And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.

JEREMIAH 51:2KJV
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Jeremiah 51:2 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:2 mean?

Jeremiah 51:2 says that God will send people against Babylon who will scatter and devastate the land, leaving it empty and exposed to trouble from all sides. The verse uses the image of "fanners" to describe those who will come and thoroughly disrupt Babylon, especially in a time of crisis.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God's message about the coming judgment on Babylon, the powerful empire that had conquered Jerusalem. The "fanners" are likely invaders or agents of destruction, pictured as people who separate wheat from chaff, meaning they will thoroughly sift and scatter Babylon's people and resources. This warning comes as part of a larger prophecy about Babylon's downfall because of its actions against Israel.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:2

  • "fanners" (זֵרִים, zērîm): This word refers to people who winnow grain by tossing it in the air so the wind blows away the chaff. Here, it paints a vivid picture of Babylon being thoroughly scattered and separated, not just attacked.
  • "fan" (זָרָה, zārah): This verb means to scatter or winnow. The idea is not just defeat, but a complete dispersal and loss of stability for Babylon.
  • "empty" (רֵק, rēq): This word means to make empty or bare. The prophecy is not only about defeat but about Babylon being left desolate, with nothing remaining.
  • "about" (סָבִיב, sāvîv): This means "all around" or "on every side," emphasizing that Babylon will have enemies coming from every direction, with no safe escape.

Why Jeremiah 51:2 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:2 clarifies that Babylon's downfall will be total and thorough, not just a temporary setback or a single defeat.
  • The use of agricultural imagery ("fanners" and "fan") helps the reader understand that the destruction will be a process of separation and scattering, not just violence.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Jeremiah 50–51, where God promises to judge Babylon for its pride and cruelty, showing that even the greatest empires are not beyond accountability.

Where else these words appear

“empty” Hebrew H1238 · used in 7 verses

  • Isaiah 19:3 And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
  • Isaiah 24:3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.
  • Hosea 10:1 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

“fan” Hebrew H2219 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
  • Proverbs 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
  • Ezekiel 6:5 And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.

“fanners” Hebrew H2114 · used in 76 verses

  • Exodus 29:33 And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.
  • Psalms 54:3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
  • Isaiah 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.