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Jeremiah 51:14

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 51:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jehovah 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jehovah 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.
Jeremiah 51:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 51

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
17Every man is become brutish [and is] without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
← Jeremiah 51:13Jeremiah 51:15 →
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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
“The Lord hath sworn by himself, [saying], etc.] Or, “by his soul” or “life”f1025; which is himself, than which he cannot swear by a greater, (<580613>Hebrews 6:13); and the certain performance of what he swears unto need not be doubted of; and indeed the design of the oath is to assure of the truth of the thing, about which, after this, there ought to be no hesitation: surely I fill thee with men as with caterpillars; or “locusts”f1026; march in vast numbers, and make sad desolation where they come; and to which a numerous army may fitly be compared; and which are here meant, even the army of Cyrus, that should enter Babylon, and fill it, as it did. So the Targum, “the Lord of hosts hath…”
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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
“by himself--literally, "by His soul" (Sa2 15:21; Heb 6:13). fill . . . with caterpillars--locusts (Nah 3:15). Numerous as are the citizens of Babylon, the invaders shall be more numerous.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Rather, “Surely I have filled thee with men as with locusts, and they shall sing over thee the vintage-song.” The vintage-shout suggests the idea of trampling Babylon under foot, as the vintagers trample the grapes; a metaphor of the divine wrath. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sworn: Jer 49:13; Amo 6:8; Heb 6:13 himself: Heb. his soul as with: Jer 46:23; Jdg 6:5; Joe 1:4-7, Joe 2:3, Joe 2:4, Joe 2:25; Nah 3:15-17 lift up: Heb. utter, Jer 50:15 Jeremiah 51:15”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 51 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification