Jeremiah 51:11

9 We 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.

10 The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.

Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.

13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.

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
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.
KJV
Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
WEB
“Make the arrows sharp! Hold the shields firmly! The LORD has 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 the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
ASV
Make 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.
DARBY
Sharpen the arrows; take the shields. Jehovah hath stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; for his purpose is against Babylon, to destroy it; for this is the vengeance of Jehovah, the vengeance of his temple.
BLB
Make bright the arrows! Fill the quivers! YHWH has roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan [is] against Babylon to destroy her. For it [is] the vengeance of YHWH, vengeance for His temple.
ÅB
Gjør pilene blanke, grip skjoldene! Herren har vakt mederkongenes ånd; for mot Babel er hans tanke rettet, han vil ødelegge det; for det er Herrens hevn, hevnen for hans tempel.
OTB
«‘Herren av hærskarene har sverget ved seg selv: «Sannelig, jeg vil fylle deg med menn som gresshopper, Og med en slik mengde mennesker at lyden av dem vil forbløffe deg.
B1930
Gjør pilene blanke, grip skjoldene! Herren har vakt mederkongenes ånd; for mot Babel er hans tanke rettet, han vil ødelegge det; for det er Herrens hevn, hevnen for hans tempel.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 46:4

    Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 50:45

    Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 46:9

    Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 50:9

    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.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 50:14–15

    Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 13:17–18

    Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 14:12

    And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 41:25

    I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.

    Read in context