Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD.

JEREMIAH 50:30KJV
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Jeremiah 50:30 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 50:30 mean?

Jeremiah 50:30 predicts that the young men and soldiers of Babylon will be killed in the streets, and all her warriors will be destroyed on a particular day, as declared by the LORD. This verse is a warning of total defeat for Babylon’s military strength.

Jeremiah, speaking God’s message to Babylon, describes a coming time of judgment when Babylon’s defenders will not be able to stand against the attack. The verse is part of a larger prophecy where God announces Babylon’s downfall because of its pride and violence against other nations, especially Israel.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 50:30

  • "Young men" (בָּחוּרִים, bachurim; H970) refers specifically to young, able-bodied men, often seen as the prime of strength in a community. Their fall highlights the total collapse of Babylon’s defenses.
  • "Fall" (נָפַל, naphal; H5307) means to be struck down or killed, not just to stumble. This word emphasizes the violence and finality of the defeat.
  • "Men of war" (אַנְשֵׁי מִלְחָמָה, anshei milchamah; H582 + H4421) points to experienced soldiers, not just any men. The verse singles out both the young and the seasoned fighters to show that no one will escape.
  • "Cut off" (נָדַד, nadad; H1826) often means to be destroyed or removed completely, underlining that Babylon’s military power will be wiped out, not just weakened.

Why Jeremiah 50:30 matters

  • Jeremiah 50:30 clears up any idea that Babylon’s strength or youth would help it survive God’s judgment; both the inexperienced and the seasoned will fall.
  • The verse stresses that this is not just a natural defeat but a specific act of God (“saith the LORD”), showing that Babylon’s fall is part of a divine plan.
  • This verse connects to the larger prophecy against Babylon in Jeremiah 50–51, where God promises to bring justice for Babylon’s actions against Israel and other nations.

Where else these words appear

“off” Hebrew H1826 · used in 29 verses

  • Exodus 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
  • Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
  • Jeremiah 25:37 And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

“streets” Hebrew H7339 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Esther 6:9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
  • Jeremiah 5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

“men” Hebrew H970 · used in 44 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
  • Isaiah 31:8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
  • Lamentations 1:15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.