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Jeremiah 51:13

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 51:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, the measure of thy covetousness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, the measure of thy covetousness.
Jeremiah 51:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 51

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Jehovah hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of Jehovah our God.
11Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields: Jehovah hath stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; because his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it: for it is the vengeance of Jehovah, the vengeance of his temple.
12Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; for Jehovah hath both purposed and done that which he spake concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.
13O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, the measure of thy covetousness.
14Jehovah of hosts hath sworn by himself, [saying], Surely I will fill thee with men, as with the canker-worm; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.
15He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens:
16when he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“O thou that dwellest upon many waters, etc.] Here Babylon is addressed, either by the Lord, or by the prophet, or the godly Jews; who is described by her, situation, which was by the great river Euphrates; which being branched out into several canals or rivers, both ran through it, and encompassed it; hence mention is made of the rivers of Babylon, (<19D701>Psalm 137:1); and a fit emblem this city was of mystical Babylon, which is also said to sit on many waters, interpreted of people and nations, (<661701>Revelation 17:1,15); and which Kimchi here interprets of an affluence of good things, though he admits of the literal sense of the words: abundant in treasures: of corn, and of the fruits…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“waters-- (Jer 51:32, Jer 51:36; see on Isa 21:1). The Euphrates surrounded the city and, being divided into many channels, formed islands. Compare as to spiritual Babylon "waters," that is, "many peoples," Rev 17:1, Rev 17:15. A large lake also was near Babylon. measure--literally, "cubit," which was the most common measure, and therefore is used for a measure in general. The time for putting a limit to thy covetousness [GESENIUS]. There is no "and" in the Hebrew: translate, "thine end, the retribution for thy covetousness" [GROTIUS]. MAURER takes the image to be from weaving: "the cubit where thou art to be cut off"; for the web is cut off, when the required number of cubits is completed…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Upon many waters - The great wealth of Babylonia was caused not merely by the Euphrates, but by a vast system of canals, which served for defense as well as for irrigation. The measure of thy covetousness - i. e., the appointed end of thy gain. Some render it: the ell of thy cutting off, i. e., the appointed measure at which thou art to be cut off, at which thy web of existence is to be severed from the loom. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Waters - Babylon is said to dwell upon many waters, because the great river Euphrates, did not only run by it, but almost encompass it branching itself into many smaller rivers, which made several parts of the city, islands. Jeremiah 51:23”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“dwellest: Jer 51:36; Rev 17:1, Rev 17:15 abundant: Jer 50:37; Isa 45:3; Hab 2:5-10; Rev 18:11-17 thine: Jer 17:11, Jer 50:27, Jer 50:31; Gen 6:13; Lam 4:18; Eze 7:2-12; Dan 5:26; Amo 8:2; Pe1 4:7 and the: Hab 2:9-11; Luk 12:19-21; Pe2 2:3, Pe2 2:14, Pe2 2:15; Jde 1:11-13; Rev 18:19 Jeremiah 51:14”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification