Jeremiah 50:14 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 50:14 mean?

Jeremiah 50:14 is a call for Babylon’s enemies to surround the city and attack it without holding back, because Babylon has sinned against the LORD. The verse urges the attackers to use all their weapons and show no mercy, making clear that Babylon’s actions against God have brought this judgment.

In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the nations who will come against Babylon. The historical setting is the coming fall of Babylon, a powerful empire that had conquered Jerusalem. The verse emphasizes that Babylon’s downfall is not just a matter of politics or war, but a direct result of its guilt before God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 50:14

• "array" (עָרַךְ, `arak): This word means to arrange or set in order for battle. It highlights the organized, deliberate nature of the attack being commanded.
• "spare" (חָסָה, chasah): This word means to have compassion or to hold back. The command to "spare no arrows" stresses that the attackers are to show no restraint or mercy.
• "sinned" (חָטָא, chata’): This word means to miss the mark or to do wrong. The verse makes clear that Babylon’s destruction is because of its moral and spiritual failure against the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH).

Why Jeremiah 50:14 matters

• Jeremiah 50:14 clarifies that Babylon’s fall is not just a random event, but a response to its sin against God, giving a moral reason for the coming judgment.
• The verse connects to the larger section where Jeremiah prophesies against Babylon, showing that even the greatest empires are accountable to God.
• The strong military language underlines the seriousness and totality of the judgment, helping readers see the intensity of what is being foretold.