Jeremiah 51:55

53 Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.

54 A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:

Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:

56 Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.

57 And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.

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 the LORD will destroy Babylon; He will silence her mighty voice. The waves will roar like great waters; the tumult of their voices will resound.
KJV
Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
WEB
For the LORD lays Babylon waste, and destroys out of her the great voice! Their waves roar like many waters. The noise of their voice is uttered.
ASV
For Jehovah layeth Babylon waste, and destroyeth out of her the great voice; and their waves roar like many waters; the noise of their voice is uttered:
DARBY
for Jehovah spoileth Babylon, and he will destroy out of her the great voice; and their waves roar like great waters, the noise of their voice resoundeth.
BLB
For YHWH is destroying Babylon, and He has destroyed from her the great voice; and have sounded their waves like great waters, and has given forth their voice a roar.
ÅB
For Herren ødelegger Babel og gjør ende på den sterke larm i byen; og deres[^7] bølger skal bruse som store vann, deres larmende røst skal la seg høre.
OTB
Dere som har unnsluppet kaldeernes sverd, Seil bort for å bo hos dem, Og grav ned i jorden deres plagg, Skjul det fra undertrykkerens ansikt.
B1930
For Herren ødelegger Babel og gjør ende på den sterke larm i byen; og deres bølger skal bruse som store vann, deres larmende røst skal la sig høre. / < fiendenes.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 25:10

    Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 17:13

    The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 18:4

    The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 50:10–15

    And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 15:1

    The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 24:8–11

    The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 26:3

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 51:42

    The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.

    Read in context