Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;

JEREMIAH 50:11KJV
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Jeremiah 50:11 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 50:11 mean?

Jeremiah 50:11 describes how the enemies who destroyed God’s people celebrated and took pride in their victory, acting as if they had grown fat and strong from their conquest. The verse uses the image of well-fed cattle to show their boastful and careless attitude after harming God’s chosen nation.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s words against Babylon, the nation that conquered Judah. God accuses Babylon of being glad (rejoicing) over the suffering of His people and compares their self-satisfaction to animals that have grown fat from easy grazing. The verse highlights not just the act of destruction, but the arrogant joy Babylon took in it, which sets the stage for God’s coming judgment against them.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 50:11

  • "Glad" (שָׂמַח, samach): This word means to be joyful or to rejoice. Here, it points to Babylon’s inappropriate happiness over the downfall of Judah.
  • "Rejoiced" (עָלַז, alaz): This word often carries the sense of exulting or boasting. Babylon’s rejoicing is not innocent happiness but a prideful celebration at another’s expense.
  • "Fat" (דָּשֵׁן, dashen): This word means to be well-fed or to grow fat, and it paints a picture of self-indulgence and complacency, as if Babylon is thriving off the suffering of others.
  • "Heifer" (עֶגְלָה, eglah): A young cow, often used in imagery for something strong and healthy. Here, it emphasizes Babylon’s sense of security and abundance after their victory.

Why Jeremiah 50:11 matters

  • Jeremiah 50:11 clarifies that God’s problem with Babylon is not just their military conquest, but their arrogant delight in destroying His people.
  • The verse uses vivid animal imagery to highlight the careless pride of Babylon, which helps the reader see why God’s justice is coming for them.
  • This verse connects to the larger message in Jeremiah 50, where God promises to judge Babylon for their actions and attitudes, not just their power.

Where else these words appear

“fat” Hebrew H6335 · used in 4 verses

  • Nahum 3:18 Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.
  • Habakkuk 1:8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
  • Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

“bellow” Hebrew H6670 · used in 9 verses

  • Esther 8:15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
  • Isaiah 10:30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.
  • Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

“destroyers” Hebrew H8154 · used in 12 verses

  • Judges 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
  • 1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
  • Isaiah 17:14 And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

“heifer” Hebrew H5697 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Judges 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
  • Jeremiah 46:20 Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.