With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;

JEREMIAH 51:22KJV
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Jeremiah 51:22 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:22 mean?

Jeremiah 51:22 describes God’s intent to use someone as an instrument to break apart every kind of person in Babylon—men and women, old and young, young men and young women—showing that no one will be spared from the coming judgment. The verse uses strong language to emphasize the total and sweeping nature of this destruction.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah about Babylon’s coming downfall. The context is a prophecy against Babylon, a powerful empire that had conquered many nations, including Judah. By listing every group—man (אִישׁ, ish), woman (אִשָּׁה, ishah), old (זָקֵן, zaqen), young (נַעַר, na‘ar), young man (בָּחוּר, bachur), and maid (בְּתוּלָה, betulah)—the verse highlights that the judgment will be thorough and leave no one untouched.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:22

  • "Break in pieces" (נָפַץ, naphats; H5310) means to shatter or smash violently. This word is repeated for emphasis, showing the completeness and force of the destruction.
  • "Man" (אִישׁ, ish; H376) and "woman" (אִשָּׁה, ishah; H802) are the standard Hebrew words for adult males and females, underscoring that both genders are included in the judgment.
  • "Old" (זָקֵן, zaqen; H2205) and "young" (נַעַר, na‘ar; H5288) show that age offers no protection; both the elderly and the youth will face the same fate.
  • "Young man" (בָּחוּר, bachur; H970) and "maid" (בְּתוּלָה, betulah; H1330) refer specifically to those in the prime of life, further stressing that no group is exempt.

Why Jeremiah 51:22 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that God’s judgment on Babylon would be limited or selective; it is described as total and unavoidable for all people.
  • The repeated use of "break in pieces" and the listing of every group stresses the seriousness and completeness of Babylon’s fall, which is a key theme in Jeremiah 50–51.
  • Understanding the original Hebrew words helps readers see that the prophecy is not just about military defeat, but about a complete upheaval of society—no one is left out.