Jeremiah 51:11

The NET Bible®

"Sharpen your arrows! Fill your quivers! The Lord will arouse a spirit of hostility in the kings of Media. For he intends to destroy Babylonia. For that is how the Lord will get his revenge— how he will get his revenge for the Babylonians' destruction of his temple.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Sharpen the arrows!Fill the quivers!The Lord has roused the spiritof the kings of the Medesbecause his plan is aimed at Babylonto destroy her,for it is the Lord’s vengeance,vengeance for his temple.

Hebrew Names Version
Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields: the LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Madai; because his purpose is against Bavel, to destroy it: for it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

King James Version
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.

English Standard Version
"Sharpen the arrows! Take up the shields! The Lord has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose concerning Babylon is to destroy it, for that is the vengeance of the Lord , the vengeance for his temple.

New American Standard Bible
Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, Because His plan is against Babylon to destroy it; For it is the vengeance of the LORD, vengeance for His temple.

New Century Version
"Sharpen the arrows! Pick up your shields! The Lord has stirred up the kings of the Medes, because he wants to destroy Babylon. The Lord will punish them as they deserve for destroying his Temple.

Amplified Bible
Sharpen the arrows, take up the shields [and cover yourselves]! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, Because His purpose concerning Babylon is to destroy it; For that is the vengeance of the LORD, vengeance [on Babylon] for [plundering and destroying] His temple.

World English Bible
Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields: Yahweh 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 Yahweh, the vengeance of his temple.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Make bright the arrowes: gather the shieldes: the Lorde hath raised vp the spirit of the King of the Medes: for his purpose is against Babel to destroy it, because it is the vengeance of the Lord, and the vengeance of his Temple.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused 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, vengeance for His temple.

Legacy Standard Bible
Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers!Yahweh has aroused the spirit of the kings of the MedesBecause His purpose is against Babylon to destroy it;For it is the vengeance of Yahweh, vengeance for His temple.

Berean Standard Bible
Sharpen the arrows! Take up the shields! 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.

Contemporary English Version
I, the Lord , want Babylon destroyed, because its army destroyed my temple. So, you kings of Media, sharpen your arrows and pick up your shields.

Complete Jewish Bible
Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! Adonai roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because he plans to destroy Bavel. This is the vengeance of Adonai vengeance over his temple.

Darby Translation
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.

Easy-to-Read Version
Sharpen the arrows! Get your shields! The Lord has stirred up the kings of the Medes because he wants to destroy Babylon. The army from Babylon destroyed his Temple in Jerusalem, so he will give them the punishment they deserve.

George Lamsa Translation
Gather the quivers; fill them with arrows; the LORD has stirred up the spirit of the king of the Medes; for his device is against Babylon, to destroy her; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

Good News Translation
The Lord has stirred up the kings of Media, because he intends to destroy Babylonia. That is how he will take revenge for the destruction of his Temple. The attacking officers command, "Sharpen your arrows! Get your shields ready!

Lexham English Bible
Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! Yahweh has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. Because his plan concerning Babylon is to destroy it, for that is the vengeance of Yahweh, the vengeance for his temple.

Literal Translation
Purify the arrows, fill the shields; Jehovah has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon, to destroy it , because it is the vengeance of Jehovah, the vengeance of His temple.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Make sharpe the arowes, and fyll the quyuers: for the LORDE shall rayse vp the sprete of the kynge of the Meedes, which hath allready a desyre to destroye Babilon. This shalbe the vengeaunce of the LORDES, and the vengeaunce of his temple.

American Standard Version
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.

Bible in Basic English
Make bright the arrows; take up the body-covers: the Lord has been moving the spirit of the king of the Medes; because his design against Babylon is its destruction: for it is the punishment from the Lord, the payment for his Temple.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
Make bright the arrows, fill the quivers, the LORD hath roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes; because His device is against Babylon, to destroy it; for it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of His temple.

King James Version (1611)
Make bright the arrowes: gather the shields: the Lord hath raised vp the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his deuice is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Make sharpe the arrowes, and multiplie your shieldes: for the Lorde shall rayse vp the spirite of the kyng of the Medes, which hath alredy a desire to destroy Babylon: this shalbe the vengeaunce of the Lorde, & the vengeaunce of his temple.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold I do set my face against you

English Revised Version
Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields: the LORD hath stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; because his device is against Babylon, to destroy it: for it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Scharpe ye arowis, fille ye arowe caasis; the Lord reiside the spirit of the kyngis of Medeis, and his mynde is ayen Babiloyne, that he leese it, for it is the veniaunce of the Lord, the veniaunce of his temple. The kyng of Medeis is reisid of the Lord ayens Babiloyne.

Update Bible Version
Make sharp the arrows; hold firm the shields: Yahweh 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 Yahweh, the vengeance of his temple.

Webster's Bible Translation
Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his purpose [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

New King James Version
Make the arrows bright! Gather the shields! The LORD has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it, Because it is the vengeance of the LORD, The vengeance for His temple.

New Living Translation
Sharpen the arrows! Lift up the shields! For the Lord has inspired the kings of the Medes to march against Babylon and destroy her. This is his vengeance against those who desecrated his Temple.

New Life Bible
Make the arrows sharp! Take the body-coverings! The Lord has moved the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because He is planning to destroy Babylon. It is the punishment of the Lord, the punishment for what was done to His house of worship.

New Revised Standard
Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The Lord has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose concerning Babylon is to destroy it, for that is the vengeance of the Lord , vengeance for his temple.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Polish the arrows, Lay hold of the shields, - Yahweh hath roused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, For against Babylon, his purpose is, to destroy her, - For it is, The avenging of Yahweh, The avenging of his temple.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers, the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: and his mind is against Babylon to destroy it, because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple.

Revised Standard Version
"Sharpen the arrows! Take up the shields! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his purpose concerning Babylon is to destroy it, for that is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance for his temple.

Young's Literal Translation
Cleanse ye the arrows, fill the shields, Stirred up hath Jehovah the spirit of the kings of Madia, For against Babylon His device [is] to destroy it, For the vengeance of Jehovah it [is], The vengeance of His temple.

THE MESSAGE
"Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! God has stirred up the kings of the Medes, infecting them with war fever: ‘Destroy Babylon!' God 's on the warpath. He's out to avenge his Temple. Give the signal to attack Babylon's walls. Station guards around the clock. Bring in reinforcements. Set men in ambush. God will do what he planned, what he said he'd do to the people of Babylon. You have more water than you need, you have more money than you need— But your life is over, your lifeline cut."

Contextual Overview

¹ The Lord says, "I will cause a destructive wind to blow against Babylon and the people who inhabit Babylonia. ² I will send people to winnow Babylonia like a wind blowing away chaff. They will winnow her and strip her land bare. This will happen when they come against her from every direction, when it is time to destroy her. ³ Do not give her archers time to string their bows or to put on their coats of armor. Do not spare any of her young men. Completely destroy her whole army. ⁴ Let them fall slain in the land of Babylonia, mortally wounded in the streets of her cities. ⁵ "For Israel and Judah will not be forsaken by their God, the Lord who rules over all. For the land of Babylonia is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel. ⁶ Get out of Babylonia quickly, you foreign people. Flee to save your lives. Do not let yourselves be killed because of her sins. For it is time for the Lord to wreak his revenge. He will pay Babylonia back for what she has done. ⁷ Babylonia had been a gold cup in the Lord 's hand. She had made the whole world drunk. The nations had drunk from the wine of her wrath. So they have all gone mad. ⁸ But suddenly Babylonia will fall and be destroyed. Cry out in mourning over it! Get medicine for her wounds! Perhaps she can be healed! ⁹ Foreigners living there will say, ‘We tried to heal her, but she could not be healed. Let's leave Babylonia and each go back to his own country. For judgment on her will be vast in its proportions. It will be like it is piled up to heaven, stacked up into the clouds.' ¹⁰ The exiles from Judah will say, ‘The Lord has brought about a great deliverance for us! Come on, let's go and proclaim in Zion what the Lord our God has done!'

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Make: Jeremiah 46:4, Jeremiah 46:9, Jeremiah 50:9, Jeremiah 50:14, Jeremiah 50:25, Jeremiah 50:28, Jeremiah 50:29, Isaiah 21:5

bright: Heb. pure

the Lord hath: Jeremiah 51:27, Jeremiah 51:28, 1 Kings 11:14, 1 Kings 11:23, 1 Chronicles 5:26, 2 Chronicles 36:22, Ezra 1:1, Isaiah 10:26, Isaiah 13:17, Isaiah 13:18, Isaiah 21:2, Isaiah 41:25, Isaiah 45:1, Isaiah 45:5, Isaiah 46:11, Revelation 17:16, Revelation 17:17

the spirit: Of Cyaxares king of Media, called "Darius the Mede" in scripture; and of Cyrus his nephew, king of persia, presumptive heir of the throne of his uncle.

his device: Jeremiah 51:12, Jeremiah 51:29, Jeremiah 50:45

the vengeance: Jeremiah 51:24, Jeremiah 51:35, Jeremiah 50:15, Jeremiah 50:28, Psalms 74:3-11, Psalms 83:3-9, Habakkuk 2:17-20, Zechariah 12:2, Zechariah 12:3, Zechariah 14:2, Zechariah 14:12

Reciprocal: Esther 1:3 - of Persia Isaiah 13:4 - noise Isaiah 13:5 - from a far Isaiah 47:3 - I will take Jeremiah 18:11 - and devise Jeremiah 25:25 - Medes Jeremiah 46:3 - General Jeremiah 49:14 - Gather Jeremiah 50:3 - out of the Jeremiah 50:41 - General Jeremiah 51:6 - for this Jeremiah 51:48 - the spoilers Jeremiah 51:49 - As Babylon Jeremiah 51:53 - from Daniel 5:30 - General Daniel 8:3 - one Joel 3:5 - ye Nahum 2:1 - keep Habakkuk 2:7 - they Revelation 8:5 - and filled

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Make bright the arrows,.... Which were covered with rust; scour them of it; anoint them with oil, as armour were wont to be; make them neat, clean, and bright, that they may pierce the deeper; hence we read of a "polished shaft", or arrow, one made bright and pure,

Isaiah 49:2; agreeably to this some render the word "sharpen the arrows" k; so the Targum. The word has the signification of "choosing"; but, as Gussetius observes l, whether the direction be to choose the best arrows, or to scour clean and polish them, the end is the same; namely, to have such as are most fit for use. Joseph Kimchi derives the word from another, which signifies a feather; and so renders it, "feather the arrows" m; that they may fly the swifter. These and what follow are either the words of God, or of the prophet; or, as some think, of the Jews about to return to Judea, whose words are continued, exhorting the Medes and Persians to go on with the war against the Chaldeans; but they rather seem to be addressed to the Chaldeans themselves, putting them upon doing these things; and suggesting, that when they had done all they could, it would be to no purpose:

gather the shields; which lay scattered about and neglected in time of peace: or, "fill" them; fill the hands with them; or bring in a full or sufficient number; since there would be now occasion for them, to defend them against the enemy. The Targum, and several versions, render it, "fill the quivers" n; that is, with arrows; and so Jarchi: or, "fill the shields" o; that is, with oil; anoint them, as in

Isaiah 21:5;

the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; of Cyaxares, or Darius the Mede, and of Cyrus, who succeeded his uncle as king of Media; and indeed the army that came against Babylon was an army of Medes joined by the Persians, Cyrus being employed as general of it by his uncle. The Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read it, "the spirit of the king of the Medes"; with which the following clause seems to agree:

for his device [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; the device of the king of the Medes, Darius; or rather the device of the Lord, who stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes; put it into their hearts to fulfil his will; and gave them wisdom and skill, courage and resolution, to do it; and as he will to the kings of the earth against mystical Babylon, Revelation 17:16;

because it [is] the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple; his vengeance on Babylon, for the destruction of his temple, and the profanation of it; see Jeremiah 50:28.

k הברו החצים "acuite sagittas", V. L. Castalio; "exacuite", Montanus. l Ebr. Comment. p. 148. m "Ponite pennas in sagittis", so some in Vatablus. n מלאו השלטים πληρουτε τας φαρετρας, Sept. "implete pharetras", V. L. Castalio, So Syr. this version is prefered by Gussetius, Ebr. Comment. p. 860, 945. o "Implete scuta, scil. oleo", Stockius, p. 1098.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Make bright - Rather, Sharpen.

The Medes Genesis 10:2 were a branch of the great Aryan family, who as conquerors had seized upon the vast regions extending from the Caspian Sea to the eastern borders of Mesopotamia, but without being able to dispossess the Turanian tribes who had previously dwelt there. They were divided into numerous clans, each with its own local chief, the leaders of the larger sections being those who are here called kings.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 51:11. Make bright the arrows — This is the prophet's address to Babylon.

The Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes — Of Cyaxares king of Media, called Darius the Mede in Scripture; and of Cyrus king of Persia, presumptive heir of the throne of Cyaxares, his uncle. Cambyses, his father, sent him, Cyrus, with 30,000 men to assist his uncle Cyaxares, against Neriglissar king of Babylon, and by these was Babylon overthrown.