And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.

JEREMIAH 50:10KJV
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Jeremiah 50:10 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 50:10 mean?

Jeremiah 50:10 says that Chaldea (Babylon) will be conquered and plundered, and those who take its goods will be fully satisfied, as declared by the LORD. This verse is a prophecy of Babylon’s downfall, promising that its enemies will benefit from its defeat.

In context, Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Israel and Judah about the coming judgment on Babylon, which had been a powerful oppressor. The verse uses strong language to show that Babylon, once the conqueror, will itself be conquered and stripped of its wealth. The promise that those who "spoil her shall be satisfied" emphasizes the completeness of Babylon’s loss and the certainty of God’s judgment.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 50:10

  • חַשְּׂדִים (Kasdim, "Chaldea"): This word refers specifically to the region and people of Babylon, highlighting that the prophecy targets the heart of the Babylonian empire.
  • שָׁלָל (shalal, "spoil"): This word means "plunder" or "loot," pointing to the total stripping away of Babylon’s possessions by its conquerors.
  • שָׁלַל (shalal, "spoil" as a verb): The verb form here stresses the action of taking away goods by force, underlining the violence and thoroughness of Babylon’s defeat.
  • שָׂבַע (sava, "satisfied"): This word means to be filled or have enough, showing that the conquerors will not leave empty-handed but will be fully rewarded for their efforts.
  • נְאֻם (ne’um, "saith"): This is a prophetic formula meaning "declares," marking the statement as a direct message from God.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, "LORD"): This is the personal name of God, underscoring that this promise comes with divine authority.

Why Jeremiah 50:10 matters

  • Jeremiah 50:10 clarifies that Babylon’s fall is not just a political event but a fulfillment of God’s judgment, showing that no nation is beyond God’s reach.
  • The verse highlights a reversal of fortunes: the nation that once plundered others will itself be plundered, which ties into the broader biblical theme of justice.
  • By stating that the conquerors will be "satisfied," the verse emphasizes the completeness of Babylon’s defeat and the certainty of God’s word coming to pass.

Where else these words appear

“spoil” Hebrew H7997 · used in 12 verses

  • Ruth 2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
  • Isaiah 59:15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
  • Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

“spoil” Hebrew H7998 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
  • 1 Samuel 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
  • Proverbs 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

“Chaldea” Hebrew H3778 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 11:28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
  • Jeremiah 32:4 And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
  • Jeremiah 43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.

“satisfied” Hebrew H7646 · used in 92 verses

  • Exodus 16:8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.
  • Psalms 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.