Jeremiah 50:38 Meaning and Explanation
“A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Babylon's waters will dry up due to drought, resulting from her reliance on false gods and idols.
The Context of Jeremiah 50:38
Drought results from Babylon's idolatry and separation from the true God.
What Does Jeremiah 50:38 Mean?
The drought upon Babylon's waters strikes at the source of life. Water is essential for survival in Mesopotamia; dried-up waters mean famine and death. The drought is presented as a natural consequence (though divinely ordained) connected to Babylon's spiritual condition, not as miracle but as the result of God's judgment working through the natural order.
The explanation for the drought is theological: Babylon is the land of graven images where they are mad upon their idols. Their obsessive devotion to carved images and false gods has separated them from the true source of blessing. The idolatry is not simply religious error but madness—a fundamental loss of sanity and proper orientation.
Jeremiah 50:38 in the Original Language
Graven images and idols represent both the literal crafted gods and the spiritual direction of the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 50:38
What does Jeremiah 50:38 mean?
Babylon's waters will dry up due to drought, resulting from her reliance on false gods and idols.
What is the context of Jeremiah 50:38?
Drought results from Babylon's idolatry and separation from the true God.