Jeremiah 51:35 Meaning and Explanation
“The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Zion and Jerusalem call for justice: may the violence inflicted on them return upon their oppressor.
The Context of Jeremiah 51:35
Zion and Jerusalem cry out for divine justice against Babylon for its violence.
What Does Jeremiah 51:35 Mean?
The complaint now becomes a prayer for justice. 'The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon' calls for divine retaliation. 'My flesh' emphasizes the personal, physical harm—conquest was not merely political but involved suffering of real people. The speakers (inhabitants of Zion and Jerusalem) call for the violence to be returned to its perpetrators.
'And my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea' continues the cry for justice, using 'blood' (shed in violence and death) as the measure of retribution. This is not vindictiveness but a demand for justice—that those who shed innocent blood would themselves face judgment. The prayer is answered in the surrounding prophecy of Babylon's fall.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 51:35
What does Jeremiah 51:35 mean?
Zion and Jerusalem call for justice: may the violence inflicted on them return upon their oppressor.
What is the context of Jeremiah 51:35?
Zion and Jerusalem cry out for divine justice against Babylon for its violence.