Jeremiah 51

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the sacred God who covenanted with Israel

For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 51:5

Though Israel sinned against the Holy One of Israel, He has not forsaken them. The Holy One of Israel is Jesus Christ, whose covenant love outlasts His people's sins.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Jeremiah 50:29 — Same title.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 9:41 — The Holy One of Israel is the keeper of the gate.

Jehovah

The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God. Jeremiah 51:10

The redeemed confess that their righteousness comes from the LORD, not themselves. It echoes Jeremiah's messianic name for the Branch, 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'

• alludes to Jeremiah 23:5-6 — The righteous Branch called 'THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'

Creation by Christ

Former of all things — Creator

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. Jeremiah 51:15–19

Unlike lifeless idols, the LORD of hosts formed the earth and heavens and chose Israel as His own. Latter-day scripture teaches that Jesus Christ, as Jehovah, created the earth under the Father.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Jeremiah 10:12-16 — The same creation-versus-idols passage, nearly word for word.
• interpreted by Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ is 'the Creator of all things from the beginning.'
• interpreted by John 1:3 — All things were made by the Word.

Chief Cornerstone

And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 51:26

Proud Babylon, the 'destroying mountain', will never yield a cornerstone or foundation. The contrast points to the one sure cornerstone God lays in Zion, Jesus Christ.

• alludes to Isaiah 28:16 — 'I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone... a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.'

Advocate

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

Jehovah answers Zion's cry (vv. 34-35) by promising to plead her cause. Latter-day Saints recognize the Savior as the Advocate who pleads the cause of His people.

• alluded to by D&C 45:3 — Christ, 'who is pleading your cause before' the Father.

Second Coming

My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD. Jeremiah 51:45

Jehovah calls His people to flee Babylon before judgment (see also v. 6). The Lord repeats this call in latter-day scripture as preparation for His Second Coming.

• alluded to by Revelation 18:4 — 'Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins.'
• alluded to by D&C 133:14 — 'Go ye out from Babylon,' in preparation for the Bridegroom's coming.

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Jehovah, commander of the armies of heaven

And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts. Jeremiah 51:57

The kings of Babylon fall asleep forever, but Jehovah remains the King. The premortal Christ is King over the greatest empire of the earth.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Jeremiah 46:18 — Same title over Egypt.
• the same title in Jeremiah 48:15 — Same title over Moab.