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Jeremiah 51:7

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 51:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Babylon hath been a golden cup in Jehovah`s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Babylon hath been a golden cup in Jehovah`s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
Jeremiah 51:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 51

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4And they shall fall down slain in the land of the Chaldeans, and thrust through in her streets.
5For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, of his God, of Jehovah of hosts; though their land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel.
6Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life; be not cut off in her iniquity: for it is the time of Jehovah`s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense.
7Babylon hath been a golden cup in Jehovah`s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
8Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: wail for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
9We 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.
10Jehovah hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of Jehovah our God.
← Jeremiah 51:6Jeremiah 51:8 →
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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
“Babylon [hath been] a golden cup in the hand of the Lord, etc.] Either so called from the liquor in it, being of a yellow colour, or pure as gold, as the Jewish commentators generally; or from the matter of it, being made of gold, denoting the grandeur, splendour, and riches of the Babylonian empire; which, for the same reason, is called the head of gold, (<270238>Daniel 2:38); this was in the hand of the Lord, under his direction, and at his dispose; an instrument he make use of to dispense the cup of his wrath and vengeance to other nations, or to inflict punishment on them for their sins; (see <242515>Jeremiah 25:15-26); or else the sense is, that, by the permission of God, Babylon had by…”
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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
“Babylon is compared to a cup, because she was the vessel in the hand of God, to make drunken with His vengeance the other peoples (Jer 13:12; Jer 25:15-16). Compare as to spiritual Babylon, Rev 14:8; Rev 17:4. The cup is termed "golden," to express the splendor and opulence of Babylon; whence also in the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 2:38) the head representing Babylon is of gold (compare Isa 14:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Literally, “A golden cup is Babel in the hand of Yahweh, intoxicating the whole earth.” Jeremiah beholds her in her splendor, but the wine whereof she makes the nations drink is the wrath of God. As God’s hammer Jeremiah 50:23, Babylon was strong: as His cup of gold, she was rich and beautiful, but neither saves her from ruin. 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
“Drunken - She had made all the nations about her drunken with the Lord's fury. Mad - Through the misery they felt from her. Jeremiah 51:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“51:7 Babylon had been a gold cup, a vessel of unusual power and wealth that the Lord had used for a time to rule every nation in the ancient Near East. • The nations drank Babylon’s wine: All those nations had suffered greatly under Babylon’s heavy hand.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a golden: Isa 14:4; Dan 2:32, Dan 2:38; Rev 17:4 the nations: Jer 25:9, Jer 25:14-27; Dan 3:1-7; Hab 2:15, Hab 2:16; Rev 14:8, Rev 17:2, Rev 18:3, Rev 18:23, Rev 19:2 are mad: Jer 25:16, Jer 50:38 Jeremiah 51:8”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification