BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 50› Verse 14

Jeremiah 50:14

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 50:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Set yourselves in array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Set yourselves in array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against Jehovah.
Jeremiah 50:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 50

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Because ye are glad, because ye rejoice, O ye that plunder my heritage, because ye are wanton as a heifer that treadeth out [the grain], and neigh as strong horses;
12your mother shall be utterly put to shame; she that bare you shall be confounded: behold, she shall be the hindermost of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
13Because of the wrath of Jehovah she shall not be inhabited, but she shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
14Set yourselves in array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against Jehovah.
15Shout against her round about: she hath submitted herself; her bulwarks are fallen, her walls are thrown down; for it is the vengeance of Jehovah: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.
16Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.
17Israel is a hunted sheep; the lions have driven him away: first, the king of Assyria devoured him; and now at last Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
← Jeremiah 50:13Jeremiah 50:15 →
← Full Chapter 50 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about, etc.] This is directed to the Medes and Persians, to dispose of their army in proper places round about the city of Babylon, to besiege it; and to order their instruments of war, fit for that purpose, a convenient manner; since they might be sure of victory, the Lord being wroth with it, and having so severely threatened its ruin: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows; the Elamites, or Persians, as before observed, were well skilled in archery; and, as Xenophonf977 reports, Cyrus had in his army, when he came to Babylon, a great number of archers and slingers; and the archers are called upon to draw the bow, who were…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Summons to the Median army to attack Babylon. against the Lord--By oppressing His people, their cause is His cause. Also by profaning His sacred vessels (Dan 5:2).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“place the colon after bow. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“50:14 The Lord ordered armies to attack Babylon with a multitude of arrows, the artillery of that age. • she has sinned against the Lord: The primary charge leveled against other nations was also directed toward Babylon.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in array: Jer 50:9, Jer 51:2, Jer 51:11, Jer 51:12, Jer 51:27; Sa1 17:20; Sa2 10:9; Isa 13:4, Isa 13:17, Isa 13:18 bend: Jer 50:29, Jer 50:42, Jer 46:9, Jer 49:35; Isa 5:28 for she: Jer 50:7, Jer 50:11, Jer 50:29; Psa 51:4; Hab 2:8, Hab 2:17; Rev 17:5 Jeremiah 50:15”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 50 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification