Jeremiah 51:37

“And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.”

This verse is part of the prophecy against Babylon found in Jeremiah 50-51. Babylon was a powerful empire in the ancient Near East, and it was known for its grandeur and strength. However, because of its wickedness and pride, God pronounced judgment against Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 51:37 describes the future fate of Babylon. It says that Babylon will become heaps or ruins, symbolizing its complete destruction. The once mighty city will be reduced to a desolate wasteland. Instead of being a vibrant metropolis, it will become a dwelling place for dragons. In biblical symbolism, dragons often represent chaos, destruction, and desolation. This imagery emphasizes the utter devastation that will befall Babylon.

Furthermore, Babylon will become an astonishment and a hissing. This means that people who witness the ruins of Babylon will be shocked and amazed by its downfall. It will be a subject of scorn and ridicule, with people hissing in derision at its former glory. The verse concludes by stating that Babylon will be without an inhabitant, signifying that no one will reside there anymore. The once bustling city will be completely deserted.

This prophecy against Babylon was fulfilled historically. In 539 BC, the Persian Empire, under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, conquered Babylon and brought about its downfall. The city was sacked and its grand structures were destroyed. Babylon gradually declined over the centuries until it became an uninhabited ruin.