The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

JEREMIAH 51:14KJV
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Jeremiah 51:14 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:14 mean?

Jeremiah 51:14 declares that the LORD, described as the commander of heavenly armies, has made a solemn promise to fill Babylon with countless invaders, comparing their numbers to swarming caterpillars, and these invaders will raise a loud shout against the city. This verse is a warning of overwhelming judgment coming upon Babylon.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God's words to Babylon, the powerful empire that had conquered Jerusalem. The LORD swears by himself—showing the certainty and seriousness of his promise—that Babylon will be overrun by enemies as numerous and unstoppable as a plague of insects. The "shout" refers to the battle cry or noise of the attacking armies, signaling Babylon's coming defeat.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:14

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel's God, emphasizing that the message comes from the highest authority.
  • hosts (צְבָאוֹת, tsevaot): This word means "armies" or "forces," often used to describe God's command over both heavenly and earthly armies, underlining his power to carry out this judgment.
  • caterpillers (יֶלֶק, yeleq): This word refers to a kind of locust or caterpillar known for swarming in great numbers and devouring crops, painting a vivid picture of how completely Babylon will be overwhelmed.
  • shout (הֵידָד, heidad): This word means a loud noise or battle cry, highlighting the chaos and intensity of the coming attack.

Why Jeremiah 51:14 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:14 clarifies that Babylon's downfall is not random or accidental; it is a direct act of God, sworn by his own name, making the prophecy certain and unavoidable.
  • The use of the image of caterpillars helps readers understand the scale and relentlessness of the coming invasion—Babylon will be filled with enemies just as fields are filled with destructive insects.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah 50–51, where God announces judgment against Babylon for its pride and violence, showing that even the greatest empires are subject to God's authority.

Where else these words appear

“shout” Hebrew H1959 · used in 5 verses

  • Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
  • Isaiah 16:10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
  • Jeremiah 25:30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

“caterpillers” Hebrew H3218 · used in 7 verses

  • Psalms 105:34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
  • Joel 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
  • Nahum 3:15 There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts.