Jeremiah 51:58 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:58 mean?

Jeremiah 51:58 declares that the LORD of hosts says Babylon’s wide walls will be completely destroyed, her tall gates burned with fire, and all the people’s hard work will end up wasted and exhausting. The verse warns that Babylon’s great strength and the efforts of its people cannot prevent its downfall.

This message is spoken by Jeremiah as a prophecy from God (the LORD of hosts) to warn about Babylon’s coming destruction. Babylon was famous for its massive walls and strong gates, but God says these defenses will fail. The people’s labor—building, defending, and maintaining the city—will be for nothing, as Babylon’s judgment is certain and unstoppable.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:58

• "broad" (רָחַב, rachav): This word describes the impressive width of Babylon’s walls, emphasizing their reputation for strength and security. The verse highlights that even these famously wide walls will be "utterly broken."
• "utterly broken" (יְעָרֵעַ, ye'are'a): This word is repeated for emphasis in the Hebrew, stressing the total and violent destruction that will come upon the walls.
• "labour in vain" (יָגַע, yaga‘) and "vain" (רִיק, riq): These words together underline that all the people’s hard work and effort will end up empty and pointless, reinforcing the futility of resisting God’s judgment.

Why Jeremiah 51:58 matters

• Jeremiah 51:58 makes clear that no matter how strong or secure a nation may seem, it cannot stand against God’s declared judgment; Babylon’s famous defenses are no match for God’s will.
• The verse connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah 50–51, where God promises to bring down Babylon as punishment for its pride and cruelty, showing that human effort alone cannot guarantee safety.
• The focus on wasted labor and exhaustion highlights the ultimate futility of trusting in human achievements or physical strength when they are set against God’s purposes.