Jeremiah 50:9

7 All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’

8 Flee from the midst of Babylon; depart from the land of the Chaldeans; be like the he-goats that lead the flock.

For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.

10 Chaldea will be plundered; all who plunder her will have their fill,” declares the LORD.

11 “Because you rejoice, because you sing in triumph— you who plunder My inheritance— because you frolic like a heifer treading grain and neigh like stallions,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.
KJV
For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
WEB
For, behold, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country; and they will set themselves in array against her. She will be taken from there. Their arrows will be as of an expert mighty man. None of them will return in vain.
ASV
For, lo, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country; and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of an expert mighty man; none shall return in vain.
DARBY
For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon, an assemblage of great nations from the north country; and they shall set themselves in array against her: from thence shall she be taken. Their arrows shall be as those of a mighty expert man: none shall return empty.
BLB
For behold, I am rousing and making come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north, and they will array themselves against her. From there she will be captured. Their arrows [are] like those of a skilled warrior; not one will return empty.
ÅB
For se, jeg vekker og fører opp imot Babel en skare av store folkeslag fra landet i nord, og de skal stille seg opp imot det; av dem skal det bli inntatt; deres piler er som en prøvet kjempes, ingen vender tilbake med uforrettet sak.
OTB
For jeg vekker opp og bringer mot Babylon en forsamling av store nasjoner fra nord. De vil stille seg opp mot henne, og derfra vil hun bli erobret. Deres piler vil være som de fra en dyktig kriger som ikke vender tomhendt tilbake.
B1930
For se, jeg vekker og fører op imot Babel en skare av store folkeslag fra landet i nord, og de skal stille sig op imot det; av dem skal det bli inntatt; deres piler er som en prøvet kjempes, ingen vender tilbake med uforrettet sak.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 13:17–18

    Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 50:26

    Come against her from the farthest border. Break open her granaries; pile her up like mounds of grain. Devote her to destruction; leave her no survivors.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 50:14

    Line up in formation around Babylon, all you who draw the bow! Shoot at her! Spare no arrows! For she has sinned against the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 51:27–28

    “Raise a banner in the land! Blow the ram’s horn among the nations! Prepare the nations against her. Summon the kingdoms against her— Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a captain against her; bring up horses like swarming locusts.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 51:11

    Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD— vengeance for His temple.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 51:1–4

    This is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will stir up against Babylon and against the people of Leb-kamai the spirit of a destroyer.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 45:1–4

    This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 15:14

    Then I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for My anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you.”

    Read in context