Jeremiah 50:7

All that found them haue deuoured them, and their aduersaries said, We offend not, because they haue sinned against the Lord, the habitation of iustice, euen the Lord, the hope of their fathers. Jeremiah 50:7 (KJV)

This verse belongs to the prophetic oracle of Jeremiah concerning the judgment and downfall of Babylon. In Jeremiah’s day the Babylonian Empire dominated the region, having conquered the kingdom of Judah and taken many Israelites into captivity. Babylon, together with other surrounding nations, stood as an adversary to Israel.

Divine judgment is introduced with the stark declaration, “All that found them have devoured them.” The language conveys the ruthless treatment that the inhabitants of Babylon endured at the hands of their enemies, who seized upon their vulnerability and inflicted severe suffering.

The adversaries then claim, “We have not offended, because they have sinned against the LORD.” This statement reflects their self‑justification, portraying the suffering of Babylon as a rightful consequence of its sins against God. By invoking divine judgment, they distance themselves from moral responsibility for the devastation they bring.

The phrase “the habitation of justice” identifies the LORD as the ultimate source of righteousness and judgment. It underscores that true justice resides with God, who observes the hearts of all peoples and dispenses recompense according to divine standards.

Finally, the verse calls the LORD “the hope of their fathers.” This title recalls the faith and trust that the ancestors placed in God throughout history. Even amid present distress, the people are reminded to cling to the hope embodied in the LORD, whose faithfulness to the forefathers remains a foundation for confidence and restoration.