Yeremia 51:55

51:55 For the Lord is ready to destroy Babylon,

and put an end to her loud noise.

Their waves ¹  will roar like turbulent ²  waters.

They will make a deafening noise. ³ 

Yeremia 51:58

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 

[51:55]  ¹ tn The antecedent of the third masculine plural pronominal suffix is not entirely clear. It probably refers back to the “destroyers” mentioned in v. 53 as the agents of God’s judgment on Babylon.

[51:55]  ² tn Or “mighty waters.”

[51:55]  ³ tn Heb “and the noise of their sound will be given,”

[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.”