We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.

JEREMIAH 51:9KJV
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Jeremiah 51:9 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 51:9 mean?

Jeremiah 51:9 describes how people tried to help or “heal” Babylon, but their efforts failed, so they decided to abandon her because her punishment or judgment was so great it reached up to the heavens. The verse shows that Babylon’s destruction was beyond repair, and people were urged to leave and return to their own lands.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking about Babylon, the powerful empire that had conquered many nations, including Judah. The people addressed are likely foreigners or allies living in Babylon, realizing that the city’s fate is sealed and that God’s judgment against her cannot be stopped. The verse uses strong imagery to show that Babylon’s downfall is certain and overwhelming, and that leaving is the only wise choice.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 51:9

  • “healed” (רָפָא, rapha): This word means to heal or restore. The verse repeats it to stress that all attempts to fix Babylon’s situation have failed, emphasizing the hopelessness of her condition.
  • “forsake” (עָזַב, azav): This means to leave or abandon. The call to forsake Babylon is a clear instruction to separate from her before judgment falls.
  • “judgment” (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word refers to a legal decision or sentence. Here, it highlights that what is happening to Babylon is not random disaster, but a just verdict.
  • “reacheth” (נָגַע, naga): This verb means to touch or reach. Saying Babylon’s judgment “reacheth unto heaven” paints a vivid picture of how severe and far-reaching her punishment is.

Why Jeremiah 51:9 matters

  • Jeremiah 51:9 clarifies that Babylon’s downfall is not just a political event, but a result of divine judgment that cannot be reversed by human effort.
  • The verse helps explain why people are told to leave Babylon: it is not just for their safety, but because her fate is sealed and staying would mean sharing in her judgment.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah 50–51, where Babylon’s pride and violence are answered by God’s justice, showing that even the mightiest empires are accountable to God.

Where else these words appear

“skies” Hebrew H7834 · used in 21 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
  • Job 38:37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
  • Psalms 89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

“healed” Hebrew H7495 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
  • Jeremiah 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.

“reacheth” Hebrew H5060 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  • Numbers 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
  • Psalms 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.