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Sunday, September 14th, 2025
the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
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Myles Coverdale Bible

Jeremiah 50:21

Go downe (o thou avenger) in to the enemies londe, & viset them that dwell therin: downe with them, and smyte them vpon the backes, saieth the LORDE: do acordinge to all, that I haue commaunded the.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Babylon;   Merathaim;   Pekod;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Babylon;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Babylon;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Devote, Devoted;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Babylon, Kingdom of;   Merathaim;   Pekod;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Koa;   Merathaim, the Land of;   Pekod;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Jeremiah;   Merathaim;   Pekod;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Euphrates;   Greek Versions of Ot;   Lance, Lancet;   Merathaim;   Pekod;   Persia, Persians;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Merathaim ;   Pekod ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Rebels;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Meratha'im;   Pe'kod;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Merathaim;   Pekod;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Babylonia;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Attack the land of Merathaim,and those living in Pekod.Put them to the sword;completely destroy them—
Hebrew Names Version
Go up against the land of Meratayim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: kill and utterly destroy after them, says the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded you.
King James Version
Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the Lord , and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
English Standard Version
"Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill, and devote them to destruction, declares the Lord , and do all that I have commanded you.
New American Standard Bible
"Against the land of Merathaim, go up against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill and completely destroy them," declares the LORD, "And do according to everything that I have commanded you.
New Century Version
"Attack the land of Merathaim. Attack the people who live in Pekod. Chase them, kill them, and completely destroy them. Do everything I commanded you!" says the Lord .
Amplified Bible
"Go against [Babylon] the land of Merathaim (Double Rebellion), Go up against it and against the people of Pekod (Punishment). Kill and utterly destroy them," says the LORD, "And do everything that I have commanded you."
World English Bible
Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: kill and utterly destroy after them, says Yahweh, and do according to all that I have commanded you.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Goe vp against the lande of the rebelles, euen against it, and against the inhabitantes of Pekod: destroy, and lay it waste after them, saieth the Lorde, and doe according to all that I haue commaunded thee.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Against the land of Merathaim, go up against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Slay and utterly destroy them," declares the LORD, "And do according to all that I have commanded you.
Legacy Standard Bible
"Against the land of Merathaim, go up against it,And against the inhabitants of Pekod.Put them to the sword and devote them to destruction," declares Yahweh,"And do according to all that I have commanded you.
Berean Standard Bible
"Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Put them to the sword and devote them to destruction," declares the LORD. "Do everything I have commanded you.
Contemporary English Version
The Lord said: I have told the enemies of Babylonia, "Attack the people of Merathaim and Pekod. Kill them all! Destroy their possessions!"
Complete Jewish Bible
"Attack the land of Meratayim; attack it and those living in P'kod. Waste them, utterly destroy them; do all I have ordered you," says Adonai .
Darby Translation
Go up against the land of double rebellion, against it, and against the inhabitants of visitation; waste and utterly destroy after them, saith Jehovah, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Lord says, "Attack the country of Merathaim! Attack the people living in Pekod! Attack them! Kill them and destroy them completely! Do everything I commanded you!
George Lamsa Translation
Go up against the rebellious land, go up against it, and against its inhabitants; unsheath the sword and destroy them, says the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded you.
Good News Translation
The Lord says, "Attack the people of Merathaim and of Pekod. Kill and destroy them. Do everything I command you. I, the Lord , have spoken.
Lexham English Bible
To the land of Merathaim, go up against her, and against the inhabitants of Pekod, massacre and destroy them," declares Yahweh, "and do according to all that I have commanded you.
Literal Translation
Go up against the land of Merathaim, against it and against the dwellers of Pekod. Waste and destroy after them, says Jehovah, and do according to all that I have commanded you.
American Standard Version
Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: slay and utterly destroy after them, saith Jehovah, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
Bible in Basic English
Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the people of Pekod; put them to death and send destruction after them, says the Lord, and do everything I have given you orders to do.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod; waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
King James Version (1611)
Goe vp against the land of Merathaim, euen against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and vtterly destroy after them, sayeth the Lord, and doe according to all that I haue commanded thee.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Go downe [O thou auenger] into the enemies lande, and visite them that dwell therin: downe with them, & smite them vpon the backes saith the Lorde, do accordyng to all that I haue commaunded thee.
English Revised Version
Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: slay and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Stie thou on the lond of lordis, and visite thou on the dwelleris therof; scatere thou, and sle tho thingis, that ben aftir hem, seith the Lord; and do thou bi alle thingis which Y comaundide to thee.
Update Bible Version
Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: slay and completely destroy after them, says Yahweh, and do according to all that I have commanded you.
Webster's Bible Translation
Go up against the land of Merathaim, [even] against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
New English Translation
The Lord says, "Attack the land of Merathaim and the people who live in Pekod! Pursue, kill, and completely destroy them! Do just as I have commanded you!
New King James Version
"Go up against the land of Merathaim, against it, And against the inhabitants of Pekod. Waste and utterly destroy them," says the LORD, "And do according to all that I have commanded you.
New Living Translation
"Go up, my warriors, against the land of Merathaim and against the people of Pekod. Pursue, kill, and completely destroy them, as I have commanded you," says the Lord .
New Life Bible
"Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the people of Pekod. Kill and destroy all of them," says the Lord, "and do all that I have told you.
New Revised Standard
Go up to the land of Merathaim; go up against her, and attack the inhabitants of Pekod and utterly destroy the last of them, says the Lord ; do all that I have commanded you.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Against the land of Merathaim, go thou up against her, And against the inhabitants of Pekod, - Lay waste and devote to destruction after them Declareth Yahweh, And do according to all which I have commanded thee.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Go up against the land of the rulers, and punish the inhabitants thereof, waste, and destroy all behind them, saith the Lord: and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
Revised Standard Version
"Go up against the land of Meratha'im, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Slay, and utterly destroy after them, says the LORD, and do all that I have commanded you.
Young's Literal Translation
Against the land of Merathaim: Go up against it, and unto the inhabitants of Pekod, Waste and devote their posterity, An affirmation of Jehovah, And do according to all that I have commanded thee.
THE MESSAGE
"Attack Merathaim, land of rebels! Go after Pekod, country of doom! Hunt them down. Make a clean sweep." God 's Decree. "These are my orders. Do what I tell you.

Contextual Overview

21 Go downe (o thou avenger) in to the enemies londe, & viset them that dwell therin: downe with them, and smyte them vpon the backes, saieth the LORDE: do acordinge to all, that I haue commaunded the. 22 There is gone aboute the londe a crie of a slaughter & greate murthur, namely on this maner: 23 How happeneth it, that the hammer of the whole worlde is thus broken & brussed in sonder? How chaunceth it, that Babilon is become a wildernes amonge the Heithen on this maner? 24 I myself haue layed wayte for the, & thou art taken: vnawarres art thou trapped & snared: for why, thou hast prouoked ye LORDE vnto anger: 25 The LORDE hath opened his house of ordinaunce, & brought forth the weapens of his wrath. For the thinge that is done in the londe of the Caldees, it is the LORDE of hoostes worke. 26 These thinges shal come vpon her at the last, they shal breake in to hir preuy chabres, they shall leaue her as bare as stones, that be layed together vpon heapes. They shall so destroye her, yt nothinge shal be left. 27 They shal slaye all hir mightie souldyers, and put them to death. Wo be vnto the, for the daye & tyme of their visitacion is at honde. 28 Me thinke I heare already a crie, of them that be fled & escaped out of the londe of Babilon, which shewe in Sion the vengeaunce of the LORDE oure God, the vengeaunce of his temple: Yee a voyce of them, that crie agaynst Babilon: 29 Call vp all the archers agaynst Babilon, pytch youre tentes rounde aboute her, that none escape. Recompence her, as she hath deserued: and acordinge as she hath done, so deale with her agayne: for she hath set vp her self agaynst the LORDE, agaynst ye holy one of Israel. 30 Therfore shal hir yonge men fall downe in the stretes, & all hir men of warre shal be roted out in yt daye, saieth the LORDE.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

up: Jeremiah 50:3, Jeremiah 50:9, Jeremiah 50:15

Merathaim: or, the rebels

Pekod: or, visitation, Ezekiel 23:23

and do: Jeremiah 34:22, Jeremiah 48:10, Numbers 31:14-18, 1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 15:11-24, 2 Samuel 16:11, 2 Kings 18:25, 2 Chronicles 36:23, Isaiah 10:6, Isaiah 44:28, Isaiah 48:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:10 - And the Isaiah 13:3 - commanded Isaiah 13:4 - noise Isaiah 13:20 - General Jeremiah 51:1 - I will Jeremiah 51:3 - destroy Jeremiah 51:53 - from Daniel 7:5 - Arise Habakkuk 2:7 - they

Cross-References

Genesis 34:3
and his hert hanged vpon her, and he loued ye damsell, and talked louyngly with her,
Genesis 47:12
And he made prouysion for his father and his brethren, and all his fathers house with bred, euen as yonge children.
Genesis 50:10
Now whan these came to the playne of Atad yt lyeth beyonde Iordane, they made there a very greate and bytter lamentacion, & he mourned for his father seue dayes.
Genesis 50:11
And wha the people in the lande (the Cananites) sawe the mournynge in the playne of Atad, they sayde: The Egipcias make there greate lametacion. Therfore is the place called: The lamentacion of the Egipcians, which lyeth beyonde Iordane.
Genesis 50:20
Ye thought euell ouer me, but God hath turned it vnto good, to do as it is come to passe this daye, for the sauynge of moch people.
Genesis 50:21
Therfore be not ye now afrayed, I wyl care for you and youre children. And he comforted them, and spake louyngly vnto them.
Isaiah 40:2
Conforte Ierusalem, and tell her: that hir trauale is at an ende, that hir offence is pardoned, that she hath receaued of the LORDES honde sufficient correction for all hir synnes.
Matthew 5:44
But I saye vnto you: loue youre enemies: Blesse the that cursse you: Do good to the that hate you: Praye for the which do you wronge and persecute you,
Matthew 6:14
For yf ye forgeue other men their treaspases, youre heauenly father shall also forgeue you.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Se that none recompence euell for euell vnto eny man: but euer folowe that which is good, both amoge youre selues and to all men.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Go up against the land of Merathaim,.... Thought to be the country of the Mardi, which lay part of it in Assyria, and part of it in Armenia; expressed in the dual number, because one part of it lay on one side the Tigris, and the other on the other side. Cyrus, with his army of Medes and Persians, is here called upon; who, according to Herodotus, passed through Assyria to Babylon: and so it may be agreeably rendered, "go by the land of Merathaim"; or the country of the Mardi. Many interpreters take it for an appellative, and not the proper name of a country. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the land of rulers"; and the Targum,

"the land of the rebellious people;''

and so Kimchi w: and to the same sense Jarchi, the land

"that hath exasperated me, and provoked me to anger;''

meaning the land of the Chaldeans, which had ruled over others, rebelled against the Lord, and provoked him to wrath against it. The word, being in the dual number, may, in the mystical sense, respect the two antichrists, the eastern and western, that have ruled over the nations, and rebelled against God, and provoked him; the Turks and Papists, those two rebels, the beast and false prophet, Revelation 19:20; against whom the Christian princes will be bid to go up;

[even] against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod; the name of a place in Assyria; see Ezekiel 23:23; by which also Cyrus might go up to Babylon, so Jarchi; and the Targum takes it to be the name of a place: but Kimchi and others take it to be an appellative; and so it may be rendered, "the inhabitants of visitation" x; because the time was come to visit and punish them for their sins; and may particularly design the inhabitants of Babylon, the city to be visited for its iniquities; and especially mystical Babylon, which shall come up in remembrance before God, Revelation 16:19;

waste and utterly destroy after them, saith the Lord; either after the destruction of the places before mentioned; or pursue after those that flee and make their escape from thence, and destroy them; or rather their posterity, the remnant of them, as the Targum:

and do according to all that I have commanded thee; either Cyrus, according to all the Lord commanded him by the Prophet Isaiah, as Jarchi; or the seven angels, that are to pour out the vials of wrath on antichrist; the kings of the earth, who are to fulfil the will of God upon the man of sin, Revelation 16:1.

w על הארץ מרתים "contra terram rebellantium", Pagninus; "super", Montanus; "contra terram rebellionum", Schmidt. x יושבי פקוד "habitatores visitationis", Vatablus, Calvin, De Dieu.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The land of Merathaim - of double rebellion. Like Mitsraim, i. e., the two Egypts, Aram-Naharaim, i. e., Syria of the two rivers, or Mesopotamia, it is a dual. It may have been a real name; or - the dual ending being intensive - it may mean the land of very great rebelliousness.

Pekod - Possibly a Babylonian town.

Waste - Rather, slay, Jeremiah 50:27.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 50:21. Go up against the land of Merathaim - and against the inhabitants of Pekod — No such places as these are to be found any where else; and it is not likely that places are at all meant. The ancient Versions agree in rendering the first as an appellative, and the last as a verb, except the Chaldee, which has Pekod as a proper name. Dr. Blayney translates: -

"Against the land of bitternesses, go up:

Upon it, and upon its inhabitants, visit, O sword!"

Dr. Dahler renders thus: -

"March against the country doubly rebellious,

And against its inhabitants worthy of punishment."


The latter of these two versions I take to be the most literal. The words are addressed to the Medes and Persians; and the country is Chaldea, doubly rebellious by its idolatry and its insufferable pride. In these two, it was exceeded by no other land.


 
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