets," which often signifies not just the physical ground but the entirety of the land and its inhabitants. The quaking of the earth is a common biblical motif indicating God's powerful intervention in human affairs (e.g., Exodus 19:18, Psalm 18:7). It symbolizes the upheaval and transformation that God's judgment brings, shaking the foundations of what is known and secure.

and writhes
The term "writhes" suggests a deep, visceral response, akin to the pain of childbirth. In Hebrew, the word "chul" can mean to twist or whirl, often used to describe labor pains. This imagery conveys the idea of creation itself being in agony due to the impending judgment. It reflects the profound impact of God's actions, not just on humanity but on the entire created order, emphasizing the seriousness and inevitability of divine justice.

for the LORD’s purposes
Here, the focus shifts to the divine will. The "LORD" is the covenant name of God, "Yahweh," underscoring His sovereignty and faithfulness. The "purposes" of the LORD refer to His divine plans and intentions, which are always just and righteous. This phrase reassures believers that despite the chaos and destruction, God's actions are purposeful and aligned with His ultimate plan for redemption and justice.

against Babylon stand
Babylon, in this context, represents not just a historical empire but a symbol of human pride and opposition to God. The phrase "against Babylon" indicates the target of God's judgment. Historically, Babylon was a powerful empire known for its wealth and idolatry, often seen as an archetype of worldly power in opposition to God's kingdom. The word "stand" suggests the firmness and certainty of God's resolve. His purposes are unshakeable and will be accomplished despite any human resistance.

to make the land of Babylon a desolation
This phrase speaks to the outcome of God's judgment. "Desolation" in Hebrew is "shammah," meaning a wasteland or ruin. The transformation of Babylon from a thriving empire to a desolate land serves as a powerful testament to the consequences of defying God. It is a sobering reminder of the fate that awaits those who persist in rebellion against divine authority. This desolation is not just physical but also spiritual, indicating the complete overthrow of Babylon's idolatrous systems.

without inhabitant
The final phrase underscores the totality of the judgment. "Without inhabitant" means complete depopulation, a stark image of utter devastation. This reflects the thoroughness of God's judgment, leaving no remnant of the former glory of Babylon. It serves as a warning to all nations and peoples about the seriousness of God's justice and the futility of opposing His will. The absence of inhabitants also symbolizes the removal of sin and rebellion, paving the way for the establishment of God's righteous kingdom.

(29) And the land shall tremble and sorrow.--The verbs in the Hebrew are in the past tense, the prophet seeing, as it were, the very event which he portrays passing before him in his vision.

Verse 29. - Shall tremble and sorrow. The Hebrew has "trembled and sorrowed" (or, "quaked and writhed for pain"); and in the sequel, have stood (i.e. been ratified by the event, as Jeremiah 44:28). The prophet here, as so often, regards what is still future as past from the point of view of eternity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The earth
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

quakes
וַתִּרְעַ֥שׁ (wat·tir·‘aš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7493: To undulate, through fear, to spring

and writhes
וַתָּחֹ֑ל (wat·tā·ḥōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2342: To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

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

intentions
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת (maḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

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

stand:
קָ֤מָה (qā·māh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

to make
לָשׂ֞וּם (lā·śūm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

the land
אֶ֧רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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

a desolation,
לְשַׁמָּ֖ה (lə·šam·māh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8047: Ruin, consternation

without an inhabitant.
יוֹשֵֽׁב׃ (yō·wō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 51:29 The land trembles and is in pain (Jer.)
Jeremiah 51:28
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