Jeremiah 51:57-58

51:57 “I will make her officials and wise men drunk,

along with her governors, leaders, ¹  and warriors.

They will fall asleep forever and never wake up,” ² 

says the King whose name is the Lord who rules over all. ³ 

51:58 This is what the Lord who rules over all ⁴  says,

“Babylon’s thick wall ⁵  will be completely demolished. ⁶ 

Her high gates will be set on fire.

The peoples strive for what does not satisfy. ⁷ 

The nations grow weary trying to get what will be destroyed.” ⁸ 

[51:57]  ¹ sn For discussion of the terms “governors” and “leaders” see the note at Jer 51:23.

[51:57]  ² sn See the note at Jer 51:39.

[51:57]  ³ tn For the title “Yahweh of armies” see the study note on Jer 2:19.

[51:58]  ⁴ sn See the note at Jer 2:19.

[51:58]  ⁵ tn The text has the plural “walls,” but many Hebrew mss read the singular “wall,” which is also supported by the ancient Greek version. The modifying adjective “thick” is singular as well.

[51:58]  ⁶ tn The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following finite verb. Another option is to translate, “will certainly be demolished.”

[51:58]  ⁷ tn Heb “for what is empty.”

[51:58]  ⁸ tn Heb “and the nations for fire, and they grow weary.”