Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.

JEREMIAH 51:52KJV
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Jeremiah 51:52 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:52 mean?

Jeremiah 51:52 says that a time is coming, declared by the LORD, when He will punish Babylon for its idols, and the land will be filled with the cries of the wounded. The verse predicts a coming judgment on Babylon’s false gods and the suffering that will spread throughout the nation as a result.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people about Babylon, a powerful enemy nation. God announces that Babylon’s carved images (idols) will be judged, which means their supposed power will be shown as nothing. The mention of wounded people groaning across the land highlights the real pain and destruction that will come with this judgment, showing that the consequences will be widespread and severe.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:52

  • "Judgment" (פָּקַד, pāqad): This word often means to visit or attend to, usually with the sense of bringing consequences. Here, it emphasizes that God Himself will actively bring punishment on Babylon’s idols, not just allow events to happen.
  • "Images" (פֶּסֶל, pesel): This refers specifically to carved or graven idols. The focus is not just on general wrongdoing but on the worship of physical objects instead of God.
  • "Wounded" (חָלָל, chalal): This word points to those physically struck down, often in battle. It underlines the real, physical suffering that will follow Babylon’s downfall.
  • "Groan" (אָנַח, anach): This word means to sigh or moan in pain, highlighting the deep distress and suffering that will be heard throughout the land.

Why Jeremiah 51:52 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:52 clarifies that God’s judgment is directed at Babylon’s idolatry, not just its military or political actions, showing the spiritual reason behind the coming disaster.
  • The verse connects the destruction of idols with real human suffering, reminding readers that spiritual unfaithfulness leads to concrete, painful consequences for people.
  • In the wider context of Jeremiah 51, this verse is part of a long prophecy against Babylon, showing that even the mightiest nations are not beyond God’s reach or justice.

Where else these words appear

“groan” Hebrew H602 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezekiel 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
  • Ezekiel 24:17 Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.
  • Ezekiel 26:15 Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyrus; Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?

“images” Hebrew H6456 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
  • Isaiah 30:22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

“wounded” Hebrew H2491 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
  • Ezekiel 11:6 Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.