The poem in Jeremiah 51:20–26 is carefully crafted. In the first part (Jeremiah 51:20–23) Babylon is once again describe as the Lord’s hammer (Jeremiah 50:23). The phrase, with you I break
is repeated nine times, emphasizing just how devastating and comprehensive the Lord’s actions have been as he used Babylon to carry out his judgment on Judah and the nations.1 No part of society escaped; all felt the Lord’s anger, men and women, young and old, rich and poor, soldier, civilian, leaders and citizens. With Babylon the Lord destroys kingdoms.
20 “You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms;