Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.

JEREMIAH 51:25KJV
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Jeremiah 51:25 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:25 mean?

Jeremiah 51:25 is God’s declaration against Babylon, describing the city as a “destroying mountain” that has harmed the whole earth. God says He will personally act against Babylon, bringing it down from its place of power and making it like a mountain burned and ruined.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to announce judgment on Babylon, a powerful empire known for conquering and oppressing many nations. The “destroying mountain” image highlights Babylon’s strength and its destructive impact, while God’s promise to “roll thee down from the rocks” and make it a “burnt mountain” shows that Babylon’s power will be completely broken and left desolate.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:25

  • “destroying” (מַשְׁחִית, mashchit): This word means something that causes ruin or destruction. Here, it emphasizes how Babylon has been a force of devastation among the nations.
  • “mountain” (הַר, har): In ancient times, mountains often symbolized strength, stability, or kingdoms. Calling Babylon a “mountain” points to its seeming unshakable power.
  • “burnt” (שְׂרֵפָה, serefah): This word means something that has been burned or consumed by fire. God’s promise to make Babylon a “burnt mountain” suggests total destruction, leaving nothing useful or impressive behind.

Why Jeremiah 51:25 matters

  • This verse clears up that Babylon’s power, though massive, is not beyond God’s reach; God directly confronts and overthrows even the mightiest empires.
  • The “burnt mountain” image connects to the wider passage, where God’s judgment is pictured as thorough and final, not just a temporary setback.
  • The verse helps readers see how God uses vivid, concrete imagery to communicate the seriousness of His judgment and the certainty that oppressive powers will not last forever.

Where else these words appear

“destroying” Hebrew H4889 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
  • 2 Chronicles 22:4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
  • Ezekiel 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

“burnt” Hebrew H8316 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
  • Numbers 19:6 And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.
  • 2 Chronicles 21:19 And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.

“down” Hebrew H1556 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 29:3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
  • Joshua 10:18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:
  • Psalms 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

“rocks” Hebrew H5553 · used in 54 verses

  • Numbers 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
  • 1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
  • Isaiah 22:16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?