The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.
JEREMIAH 51:30KJVWhat does Jeremiah 51:30 mean?
Jeremiah 51:30 describes how the strong warriors of Babylon lost their courage and stopped fighting, choosing instead to stay in their fortresses. Their strength failed, they became fearful like women, their homes were burned, and the city’s defenses were destroyed.
This verse is part of a prophecy spoken by Jeremiah against Babylon, warning of its coming downfall. Jeremiah is describing the moment when Babylon’s famous might collapses, showing that even the most powerful city can fall when its defenders lose heart and its defenses are breached.
The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:30
- The word for "mighty men" is גִּבּוֹרִים (gibbōrîm, H1368), which refers to strong or valiant warriors. The verse emphasizes that even Babylon’s best fighters are powerless in this crisis.
- "Forborn" comes from חָדַל (ḥādal, H2308), meaning to cease or stop. The idea is that the warriors have completely given up fighting.
- "Their might" uses גְּבוּרָה (gevurāh, H1369), which means strength or power. The verse highlights that Babylon’s strength is gone.
- "They became as women" uses נָשִׁים (nashim, H802), which in this context is a way of saying the warriors became fearful or lost their courage, as ancient cultures often contrasted men’s and women’s roles in battle.
Why Jeremiah 51:30 matters
- Jeremiah 51:30 clears up any idea that Babylon was invincible; it shows that even the strongest can fall when their courage fails.
- The verse highlights the completeness of Babylon’s defeat, not just in battle but in spirit and security, as even their homes and defenses are destroyed.
- This verse connects to the wider prophecy in Jeremiah 51, where God is judging Babylon for its pride and cruelty, showing that no power stands forever against justice.