Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left.

JEREMIAH 50:26KJV
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Jeremiah 50:26 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 50:26 mean?

Jeremiah 50:26 describes an invading force being called to attack Babylon from every direction, break open its storehouses, pile up its goods like heaps of ruins, and completely destroy everything so that nothing remains. The verse paints a picture of total devastation and thorough judgment against Babylon.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to announce Babylon’s coming destruction. The language is forceful and vivid, emphasizing that the attack will be comprehensive—nothing will be spared. This warning is part of a larger prophecy where Jeremiah details the downfall of Babylon, a powerful empire that had previously conquered Jerusalem.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 50:26

  • "Utmost border" comes from קֵצֶה (qetseh), meaning "end" or "extremity." This word stresses that the attackers will come from the very edges or farthest reaches, suggesting a complete surrounding of Babylon.
  • "Storehouses" is מִמְּגוּרוֹתֶיהָ (mimmĕgurōteha), meaning places where goods are stored. The command to open these shows that even Babylon’s hidden resources will be exposed and plundered.
  • "Heaps" is עֲרֵמוֹת (ʿărēmōt), which refers to piles, often of grain. Here, it likely means the attackers will pile up the city’s goods or ruins, showing the thoroughness of the destruction.
  • "Utterly destroy" is חָרַם (ḥāram), which often means to devote something to destruction, leaving nothing behind. This word underlines the totality of the judgment.

Why Jeremiah 50:26 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Babylon’s fall would be partial or limited; the language makes it clear that the destruction is meant to be absolute.
  • The focus on storehouses and heaps highlights that even Babylon’s wealth and resources, which might have seemed secure, would be taken and ruined.
  • Jeremiah 50:26 connects to the wider passage by showing that Babylon, once a symbol of power and security, would face the same kind of judgment it had brought on others, fulfilling God’s promise of justice.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H5549 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 9:17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
  • Isaiah 57:14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

“heaps” Hebrew H6194 · used in 10 verses

  • Ruth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
  • Nehemiah 13:15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

“utterly” Hebrew H2763 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
  • Joshua 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
  • 1 Samuel 15:18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

“border” Hebrew H7093 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
  • Esther 2:12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women,(for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
  • Ezekiel 7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.