◄ Jeremiah 51:24 ►
Before your very eyes I will repay Babylon and all the dwellers of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion," declares the LORD.
Study Bible
Before your very eyes
This phrase emphasizes the immediacy and visibility of God's judgment. It suggests that the people will witness the fulfillment of God's promises, reinforcing His sovereignty and faithfulness. This mirrors other instances in Scripture where God acts in a visible manner, such as the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12) and the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

I will repay Babylon
Babylon, a dominant empire known for its wealth and power, is often depicted as an instrument of God's judgment against Israel. However, God promises to repay Babylon for its own sins. This reflects the biblical principle of divine justice, where nations and individuals are held accountable for their actions (Galatians 6:7). Historically, Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC, fulfilling this prophecy.

and all the dwellers of Chaldea
Chaldea refers to the southern region of Babylon, known for its astrologers and wise men (Daniel 2:2). The inclusion of all its inhabitants underscores the comprehensive nature of God's judgment. This aligns with the biblical theme that entire communities can face consequences for collective sin, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).

for all the evil they have done in Zion
Zion, representing Jerusalem and the people of Israel, is central to God's covenantal promises. The evil done by Babylon includes the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the Jewish people (2 Kings 25). This phrase highlights the moral and spiritual dimensions of Babylon's actions, which are seen as offenses against God Himself.

declares the LORD
This declaration affirms the authority and certainty of the message. The use of "declares the LORD" is a common prophetic formula, emphasizing that the words are not merely human predictions but divine pronouncements. It assures the audience of the reliability of God's word, as seen throughout the prophetic books (Isaiah 55:11).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Babylon
An ancient city and empire known for its wealth, power, and idolatry. It was a significant oppressor of Israel and a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God.

2. Chaldea
A region in southern Babylon, often synonymous with Babylon itself. The Chaldeans were known for their wisdom and astrology but also for their role in the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem.

3. Zion
A term often used to refer to Jerusalem, the city of God, and by extension, the people of Israel. It represents God's chosen place and people.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness, justice, and sovereignty over all nations.

5. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to Judah and the surrounding nations, including Babylon.
Teaching Points
God's Justice is Certain
The verse assures us that God will repay evil. We can trust in His perfect justice, even when it seems delayed.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
No nation, regardless of its power, is beyond God's control. He raises and brings down kingdoms according to His purposes.

The Consequences of Sin
Babylon's fate serves as a warning that sin and rebellion against God lead to destruction.

Hope for the Oppressed
For those who suffer under injustice, this verse offers hope that God sees and will act on their behalf.

Call to Repentance
Recognizing God's justice should lead us to examine our own lives and turn from sin.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the historical context of Babylon's fall enhance our understanding of God's justice in Jeremiah 51:24?

2. In what ways does the prophecy against Babylon in Jeremiah 51:24 relate to the ultimate defeat of evil described in Revelation 18?

3. How can we find comfort in God's promise to repay evil, especially when facing personal injustices?

4. What lessons can we learn from Babylon's pride and downfall that apply to our personal lives and our society today?

5. How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations influence our perspective on current global events?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 13
This chapter also prophesies the fall of Babylon, emphasizing God's sovereignty and justice in dealing with nations.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon is echoed in the New Testament, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of worldly systems opposed to God.

Psalm 137
Reflects the lament of the Israelites in exile, longing for justice against Babylon.

Habakkuk 2
Speaks of God's judgment on nations that act with pride and injustice, including Babylon.
Sermons
The Duty of Separating from the WorldA.F. Muir Jeremiah 51:6, 50
People
Ashchenaz, Ashkenaz, Babylonians, Jacob, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Seraiah, Zedekiah
Places
Ararat, Babylon, Chaldea, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Leb-kamai, Zion
Topics
Affirmation, Babylon, Babylonia, Chaldaea, Chaldea, Chalde'a, Declares, Evil, Inhabitants, Recompensed, Render, Repay, Requite, Reward, Says, Sight, Wrong, Zion
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 51:24

     5493   retribution

Library
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14). …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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