As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

JEREMIAH 50:40KJV
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Jeremiah 50:40 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 50:40 mean?

Jeremiah 50:40 says that just as God completely destroyed Sodom, Gomorrah, and their nearby cities, leaving them empty of people, so too will no one live in the place being judged here. The verse is declaring that the coming judgment will be so total that not a single person will remain.

In this verse, God (speaking through the prophet Jeremiah) is warning about the fate of Babylon. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah—cities famously wiped out for their wickedness—shows how severe Babylon’s destruction will be. The message is meant for the people of Judah and surrounding nations, making clear that Babylon’s fall will be absolute, with no survivors left to rebuild or repopulate it.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 50:40

  • "Overthrew" (הָפַךְ, haphakh): This word means to turn over, overturn, or destroy completely. The use of this word emphasizes the total and irreversible nature of the destruction, just as happened to Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • "Abide" (יָשַׁב, yashav): This verb means to sit, dwell, or remain. Its use here stresses that no one will settle or even temporarily stay in the land after the judgment.
  • "Man" (אִישׁ, ish) and "son of man" (בֶּן אָדָם, ben adam): The verse uses both terms to underline that absolutely no human being—no individual or descendant—will be able to live there.

Why Jeremiah 50:40 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the destruction of Babylon is not just military defeat but a complete and lasting desolation, echoing the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • By using both "man" and "son of man," Jeremiah 50:40 emphasizes that this judgment leaves no exceptions—no one will escape or return.
  • The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah connects Babylon’s fate to earlier biblical examples of divine judgment, warning listeners that God’s justice is thorough and not limited to Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“overthrew” Hebrew H4114 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
  • Isaiah 1:7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
  • Jeremiah 49:18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.

“Gomorrah” Hebrew H6017 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
  • Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

“neighbour” Hebrew H7934 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 44:13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
  • Isaiah 33:24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

“Sodom” Hebrew H5467 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
  • Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.