Jeremiah 51:30

28 Prepare the nations for battle against her— the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the lands they rule.

29 The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.

The warriors of Babylon have stopped fighting; they sit in their strongholds. Their strength is exhausted; they have become like women. Babylon’s homes have been set ablaze, the bars of her gates are broken.

31 One courier races to meet another, and messenger follows messenger, to announce to the king of Babylon that his city has been captured from end to end.

32 The fords have been seized, the marshes set on fire, and the soldiers are terrified.”

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
The warriors of Babylon have stopped fighting; they sit in their strongholds. Their strength is exhausted; they have become like women. Babylon’s homes have been set ablaze, the bars of her gates are broken.
KJV
The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.
WEB
The mighty men of Babylon have stopped fighting, they remain in their strongholds. Their might has failed. They have become as women. Her dwelling places are set on fire. Her bars are broken.
ASV
The mighty men of Babylon have forborne to fight, they remain in their strongholds; their might hath failed; they are become as women: her dwelling-places are set on fire; her bars are broken.
DARBY
The mighty men of Babylon have ceased to fight, they are sitting in the fortresses; their might hath failed, they are become as women: they have set her dwelling places on fire; her bars are broken.
BLB
The mighty men of Babylon have ceased from fighting; they sit in their strongholds; their might has dried up; they have become like women; they have burned her dwelling places; her bars are broken.
ÅB
Babels kjemper har holdt opp å stride, de sitter stille i borgene, deres kraft er borte, de er blitt til kvinner; det er satt ild på dets boliger, dets bommer er sprengt.
OTB
Deres buer vil slakte de unge mennene; De vil ikke ha noen nåde for livmors frukt; Deres øyne vil ikke ha medlidenhet med barn.
B1930
Babels kjemper har holdt op å stride, de sitter stille i borgene, deres kraft er borte, de er blitt til kvinner; det er satt ild på dets boliger, dets bommer er sprengt.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Nahum 3:13

    Look at your troops— they are like your women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire consumes their bars.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 50:36–37

    A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 13:7–8

    Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 19:16

    In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble with fear beneath the uplifted hand of the LORD of Hosts, when He brandishes it against them.

    Read in context
  • Lamentations 2:9

    Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed and shattered their bars. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and even her prophets find no vision from the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 45:1–2

    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
  • Psalms 76:5

    The valiant lie plundered; they sleep their last sleep. No men of might could lift a hand.

    Read in context
  • Amos 1:5

    I will break down the gates of Damascus; I will cut off the ruler of the Valley of Aven and the one who wields the scepter in Beth-eden. The people of Aram will be exiled to Kir,” says the LORD.

    Read in context