What Does Jeremiah 51:36 Mean in the King James?

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.

Jeremiah 51:36 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

In Hebrew, God “contends your contention” and “avenges your vengeance”: the one who takes your case also dismantles the power behind it.

THE MEANING

The LORD takes up your cause and declares vengeance for you; the sea and springs sustaining the opposing power are dried up. The answer is forceful: what stands against you is not only challenged, but stripped of its source.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that your cause must go unanswered because the power against you is too strong for anyone to confront.

THE ROOT

רָב

rāv

GROWS FROM

ריב

r-y-b

To contend, dispute, or bring a case.

“plead thy cause” in this verse is rāv. English separates “plead” from “cause,” but Hebrew uses the same root for both: the LORD contends your contention. The wording places God inside the dispute, actively taking up the case.

ALSO GROWS

rîb: Case, contention, dispute.

רִיב

The noun names the very case the LORD takes up in the verse.

merivah: Strife, quarrel, controversy.

מְרִיבָה

The same root can name an active conflict, showing that the LORD enters the contention itself.

וְנִקַּמְתִּי אֶת־נִקְמָתֵךְ

wəniqqamtî et niqmāṯēḵ

GROWS FROM

נקם

n-q-m

To avenge or exact retribution.

“take vengeance” in this verse is wəniqqamtî et niqmāṯēḵ. The verb is paired with a noun from the same root: more literally, “I will avenge your vengeance.” The repeated root gives the promise an active, personal force.

ALSO GROWS

nāqam: To avenge, take retribution.

נָקַם

This verbal branch is the action promised in the verse.

neqāmāh: Vengeance, retribution.

נְקָמָה

This noun is the object of the matching verb, binding the promised action to the wrong being answered.

THE PATTERN

When a force holds people under its power, the LORD takes up their cause and confronts that power.

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:14 · KJVThe LORD takes the side of those facing a power they cannot overcome themselves.

But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

Isaiah 49:25 · KJVThe LORD directly contends with the one who contends against you and brings captives out of the mighty one’s grasp.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 12:19 · KJVVengeance is assigned to the LORD, who answers the wrong rather than leaving it unaddressed.

THE THREAD

For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Proverbs 22:23 · KJV

Proverbs uses the same Hebrew root, ⁨ריב⁩ (r-y-b), for the LORD pleading their cause. The shared root makes the connection direct: here too, the LORD enters the contested case and answers those who prey on others.

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