Question 1

What does Jeremiah 51:55 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:55

Accepted Answer

"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.

Question 3

Why Jeremiah 51:55 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Jeremiah 51:55 (KJV)