And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.

JEREMIAH 51:32KJV
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Jeremiah 51:32 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:32 mean?

Jeremiah 51:32 describes how Babylon’s defenses are being overwhelmed: the routes of escape are blocked, the marshes that might have offered protection are set on fire, and the soldiers are terrified. This verse paints a picture of total panic and defeat as the city falls to its enemies.

In context, Jeremiah is relaying a prophecy about the destruction of Babylon, speaking to the people of Judah and anyone listening to his warnings. The verse uses vivid language to show how the invaders are systematically cutting off every means of escape or defense, leaving the city’s warriors in fear. This is part of a larger passage where Jeremiah details the downfall of a once-mighty empire.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:32

  • "passages" (מַעֲבָרוֹת, maʿăbārōt): This word refers to crossing places or escape routes, likely the fords or paths through the river and marshes around Babylon. The detail shows the attackers are not just fighting but also blocking every way out.
  • "reeds" (קָנֶה, qāneh): These are the tall grasses growing in the marshes near Babylon. Burning them would remove cover and make escape even harder, showing the thoroughness of the attack.
  • "affrighted" (הָלַךְ, bahal): This word means to be terrified or filled with panic. The verse emphasizes that even the trained warriors are overcome with fear, highlighting the completeness of Babylon’s collapse.

Why Jeremiah 51:32 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:32 clears up that Babylon’s defeat is not just a military loss but a total breakdown of its defenses and morale, with every escape cut off and even the bravest soldiers panicking.
  • The verse emphasizes how thorough and unstoppable the attack is, showing that Babylon’s fall is part of a larger divine judgment, not just an ordinary battle.
  • This detail connects to the wider passage by showing how Jeremiah’s prophecies about Babylon’s destruction are coming true in specific, concrete ways, reinforcing the reliability of his message.

Where else these words appear

“reeds” Hebrew H98 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 7:19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
  • Psalms 107:35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
  • Isaiah 35:7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

“passages” Hebrew H4569 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 32:22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
  • Judges 12:5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;
  • 1 Samuel 14:4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

“affrighted” Hebrew H926 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 45:3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
  • Job 4:5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
  • Psalms 90:7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

“stopped” Hebrew H8610 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Jeremiah 49:16 Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.