One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,

JEREMIAH 51:31KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 51:31 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:31 mean?

Jeremiah 51:31 describes a scene where messengers are urgently running to bring news to the king of Babylon that his city has been invaded and captured at one end. The verse paints a picture of chaos and alarm as the fall of Babylon is reported.

In this chapter, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking a message from God about the coming destruction of Babylon. The verse shows the panic and confusion as messengers rush to inform the Babylonian king of the disaster. This detail highlights how sudden and overwhelming the city's defeat will be.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:31

  • The word for "post" and "run" is רָץ (rāts), which means a runner or courier. This word emphasizes the speed and urgency with which the news is being delivered.
  • "Messenger" is נָגִיד (nāgîd), meaning someone who brings a report or message. The use of multiple messengers meeting each other suggests a flood of bad news arriving all at once.
  • "Taken" is לָכַד (lākhad), which means to capture or seize. This word makes clear that the city is not just under threat but has actually fallen.
  • "End" is קָצֶה (qātsê), meaning edge or extremity. This detail shows that the invasion has already breached the city's defenses at a specific point.

Why Jeremiah 51:31 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:31 clears up any idea that Babylon would fall slowly or with warning; instead, the verse shows the suddenness and confusion of its defeat.
  • The verse emphasizes the helplessness of the king of Babylon, who receives the devastating news too late to respond.
  • This detail connects to the larger prophecy in Jeremiah 51, where God declares judgment on Babylon for its pride and violence, showing that even the mightiest city can fall unexpectedly.

Where else these words appear

“end” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
  • Psalms 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

“post” Hebrew H7323 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • 2 Samuel 18:22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
  • Esther 8:14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

“taken” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
  • Psalms 59:12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

“meet” Hebrew H7125 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Judges 6:35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
  • 2 Samuel 19:25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?