Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:

JEREMIAH 51:55KJV
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Jeremiah 51:55 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:55 mean?

Jeremiah 51:55 says that the LORD has brought down Babylon, silencing its once-powerful voice and overwhelming it with chaos like roaring waves. The verse describes the end of Babylon’s pride and noise as God’s judgment sweeps over the city.

In this chapter, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message about the coming destruction of Babylon, a powerful empire known for its arrogance and might. The verse uses the image of roaring waters and a loud voice to show how Babylon’s influence and boasting will be completely drowned out by God’s action against it.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:55

  • "spoiled" (שָׁדָד, shadad): This word means to devastate or plunder. It emphasizes that Babylon is not just defeated but thoroughly ruined by God’s intervention.
  • "great voice" (קוֹל גָּדוֹל, qol gadol): This phrase points to Babylon’s reputation, authority, and the noise of its life and power, now silenced.
  • "waves" (גַּלִּים, gallim) and "roar" (הָמָה, hamah): These words create a picture of chaos and overwhelming force, showing that Babylon’s downfall will be noisy and unstoppable, like a stormy sea.

Why Jeremiah 51:55 matters

  • This verse clears up that Babylon’s defeat is not just military but also a silencing of its pride and influence; the “great voice” is a symbol of its power being taken away.
  • The imagery of roaring waters connects to other biblical descriptions of judgment, helping readers see Babylon’s fall as part of a larger pattern of God humbling the proud.
  • Jeremiah 51:55 fits into a long prophecy against Babylon, showing that even the mightiest empires are subject to God’s authority and justice.

Where else these words appear

“noise” Hebrew H7588 · used in 16 verses

  • Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
  • Isaiah 17:12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
  • Jeremiah 25:31 A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.

“waves” Hebrew H1530 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 31:46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
  • Job 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
  • Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

“roar” Hebrew H1993 · used in 32 verses

  • 1 Kings 1:41 And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?
  • Psalms 77:3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
  • Isaiah 51:15 But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.

“spoiled” Hebrew H7703 · used in 47 verses

  • Judges 5:27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
  • Jeremiah 4:20 Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
  • Jeremiah 48:32 O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea, they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.