And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.

JEREMIAH 51:24KJV
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Jeremiah 51:24 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:24 mean?

Jeremiah 51:24 says that God will repay Babylon and all the people of Chaldea for all the evil things they did to Zion, and He will do it openly so that it is seen by others. The verse is a declaration from God that He will bring justice for the wrongs committed against His people.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to announce judgment on Babylon, the empire that destroyed Jerusalem (Zion) and mistreated its people. The statement is made directly to the people of Babylon and Chaldea, promising that the harm they caused will be returned to them in full view of others, highlighting God’s role as a just judge.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:24

  • "render" (שָׁלַם, shalam): This word means to repay, restore, or make whole. Here, it emphasizes that God’s response to Babylon will be a measured repayment for their actions, not random punishment.
  • "evil" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): This word refers to harm, wrongdoing, or wickedness. The verse makes clear that what Babylon did to Zion was not just military conquest but morally wrong in God’s eyes.
  • "Zion" (צִיּוֹן, tsiyyon): This is a specific name for Jerusalem, often used to represent the heart of God’s people. Mentioning Zion highlights that the offense was not just against a city, but against God’s chosen place and people.
  • "sight" (עַיִן, ‘ayin): This word means "eye" or "sight," and here it points out that God’s repayment will be visible, not hidden or secret.

Why Jeremiah 51:24 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:24 clarifies that God’s judgment on Babylon is not arbitrary but is a direct response to their specific actions against Zion, showing that God sees and remembers injustice.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s justice is public and transparent; the repayment will happen "in your sight," meaning it will be obvious and undeniable.
  • This verse connects to the larger message of Jeremiah 51, where God promises to bring down Babylon after its time of power, reassuring those who suffered that their pain has not been forgotten.

Where else these words appear

“Chaldea” Hebrew H3778 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 11:28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
  • Jeremiah 32:4 And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
  • Jeremiah 43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.

“render” Hebrew H7999 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 44:4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
  • 1 Kings 9:25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.
  • Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.