Jeremiah 50:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 50:21 mean?

Jeremiah 50:21 is a command from God, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah, instructing an attack on the land called Merathaim and its people, specifically those in Pekod, with orders to completely destroy them as God has directed. This verse is part of a prophecy announcing judgment against Babylon and its territories.

In the setting of Jeremiah 50, God is speaking through Jeremiah to announce Babylon’s coming downfall. The verse uses strong language to emphasize total destruction, reflecting the seriousness of Babylon’s offenses. Merathaim and Pekod are likely symbolic or representative names for regions or groups within Babylon, and the command shows that God’s judgment is thorough and intentional.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 50:21

• מְרַתַּיִם (Merathaim): This name means "double rebellion" or "double bitterness." Its use here may be symbolic, highlighting the depth of Babylon’s guilt or stubbornness.
• פְּקוֹד (Pekod): This is a region or tribe associated with Babylon. The name means "punishment" or "visitation," which fits the theme of judgment in the passage.
• חָרַם (charam, “destroy”): This word means to devote something to destruction, often in the sense of complete removal or annihilation, showing the totality of the judgment.
• צָוָה (tsavah, “commanded”): This word emphasizes that the actions are not random violence but are carried out under God’s direct orders.

Why Jeremiah 50:21 matters

• Jeremiah 50:21 clears up that the destruction of Babylon is not accidental or merely political, but a fulfillment of God’s specific judgment against their actions.
• The verse’s use of symbolic names like Merathaim and Pekod highlights the seriousness of Babylon’s offenses and the certainty of their punishment.
• This verse connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah 50 of God’s sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring justice, even against the most powerful empires.