Bible Strands
Jeremiah 51:56
For a destroyer is coming against her—against Babylon. Her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken, for the LORD is a God of retribution; He will repay in full.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet pronounces judgment against Babylon within a broader oracle detailing the city's impending destruction and the silencing of its power.
The words — שׁוֹדֵד (sho.Ded) = a destroyer; גִּבּוֹרֶיהָ (gi.bo.Rei./ha) = its warriors.
The thread — The theme of divine repayment appears in Jeremiah 51:6 and Psalm 94:1, while the imagery of broken weapons echoes Psalm 46:9.
Why it lands — The text asserts that Babylon's military collapse is the direct result of a God who enacts measured justice, requiring the reader to recognize that human power yields to divine accounting.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the Lord God of recompences shall surely requite.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 51:6 Flee from Babylon! Escape with your lives! Do not be destroyed in her punishment. For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves.
- Psalms 46:9 He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.
- Psalms 94:1 O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth.
- Jeremiah 51:48 Then heaven and earth and all that is in them will shout for joy over Babylon because the destroyers from the north will come against her,” declares the LORD.
- Habakkuk 2:8 Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.
- Revelation 19:2 For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.”
- Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”
- Psalms 76:3 There He shattered the flaming arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war. Selah
- Isaiah 59:18 So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.
- Jeremiah 51:24 Before your very eyes I will repay Babylon and all the dwellers of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion,” declares the LORD.