Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

JEREMIAH 51:11KJV
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Jeremiah 51:11 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:11 mean?

Jeremiah 51:11 is a call to prepare for battle against Babylon, declaring that the LORD has stirred up the kings of the Medes to destroy Babylon as an act of vengeance for what was done to His temple. The verse shows that Babylon’s downfall is not random but is directed by God as a response to past wrongs.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, announcing God’s plan to use the Medes as instruments of judgment against Babylon. The historical setting is after Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, and now God is promising to repay Babylon for its actions. The verse uses vivid military language—preparing arrows and shields—to show that this coming attack is deliberate and divinely guided.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:11

  • "bright" (בָּרוּ / barar): This word means "to polish" or "to make clear," and here it refers to making arrows ready for use. The sense is not just to prepare weapons, but to make them sharp and effective for battle.
  • "spirit" (רוּחַ / ruach): This word often means "wind" or "breath," but here it refers to the inner drive or motivation. The LORD is said to have stirred up the "spirit" of the kings of the Medes, meaning He has moved them to act against Babylon.
  • "device" (מְזִמָּה / mezimmah): This word means a plan or scheme. The verse emphasizes that the destruction of Babylon is not accidental; it is part of God’s intentional plan.
  • "vengeance" (נְקָמָה / neqamah): This word means retribution or payback. The verse repeats it to stress that God’s action against Babylon is specifically to avenge the desecration of His temple.

Why Jeremiah 51:11 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:11 clarifies that the fall of Babylon is not just a political event but is portrayed as a direct act of God’s justice for the destruction of His temple.
  • The verse highlights that God can use other nations, even those outside Israel, as instruments to carry out His purposes.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah 50–51, where Babylon’s judgment is described in detail, showing God’s control over history and His commitment to justice.

Where else these words appear

“shields” Hebrew H7982 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
  • 1 Chronicles 18:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
  • Song of Solomon 4:4 Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.

“bright” Hebrew H1305 · used in 16 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
  • Job 33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
  • Jeremiah 4:11 At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

“Medes” Hebrew H4074 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
  • Esther 1:14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
  • Isaiah 21:2 A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

“device” Hebrew H4209 · used in 19 verses

  • Job 21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
  • Psalms 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
  • Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.