Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;

JEREMIAH 51:20KJV
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Jeremiah 51:20 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:20 mean?

Jeremiah 51:20 describes God addressing someone as His "battle axe and weapons of war," saying He will use this person or nation to break apart other nations and destroy kingdoms. The verse uses the image of a tool of war to show that God will use an agent to carry out judgment on others.

In this chapter, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah about Babylon’s coming downfall. The "battle axe" is likely a reference to the nation or people God will use to punish Babylon for its actions. The language is forceful and vivid, showing that God is in control and can use whomever He chooses to accomplish His purposes, even on a grand, international scale.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:20

  • "battle axe" (מַפֵּץ, mapetz): This Hebrew word refers to a tool or weapon used for smashing or breaking. The choice of this word highlights the destructive power God intends to unleash.
  • "weapons" (כְּלִי, keli): This word means an instrument, vessel, or tool, not just a weapon. It suggests that the agent is something God uses intentionally, not randomly.
  • "war" (מִלְחָמָה, milchamah): This word means battle or warfare, making it clear that the context is one of violent conflict and judgment.
  • "break in pieces" (נָפַץ, naphats): This verb means to shatter or smash, emphasizing the thoroughness of the destruction.
  • "destroy" (שָׁחַת, shachath): This word means to ruin, corrupt, or destroy, underlining the totality of what God is planning to do to the kingdoms involved.

Why Jeremiah 51:20 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:20 clarifies that God can use any person or nation as His tool, even those who might not realize they are being used for His purposes.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s absolute authority over nations and kingdoms, showing that world events are not random but can be directed by God’s will.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the surrounding chapters, where God describes how Babylon, once His instrument of judgment, will itself be judged and broken by another power.

Where else these words appear

“pieces” Hebrew H5310 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 9:19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
  • Psalms 137:9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
  • Jeremiah 22:28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?

“kingdoms” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 14:5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

“destroy” Hebrew H7843 · used in 136 verses

  • Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
  • 2 Samuel 1:14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?
  • Jeremiah 5:10 Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD'S.