I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.

JEREMIAH 51:40KJV
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Jeremiah 51:40 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:40 mean?

Jeremiah 51:40 describes how God will bring down the people of Babylon to destruction, comparing them to lambs, rams, and goats being led to slaughter. The verse uses the image of animals being taken to their deaths to show the complete and unavoidable downfall awaiting Babylon.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to announce judgment on Babylon, a powerful nation that had conquered many others. The language paints a vivid picture of Babylon’s leaders and people being powerless before God’s decision, just as animals cannot resist being led to slaughter. The comparison to different kinds of animals—lambs, rams, and goats—emphasizes that all classes and strengths in Babylon will face the same fate.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:40

  • "Down" (יָרַד, yarad): This word means to bring down or cause to descend. Here, it highlights that Babylon’s fall is not accidental but something God actively brings about.
  • "Lambs" (כֶּבֶשׂ, keves): Lambs are often seen as innocent and defenseless, stressing how helpless Babylon will be in the face of judgment.
  • "Slaughter" (טֶבַח, tebach): This word refers to a place or act of killing, usually of animals. The use of this word shows the certainty and finality of Babylon’s destruction.
  • "Rams" (אַיִל, ayil) and "Goats" (עַתּוּד, attud): Rams are stronger male sheep, and goats are often seen as stubborn or leading animals. Including these animals suggests that even the strong and prominent in Babylon will not escape.

Why Jeremiah 51:40 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:40 clears up any idea that only the weak or lowly in Babylon would suffer; the verse shows that all, from the innocent to the powerful, are included in God’s judgment.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah 51, where God promises to bring down Babylon for its pride and violence against other nations, making clear that no one is exempt from accountability.
  • The vivid animal imagery helps the reader feel the helplessness and certainty of Babylon’s coming fall, making the prophecy more memorable and striking.

Where else these words appear

“slaughter” Hebrew H2873 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 43:16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
  • 1 Samuel 25:11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
  • Jeremiah 11:19 But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

“lambs” Hebrew H3733 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
  • Psalms 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
  • Ezekiel 4:2 And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about.

“goats” Hebrew H6260 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 31:10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.
  • Numbers 7:59 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • Psalms 66:15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.