Jeremiah 51:23 Meaning and Explanation
“I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will destroy Babylon's leadership, agriculture, and pastoral economy—its entire social and economic structure.
The Context of Jeremiah 51:23
God will destroy Babylon's entire social, economic, and political structure.
What Does Jeremiah 51:23 Mean?
The destruction reaches into economic and social life. Shepherds and their flocks represent pastoral economy; husbandmen (farmers) and oxen represent agricultural economy. These two economic bases of the ancient world will be shattered. 'Captains and rulers' represent political and military leadership. Every level of society is targeted.
This catalog moves from military forces to economic and social structures, showing that judgment encompasses the whole society. The specificity emphasizes comprehensive ruin—not just political collapse but the breakdown of the systems that sustained life and civilization. The impact extends to peasants and their livestock, not merely the elite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 51:23
What does Jeremiah 51:23 mean?
God will destroy Babylon's leadership, agriculture, and pastoral economy—its entire social and economic structure.
What is the context of Jeremiah 51:23?
God will destroy Babylon's entire social, economic, and political structure.