Jeremiah 51:34 Meaning and Explanation
“Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Judah's complaint: King Nebuchadnezzar has consumed them like a monster and left them empty.
The Context of Jeremiah 51:34
Judah laments Babylon's violent conquest and consumption of her substance.
What Does Jeremiah 51:34 Mean?
The voice shifts to Judah (or Jerusalem), pouring out a complaint against Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon. 'Devoured,' 'crushed,' 'swallowed up like a dragon'—violent imagery of consumption and destruction. Babylon conquered Judah, took her best people and treasure ('my delicates'), and left the nation emptied and broken. The list of violations accumulates to express the depth of suffering.
'He hath made me an empty vessel' conveys the hollowing out of Judah—its people, its substance, its life drained away. 'Cast me out' suggests abandonment and rejection. The monologue expresses the victim's perspective: what Babylon has done to Judah is violent, consuming, and devastating. This leads directly to God's promise of vengeance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 51:34
What does Jeremiah 51:34 mean?
Judah's complaint: King Nebuchadnezzar has consumed them like a monster and left them empty.
What is the context of Jeremiah 51:34?
Judah laments Babylon's violent conquest and consumption of her substance.