“Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.”
My Notes
What Does Jeremiah 51:56 Mean?
Jeremiah announces the spoiler's arrival upon Babylon: her mighty men are captured, their bows broken. The weapons that made Babylon the dominant military force are snapped and useless. And the reason is stated with devastating clarity: "the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite." God is the God of payback—precise, certain, and thorough.
The title "God of recompences" (El gemuloth) appears only here in Scripture. It's a title forged specifically for this moment: God is identifying Himself as the one who ensures that every account is settled. Recompense means exact repayment—measure for measure. What Babylon did to others will be done to Babylon.
The broken bows are significant because the bow was Babylon's premier weapon—their archers were feared throughout the ancient world. Breaking their bows means destroying their primary source of military power. God doesn't just defeat Babylon. He dismantles the specific instrument of their dominance. The thing they relied on most is the thing that breaks first.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What 'bow'—instrument of power or harm—has been used against you? Can you trust God to break it?
- 2.God targets the specific instrument of dominance. What does that look like in your situation?
- 3.The 'God of recompences' promises exact repayment. How does knowing the account will settle change how you wait for justice?
- 4.What are you relying on that might be your own 'bow'—the thing that gives you false confidence but that God could break?
Devotional
Their bows are broken. The weapon that made Babylon terrifying—the instrument of their dominance, the thing that made nations tremble—snapped. And the one who broke them identifies Himself with a unique title: the God of recompenses. The God who pays back.
God breaking the bow is deliberate targeting. He didn't just generally weaken Babylon. He destroyed the specific instrument of their power. Whatever they relied on most, whatever was the source of their dominance and their victims' terror—that's what God broke first.
This principle applies beyond Babylon. Whatever an oppressor relies on most—the specific leverage they use, the particular advantage they exploit, the tool that makes them feel invincible—is exactly what God targets. He doesn't fight general battles. He breaks specific bows. The thing that makes your enemy dangerous is the thing God has His eye on.
The title "God of recompences" promises exact repayment. Not excessive. Not insufficient. Exact. What Babylon did to nations will be measured out to Babylon. If you've been on the receiving end of someone's 'bow'—their power weapon, their primary instrument of harm—this verse says God is tracking the account. He is the God of recompense. The bow will break. The account will settle. Surely.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts,.... Because what follows might seem incredible ever to be effected; it is introduced with…
Every one ... - Or, “Their bows are broken, for Yahweh is a God of recompenses; He will certainly requite.”
The particulars of this copious prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to so often…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture