Jeremiah 51:12
New International Version
Lift up a banner against the walls of Babylon! Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The LORD will carry out his purpose, his decree against the people of Babylon.

New Living Translation
Raise the battle flag against Babylon! Reinforce the guard and station the watchmen. Prepare an ambush, for the LORD will fulfill all his plans against Babylon.

English Standard Version
“Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon; make the watch strong; set up watchmen; prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both planned and done what he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Berean Standard Bible
Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.

King James Bible
Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.

New King James Version
Set up the standard on the walls of Babylon; Make the guard strong, Set up the watchmen, Prepare the ambushes. For the LORD has both devised and done What He spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.

New American Standard Bible
Lift up a signal flag against the walls of Babylon; Post a strong guard, Station sentries, Set up an ambush! For the LORD has both planned and performed What He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

NASB 1995
Lift up a signal against the walls of Babylon; Post a strong guard, Station sentries, Place men in ambush! For the LORD has both purposed and performed What He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

NASB 1977
Lift up a signal against the walls of Babylon; Post a strong guard, Station sentries, Place men in ambush! For the LORD has both purposed and performed What He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Legacy Standard Bible
Lift up a standard against the walls of Babylon; Make strong the watch; Raise up watchmen; Establish men in ambush! For Yahweh has both purposed and performed What He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Amplified Bible
Set up a signal on the walls of Babylon [to spread the news]; Post a strong blockade, Station the guards, Prepare the men for ambush! For the LORD has both purposed and done That which He spoke against the people of Babylon.

Christian Standard Bible
Raise up a signal flag against the walls of Babylon; fortify the watch post; set the watchmen in place; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both planned and accomplished what he has threatened against those who live in Babylon.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Raise up a signal flag against the walls of Babylon; fortify the watch post; set the watchmen in place; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both planned and accomplished what He has threatened against those who live in Babylon.

American Standard Version
Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; for Jehovah hath both purposed and done that which he spake concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
On the walls of Babel take up a flag. Set up a Guard and drown her in waters, because LORD JEHOVAH did the thing which he counseled for Babel

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Lift up a standard on the walls of Babylon, prepare the quivers, rouse the guards, prepare the weapons: for the Lord has taken the work in hand, and will execute what he has spoken against the inhabitants of Babylon,

Contemporary English Version
Raise the signal flag and attack the city walls. Post more guards. Have soldiers watch the city and set up ambushes. I have made plans to destroy Babylon, and nothing will stop me.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Upon the walls of Babylon set up the standard, strengthen the watch: set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the Lord hath both purposed, and done all that he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.

English Revised Version
Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Raise your battle flag in front of the walls of Babylon. Strengthen the guards. Station watchmen. Prepare ambushes. The LORD will carry out his plans against the people who live in Babylon.

Good News Translation
Give the signal to attack Babylon's walls. Strengthen the guard! Post the sentries! Place troops in ambush!" The LORD has done what he said he would do to the people of Babylonia.

International Standard Version
Lift up the battle standard against Babylon's walls. Strengthen the guard; post watchmen. Set men in position for an ambush. For the LORD will both plan and carry out what he has declared against the inhabitants of Babylon.

JPS Tanakh 1917
Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, Make the watch strong, Set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; For the LORD hath both devised and done That which He spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Literal Standard Version
Lift up an ensign to the walls of Babylon, | Strengthen the watch, | Establish the watchers, prepare the ambush, | For YHWH has both devised and done that which He spoke, | Concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Majority Standard Bible
Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.

New American Bible
Over the walls of Babylon raise a signal, reinforce the watch; Post sentries, arrange ambushes! For the LORD has both planned and carried out what he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.

NET Bible
Give the signal to attack Babylon's wall! Bring more guards! Post them all around the city! Put men in ambush! For the LORD will do what he has planned. He will do what he said he would do to the people of Babylon.

New Revised Standard Version
Raise a standard against the walls of Babylon; make the watch strong; post sentinels; prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both planned and done what he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

New Heart English Bible
Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both purposed and done that which he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Webster's Bible Translation
Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.

World English Bible
Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon! Make the watch strong! Set the watchmen, and prepare the ambushes; for Yahweh has both purposed and done that which he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Young's Literal Translation
Unto the walls of Babylon lift up an ensign, Strengthen the watch, Establish the watchers, prepare the ambush, For Jehovah hath both devised and done that which He spake, Concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on Babylon
11Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD—vengeance for His temple. 12Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon. 13You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut.…

Cross References
Isaiah 13:2
Raise a banner on a barren hilltop; call aloud to them. Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.

Jeremiah 4:28
Therefore the earth will mourn and the heavens above will grow dark. I have spoken, I have planned, and I will not relent or turn back."

Jeremiah 23:20
The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this clearly.

Jeremiah 50:2
"Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, 'Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.'

Jeremiah 50:25
The LORD has opened His armory and brought out His weapons of wrath, for this is the work of the Lord GOD of Hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 51:27
"Raise a banner in the land! Blow the ram's horn among the nations! Prepare the nations against her. Summon the kingdoms against her--Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a captain against her; bring up horses like swarming locusts.

Jeremiah 51:29
The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD's intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.


Treasury of Scripture

Set up the standard on the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD has both devised and done that which he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.

the standard

Jeremiah 46:3-5
Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle…

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Isaiah 8:9,10
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces…

ambushes [heb] liers in wait

Joshua 8:14
And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.

the Lord hath both

Jeremiah 51:11,29
Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple…

Lamentations 2:17
The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

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Ambush Ambushes Babylon Devised Guard Inhabitants Lift Performed Post Prepare Purposed Sentries Signal Standard Station Strong Walls Watch Watchmen
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Ambush Ambushes Babylon Devised Guard Inhabitants Lift Performed Post Prepare Purposed Sentries Signal Standard Station Strong Walls Watch Watchmen
Jeremiah 51
1. The severe judgment of God against Babylon, in revenge of Israel
59. Jeremiah delivers the book of this prophecy to Seraiah, to be cast into Euphrates,
64. in token of the perpetual sinking of Babylon














(12) Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon.--The Authorised version, following the LXX. and the Vulgate, takes the words as an ironical summons to a defence which will prove fruitless. The preposition for "upon" may, however, mean against, and this agrees better with the context. The "standards" are the banners or signals that direct an attack on a given point of the walls. The "watch" and "watchmen" are the scouts and sentinels placed to give notice of any attempt at a sally on the part of the besieged. The "ambush" may indicate generally any sudden attack, or, more specifically, the stratagem of a feigned flight, like that employed by Joshua in the attack on Ai (Joshua 8:14-16; comp. Judges 20:33-35).

Verse 12. - Upon the walls of Babylon; rather, toward the walls (as Jeremiah 4:6). The "standard" was carried before the army, to show the direction of the march. Make the watch strong. Not merely for the safety of the invaders, but to blockade the city. Comp. the phrase, "Watchers [a synonymous Hebrew word is used] came from a far country" (Jeremiah 4:16); i.e. besiegers. Prepare the ambushes. To press into the city when the besieged have made a sally (as Joshua 8:14-19; Judges 20:33, 37).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Raise
שְׂאוּ־ (śə·’ū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

a banner
נֵ֗ס (nês)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5251: A flag, a sail, a flagstaff, a signal, a token

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the walls
חוֹמֹ֨ת (ḥō·w·mōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

of Babylon;
בָּבֶ֜ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

post
הַחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙ (ha·ḥă·zî·qū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

the guard;
הַמִּשְׁמָ֔ר (ham·miš·mār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4929: Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance

station
הָקִ֙ימוּ֙ (hā·qî·mū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

the watchmen;
שֹֽׁמְרִ֔ים (šō·mə·rîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

prepare
הָכִ֖ינוּ (hā·ḵî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3559: To be erect

the ambush.
הָאֹֽרְבִ֑ים (hā·’ō·rə·ḇîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 693: To lie in wait

For
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has both
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

devised
זָמַ֣ם (zā·mam)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2161: To consider, purpose, devise

and
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

accomplished
עָשָׂ֕ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

what
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He spoke
דִּבֶּ֖ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the people
יֹשְׁבֵ֥י (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of Babylon.
בָבֶֽל׃ (ḇā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 51:12 Set up a standard against the walls (Jer.)
Jeremiah 51:11
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