God confronts the pride of those who oppose Him, and He ensures that wrongdoing will be repaid.
“Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.” (v.29) In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah calls for a gathering of forces to oppose Babylon. The city of Babylon was located in the region of Mesopotamia, which is the land situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern-day Iraq). This area served as the seat of power for the Babylonian Empire, which reigned especially from 605 BC to 539 BC. The verse emphasizes the idea of “all those who bend the bow,” underscoring the need for warriors skilled in archery to surround the city and prevent any escape. Jeremiah’s words echo the concept of divine justice, insisting that the punishment should match the city’s wrongdoing. Babylon’s significant might and influence led them at times to act in arrogance toward the LORD, and Jeremiah underscores this as the central reason judgment is coming upon them.
When Jeremiah states, “Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her.” (v.29), he ties human actions to divine retribution. In the grand narrative of scripture, we see that God consistently judges nations—and people—who lift themselves up in pride against Him (as exemplified in Proverbs 16:18 though not quoted here). Babylon’s pride and hostility toward both the people of Judah and the sovereignty of the LORD is highlighted by Jeremiah, who prophesied during the final days of the Kingdom of Judah in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. This historical context clarifies that Judah had already suffered greatly at Babylon’s hand, but now God promises that this empire which rose to striking prominence would be likewise held accountable.
The verse concludes: “For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.” (v.29) This language points beyond mere political conquest, portraying Babylon’s downfall as a spiritual consequence for challenging the authority of the Holy One. Looking ahead to the New Testament, we see pride repeatedly denounced and humility upheld through Jesus’ teachings (Matthew 23:12). Although Babylon stood as a formidable empire built by rulers like Nebuchadnezzar (who reigned from 605 BC to 562 BC), the LORD’s judgment reminds us that not even the strongest worldly power can stand against God’s will forever.
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Jeremiah 50:29 meaning
“Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.” (v.29) In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah calls for a gathering of forces to oppose Babylon. The city of Babylon was located in the region of Mesopotamia, which is the land situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern-day Iraq). This area served as the seat of power for the Babylonian Empire, which reigned especially from 605 BC to 539 BC. The verse emphasizes the idea of “all those who bend the bow,” underscoring the need for warriors skilled in archery to surround the city and prevent any escape. Jeremiah’s words echo the concept of divine justice, insisting that the punishment should match the city’s wrongdoing. Babylon’s significant might and influence led them at times to act in arrogance toward the LORD, and Jeremiah underscores this as the central reason judgment is coming upon them.
When Jeremiah states, “Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her.” (v.29), he ties human actions to divine retribution. In the grand narrative of scripture, we see that God consistently judges nations—and people—who lift themselves up in pride against Him (as exemplified in Proverbs 16:18 though not quoted here). Babylon’s pride and hostility toward both the people of Judah and the sovereignty of the LORD is highlighted by Jeremiah, who prophesied during the final days of the Kingdom of Judah in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. This historical context clarifies that Judah had already suffered greatly at Babylon’s hand, but now God promises that this empire which rose to striking prominence would be likewise held accountable.
The verse concludes: “For she has become arrogant against the LORD, Against the Holy One of Israel.” (v.29) This language points beyond mere political conquest, portraying Babylon’s downfall as a spiritual consequence for challenging the authority of the Holy One. Looking ahead to the New Testament, we see pride repeatedly denounced and humility upheld through Jesus’ teachings (Matthew 23:12). Although Babylon stood as a formidable empire built by rulers like Nebuchadnezzar (who reigned from 605 BC to 562 BC), the LORD’s judgment reminds us that not even the strongest worldly power can stand against God’s will forever.