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Thursday, May 15th, 2025
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Contemporary English Version

Jeremiah 50:9

In the north I am bringing great nations together. They will attack Babylon and capture it. The arrows they shoot are like the best soldiers, always finding their target.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Torrey's Topical Textbook - Babylon;   Sieges;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Babylon;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Archer;   North Country;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Jeremiah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Greek Versions of Ot;   Lance, Lancet;   Persia, Persians;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Bridle;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
For I will soon stir up and bring against Babylonan assembly of great nations from the north country.They will line up in battle formation against her;from there she will be captured.Their arrows will be like a skilled warriorwho does not return empty-handed.
Hebrew Names Version
For, behold, I will stir up and cause to come up against Bavel a company of great nations from the north country; and they shall set themselves in array against her; from there she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of an expert mighty man; none shall return in vain.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a gathering of great nations, from the north country. And they shall array themselves against her. From there she shall be taken. Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed.
New American Standard Bible
"For behold, I am going to rouse and bring up against Babylon A contingent of great nations from the land of the north, And they will draw up their battle lines against her; From there she will be taken captive. Their arrows will be like an expert warrior Who does not return empty-handed.
New Century Version
I will soon bring against Babylon many great nations from the north. They will take their places for war against it, and it will be captured by people from the north. Their arrows are like trained soldiers who do not return from war with empty hands.
Amplified Bible
"For behold, I will stir up and bring up against Babylon An assembly of great nations from the north country. They will equip themselves and set up the battle lines against her; From there she will be taken captive. Their arrows will be like an expert warrior Who will not return empty-handed.
World English Bible
For, behold, 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 there she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of an expert mighty man; none shall return in vain.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For loe, I will raise, and cause to come vp against Babel a multitude of mightie natios from the North countrey, and they shall set themselues in aray against her, whereby shee shall be taken: their arrowes shall be as of a strong man, which is expert, for none shall returne in vaine.
Legacy Standard Bible
For behold, I am going to arouse and bring up against BabylonAn assembly of great nations from the land of the north,And they will arrange their battle lines against her;From there she will be taken captive.Their arrows will be like a warrior who makes one childlessWho does not return empty‑handed.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
for I will stir up and bring against Bavel an alliance of great nations from the country to the north. They will array themselves against her; from there she will be captured. Their arrows are like those of a death-dealing warrior; none will return in vain.
Darby Translation
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
I will bring many nations together from the north. This group of nations will get ready for war against Babylon. Babylon will be captured by people from the north. Those nations will shoot many arrows at Babylon. Their arrows will be like soldiers who don't come back from war with their hands empty.
George Lamsa Translation
For, behold, I will stir up and cause to come against Babylon a multitude of many 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 those of an expert archer; none shall return empty.
Good News Translation
I am going to stir up a group of strong nations in the north and make them attack Babylonia. They will line up in battle against the country and conquer it. They are skillful hunters, shooting arrows that never miss the mark.
Lexham English Bible
For look, I am going to stir up, and I am going to bring against Babylon a contingent of great nations from the land of the north. And they will draw up a battle formation against her, from there she will be captured. Their arrows are like a warrior who has achieved success, he does not return without success.
Literal Translation
For, behold, I am stirring up and bringing up a company of great nations from a northern land against Babylon. And they shall array themselves against her. She shall be captured there; their arrows skillful man; they shall not return empty.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For lo, I will wake vp an hoost of people from ye northren londe, & bringe them vpon Babilon: these shal laye sege to it, & wynne it: Their arowes shal not mysse, like as a connynge archer shuteth not wronge.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
For see, I am moving and sending up against Babylon a band of great nations from the north country: and they will put their armies in position against her; and from there she will be taken: their arrows will be like those of an expert man of war; not one will come back without getting its mark.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
For, lo, I will stir up 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 man that maketh childless; none shall return in vain.
King James Version (1611)
For loe, I will raise and cause to come vp against Babylon, an assembly of great nations from the North countrey, and they shall set themselues in aray against her, from thence shee shalbe taken: their arrowes shalbe as of a mightie expert man: none shall returne in vaine.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For lo, I wyll wake vp an hoast of people from the northren lande, & bryng them vpon Babylon, these shal lay siege to it, and winne it: their arrowes shall not misse, like as a cunnyng archer shooteth not wrong.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Take thee great stones, and hide them in the entrance, at the gate of the house of Pharao in Taphnas, in the sight of the men of Juda:
English Revised Version
For, lo, I will stir up 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 an expert mighty man; none shall return in vain.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For lo! Y schal reise, and brynge in to Babiloyne the gaderyng togidere of grete folkis, fro the lond of the north; and thei schulen be maad redi ayens it, and it schal be takun in the dai; the arowe therof as of a strong man a sleere, schal not turne ayen voide.
Update Bible Version
For, look, 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 there she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as a mighty man taking away children, they shall not return in vain.
Webster's Bible Translation
For lo, I will raise and cause to come 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.
New English Translation
For I will rouse into action and bring against Babylon a host of mighty nations from the land of the north. They will set up their battle lines against her. They will come from the north and capture her. Their arrows will be like a skilled soldier who does not return from the battle empty-handed.
New King James Version
For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against BabylonAn assembly of great nations from the north country,And they shall array themselves against her;From there she shall be captured.Their arrows shall be like those of an expert warrior; [fn] None shall return in vain.
New Living Translation
For I am raising up an army of great nations from the north. They will join forces to attack Babylon, and she will be captured. The enemies' arrows will go straight to the mark; they will not miss!
New Life Bible
For I am going to raise up and bring against Babylon a group of great nations from the land of the north. They will come ready for battle against her, and she will be taken. Their arrows will be like an able soldier who does not return with empty hands.
New Revised Standard
For I am going to stir up and bring against Babylon a company of great nations from the land of the north; and they shall array themselves against her; from there she shall be taken. Their arrows are like the arrows of a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For lo! I am rousing and bringing up against Babylon a gathered host of great nations, out of the land of the North, And they shall array themselves against her, From thence, shall she be captured, - His arrows, are as of a hero making childless, None shall return empty.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For behold I raise up, and will bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north: and they shall be prepared against her, and from thence she shall be taken: their arrows, like those of a mighty man, a destroyer, shall not return in vain.
Revised Standard Version
For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a company of great nations, from the north country; and they shall array themselves against her; from there she shall be taken. Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed.
Young's Literal Translation
For, lo, I am stirring up, And am causing to come up against Babylon, An assembly of great nations from a land of the north, And they have set in array against her, From thence she is captured, Its arrow -- as a skilful hero -- returneth not empty,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"For behold, I am going to arouse and bring up against Babylon A horde of great nations from the land of the north, And they will draw up their battle lines against her; From there she will be taken captive. Their arrows will be like an expert warrior Who does not return empty-handed.

Contextual Overview

9 In the north I am bringing great nations together. They will attack Babylon and capture it. The arrows they shoot are like the best soldiers, always finding their target. 10 Babylonia will be conquered, and its enemies will carry off everything they want. 11 The Lord said: People of Babylonia, you were glad to rob my people. You had a good time, making more noise than horses and jumping around like calves threshing grain. 12 The city of Babylon was like a mother to you. But it will be disgraced and become nothing but a barren desert. 13 My anger will destroy Babylon, and no one will live there. Everyone who passes by will be shocked to see what has happened. 14 Babylon has rebelled against me. Archers, take your places. Shoot all your arrows at Babylon. 15 Attack from every side! Babylon surrenders! The enemy tears down its walls and towers. I am taking my revenge by doing to Babylon what it did to other cities. 16 There is no one in Babylonia to plant or harvest crops. Even foreigners who lived there have left for their homelands, afraid of the enemy armies. 17 Israel is a flock of sheep scattered by hungry lions. The king of Assyria first gobbled Israel down. Then Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylonia, crunched on Israel's bones. 18 I, the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel, punished the king of Assyria, and I will also punish the king of Babylonia.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I will raise: Jeremiah 50:3, Jeremiah 50:21, Jeremiah 50:26, Jeremiah 50:41, Jeremiah 50:42, Jeremiah 15:14, Jeremiah 51:1-4, Jeremiah 51:11, Jeremiah 51:27, Jeremiah 51:28, Ezra 1:1, Ezra 1:2, Isaiah 13:2-5, Isaiah 13:17, Isaiah 21:2, Isaiah 41:25, Isaiah 45:1-4

an assembly: The army of Cyrus was composed of Medes, Persians, Armenians, Caducians, Sace, etc.; all of which, arranged under the Medes, came from the north.

they shall: Jeremiah 50:14, Jeremiah 50:29

expert man: or, destroyer

none: 2 Samuel 1:22, Isaiah 13:18

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:8 - pierce Psalms 127:4 - arrows Isaiah 13:5 - from a far Isaiah 21:9 - behold Jeremiah 1:14 - Out of Jeremiah 12:14 - against Jeremiah 25:14 - many Jeremiah 25:26 - all the kings Jeremiah 27:7 - all Jeremiah 49:14 - Gather Jeremiah 51:48 - the spoilers Jeremiah 51:53 - from Obadiah 1:1 - Arise

Cross-References

Genesis 41:43
He also let him ride in the chariot next to his own, and people shouted, "Make way for Joseph!" So Joseph was governor of Egypt.
Genesis 46:29
So Joseph got in his chariot and went to meet his father. When they met, Joseph hugged his father around the neck and cried for a long time.
Exodus 14:7
He commanded his officers in charge of his six hundred best chariots and all his other chariots to start after the Israelites.
Exodus 14:17
I will make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will go after you. Then I will be praised because of what happens to the king and his chariots and cavalry.
Exodus 14:28
The water came and covered the chariots, the cavalry, and the whole Egyptian army that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them was left alive.
2 Kings 18:24
How could you even defeat our lowest ranking officer, when you have to depend on Egypt for chariots and cavalry?
Song of Solomon 1:9
You move as gracefully as the pony that leads the chariot of the king.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon,.... The work was of the Lord; it was he that would give a commission and a command to the enemies of Babylon; that would incline them, and stir them up, to come against her; that would direct their motions and guide them thither, so that it would assuredly be; wherefore it behooves the people of God to make haste out of it:

an assembly of great nations from the north country; the Medes and Persians, with their allies and auxiliaries which came with them from the north; as also a collection of Christian nations from the north of Europe against antichrist:

and they shall set themselves in array against her; draw up their army in form of battle, or prepare and dispose their instruments of war for the siege of Babylon:

from thence shall she be taken; on the north side, from which quarter the enemy should come; or from the place where their army is drawn up in battle array; or suddenly, and at once: so Babylon was destroyed by Cyrus; and the destruction of Rome, or mystical Babylon, will be sudden and at an unawares, Revelation 18:8;

their arrows [shall be] as of a mighty expert man; or "that bereaves" g women of their husbands, and parents of their children: the Medes and Persians were famous for archery, strong to draw the bow, and skilful to guide and direct the arrow. Strabo h says of Media major, that it sometimes furnished out thirteen thousand archers to the Elymaeans, or Persians, against the Susians and Babylonians;

none shall return in vain; not one of the arrows but shall do execution, kill a man: or "it", or "he, which" or "who, shall not return in vain" i; the assembly of nations, or anyone of the archers or soldiers.

g משכיל "orbantis", Pagninus, Vatablus, Piscator. h Geograph. l. 11. p. 361. i לא ישוב ריקם "quae non redibit frustra", Schmidt; "quae non revertitur frustra", De Dieu; "qui non redit vacuus", Cocceius.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I will raise - Or, stir up.

An assembly of great nations - The Medo-Persian empire was as much an aggregate of discordant nations as that of Babylon.

From thence - From the north, i. e., by the great nations coming thence.

Return in vain - A proverbial expression for ill success (compare Isaiah 55:11). Here the skillful warrior returns not empty.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 50:9. An assembly of great nations — The army of Cyrus was composed of Medes, Persians, Armenians, Caducians, Sacae, c. Though all these did not come from the north yet they were arranged under the Medes, who did come from the north, in reference to Babylon.

Their arrows — They are such expert archers, that they shall never miss their mark.


 
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