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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 51:18 They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/51-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/24_Jer_51_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 51:18 - A Song of Praise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They are worthless, a work to be mocked. 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On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/51.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/51.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/51.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They <i>are</i> vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/51.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They <i>are</i> futile, a work of errors; In the time of their punishment they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/51.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work of mockery; At the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/51.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work of mockery; In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/51.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They are worthless, a work of mockery; In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/51.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They are vanity, a work of mockery; In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/51.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They are worthless (empty, false, futile), a work of delusion <i>and</i> worthy of derision; In the time of their inspection <i>and</i> punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/51.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work to be mocked. At the time of their punishment they will be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/51.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work to be mocked. At the time of their punishment they will be destroyed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/51.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/51.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Idols are merely a joke, and when the time is right, they will be destroyed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/51.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/51.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They can't breathe. They are worthless jokes. When they are punished, they will disappear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/51.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They are worthless and should be despised; they will be destroyed when the LORD comes to deal with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/51.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They're worthless, a work of mockery, and when the time of punishment comes, they'll perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/51.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/51.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They are worthless, objects to be ridiculed. When the time comes to punish them, they will be destroyed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/51.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/51.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/51.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation, they will perish. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/51.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They [are] vanity—a work of errors, "" They perish in the time of their inspection.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/51.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Vanity are they -- work of errors, In the time of their inspection they perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/51.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They are vanity, the work of delusions: in the time of reviewing they shall perish.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/51.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They are vain works, and worthy to be laughed at, in the time of their visitation they shall perish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/51.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They are empty works, deserving of ridicule. In the time of their visitation, they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/51.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They are nothing, a ridiculous work, that will perish at the time of punishment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/51.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/51.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They are worthless, the works of fools; in the time of punishment they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/51.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They are nothing and the works of fools. In the time that they are sentenced, they shall be destroyed<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/51.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They are vanity, a work of delusion; In the time of their visitation they shall perish,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/51.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They are vain works, objects of scorn; in the time of their visitation they shall perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=16016" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/51.htm">A Song of Praise</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">They</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: he·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">are worthless,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: ma·‘ă·śêh (N-msc) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">a work</a> <a href="/hebrew/8595.htm" title="8595: ta‘·tu·‘îm (N-mp) -- Mockery. From ta'a'; a fraud.">to be mocked.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: bə·‘êṯ (Prep-b:: N-csc) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">In the time</a> <a href="/hebrew/6486.htm" title="6486: pə·qud·dā·ṯām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Oversight, mustering, visitation, store. Feminine passive participle of paqad; visitation.">of their punishment</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: yō·ḇê·ḏū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">they will perish.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and of the tribe of His inheritance—the LORD of Hosts is His name.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a></span><br />All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-5.htm">Isaiah 46:5-7</a></span><br />To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Habakkuk 2:18-19</a></span><br />What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Deuteronomy 4:28</a></span><br />And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26-29</a></span><br />And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">2 Kings 19:18</a></span><br />They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8</a></span><br />Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Isaiah 41:29</a></span><br />See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-17.htm">Isaiah 42:17</a></span><br />But those who trust in idols and say to molten images, ‘You are our gods!’ will be turned back in utter shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-16.htm">Isaiah 45:16</a></span><br />They will all be put to shame and humiliated; the makers of idols will depart together in disgrace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Isaiah 45:20</a></span><br />Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Isaiah 46:1-2</a></span><br />Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. / The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4-6</a></span><br />They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. / He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.</p><p class="hdg">vanity</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8,15</a></b></br> But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock <i>is</i> a doctrine of vanities… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8</a></b></br> They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15</a></b></br> And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:</p><p class="hdg">in the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Jeremiah 43:12,13</a></b></br> And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/46-25.htm">Jeremiah 46:25</a></b></br> The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and <i>all</i> them that trust in him:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/48-7.htm">Jeremiah 48:7</a></b></br> For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity <i>with</i> his priests and his princes together.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/10-15.htm">Delusion</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-8.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-15.htm">Error</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-15.htm">Errors</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-31.htm">Inspection</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-9.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-15.htm">Mockery</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-15.htm">Objects</a> <a href="/jeremiah/42-16.htm">Overtake</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-36.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-9.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-16.htm">Time</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-27.htm">Visitation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-10.htm">Work</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-15.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/lamentations/2-14.htm">Delusion</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-25.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Error</a> <a href="/hosea/14-4.htm">Errors</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-11.htm">Inspection</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-44.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Mockery</a> <a href="/matthew/10-22.htm">Objects</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-8.htm">Overtake</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-44.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-33.htm">Time</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-58.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Visitation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-16.htm">Work</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-14.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 51</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/51-1.htm">The severe judgment of God against Babylon, in revenge of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">59. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/51-59.htm">Jeremiah delivers the book of this prophecy to Seraiah, to be cast into Euphrates, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">64. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/51-64.htm">in token of the perpetual sinking of Babylon</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/51.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/51.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They are worthless</b><br>This phrase refers to the idols and false gods worshiped by the Babylonians. In the context of <a href="/jeremiah/51.htm">Jeremiah 51</a>, God is pronouncing judgment on Babylon, a nation known for its idolatry. The Hebrew word for "worthless" can also mean "vanity" or "emptiness," emphasizing the futility of worshiping anything other than the one true God. This echoes the theme found in <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>, where idols are described as nothing and those who worship them are deluded. The worthlessness of idols is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, highlighting the contrast between the living God and lifeless images.<p><b>a work to be mocked</b><br>Idols are described as the work of human hands, crafted by artisans but lacking any divine power or life. This phrase suggests that such creations are deserving of ridicule because they cannot save or help their worshipers. The mocking of idols is a common biblical motif, as seen in passages like <a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">1 Kings 18:27</a>, where Elijah mocks the prophets of Baal. The futility of idol worship is underscored by the fact that these objects are mere human creations, incapable of responding to prayer or providing guidance.<p><b>In the time of their punishment</b><br>This refers to the impending judgment that God will bring upon Babylon. The "time of their punishment" is a prophetic declaration of Babylon's downfall, which is a central theme in <a href="/jeremiah/50.htm">Jeremiah 50-51</a>. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon in 539 BC. The phrase indicates that there is an appointed time for divine retribution, aligning with the biblical principle that God is just and will not allow wickedness to go unpunished indefinitely.<p><b>they will perish</b><br>The ultimate fate of the idols and those who trust in them is destruction. This phrase underscores the transient nature of both idols and the empires that rely on them. In a broader theological context, it serves as a warning that anything set against God will ultimately fail. This is consistent with the biblical narrative that emphasizes the sovereignty of God over all nations and the futility of opposing His will. The perishing of idols also points to the eschatological hope found in <a href="/revelation/18.htm">Revelation 18</a>, where Babylon is symbolically destroyed, representing the final defeat of all that stands against God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah is known for his prophecies concerning the judgment of God upon Judah and other nations, including Babylon.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>A powerful empire during Jeremiah's time, Babylon is often depicted as a symbol of human pride and idolatry. Jeremiah prophesied its eventual downfall.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a></b><br>The "they" in this verse refers to idols, which are man-made objects of worship that are powerless and futile.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a></b><br>The context of this verse is God's impending judgment on Babylon and its idols, emphasizing the futility of trusting in anything other than the true God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exile.htm">The Exile</a></b><br>The Babylonian Exile was a significant event where the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, which serves as a backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecies.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idols, whether physical or metaphorical, are ultimately worthless and cannot provide salvation or true fulfillment. Believers are called to place their trust in God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>God's judgment is certain and just. The downfall of Babylon serves as a reminder that no power or idol can stand against God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mockery_of_false_beliefs.htm">Mockery of False Beliefs</a></b><br>The verse highlights that false beliefs and practices are not only futile but also worthy of mockery. Christians are encouraged to discern truth from falsehood.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporal_nature_of_earthly_powers.htm">The Temporal Nature of Earthly Powers</a></b><br>Earthly powers and empires, like Babylon, are temporary. Believers should focus on the eternal kingdom of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_turning_to_god.htm">Repentance and Turning to God</a></b><br>The impending punishment of idols serves as a call to repentance, urging individuals to turn away from false gods and towards the living God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_51.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 51</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_idols_in_jeremiah_10_conflict_with_other_texts.htm">Jeremiah 10:14-15: Does the portrayal of idols as complete falsehood conflict with other biblical texts that acknowledge spiritual powers behind foreign gods?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_babylon_if_god_used_it.htm">Jeremiah 51:7 calls Babylon a 'golden cup' in God's hand; if God used Babylon, why should the nation be punished?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_zephaniah_1_18_align_with_god's_mercy.htm">How does Zephaniah 1:18's claim that wealth can't save on the 'day of the Lord' align with biblical texts showing God's mercy and willingness to relent from punishment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_rev_18_21's_millstone_symbolic_or_historical.htm">Revelation 18:21 - Does the dramatic millstone imagery have any historical or archaeological basis, or is it purely symbolic?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֔מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are worthless,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶ֣בֶל</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a work</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ma·‘ă·śêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4639.htm">Strong's 4639: </a> </span><span class="str2">An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be mocked.</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּעְתֻּעִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ta‘·tu·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8595.htm">Strong's 8595: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fraud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">In the time</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֵ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of their punishment</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּקֻדָּתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(pə·qud·dā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6486.htm">Strong's 6486: </a> </span><span class="str2">Oversight, mustering, visitation, store</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will perish.</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹאבֵֽדוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ḇê·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wander away, lose oneself, to perish</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/51-18.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 51:18 They are vanity a work of delusion: (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/51-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 51:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 51:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/51-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 51:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 51:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>