Jeremiah 49 contains divine judgments against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. The LORD condemns their pride and false security, foretelling desolation, war, and captivity for these nations. While many face severe destruction, God also promises a future restoration for Ammon and Elam in the latter days.
Of the children of Ammon. Thus says the LORD: Has Israel no sons? has he no heir? why then does Malcam possess Gad, and his people well in its cities?
Therefore behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard against Rabbah of the children of Ammon; and it shall become a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel possess those who possessed him, says the LORD.
Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste; cry, you daughters of Rabbah, clothe yourself in sackcloth: lament, and run back and forth among the fences; for Malcam shall go into captivity, his priests and his princes together.
Behold, I will bring a fear on you, says the Lord, the LORD of Hosts, from all who are around you; and you shall be driven out every man right out, and there shall be no one to gather together the fugitives.
But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is destroyed, and his brothers, and his neighbors; and he is no more.
For thus says the LORD: Behold, they to whom it didn’t pertain to drink of the cup shall certainly drink; and are you he who shall altogether go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you shall surely drink.
For I have sworn by myself, says the LORD, that Bozrah shall become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all its cities shall be perpetual wastes.
I have heard news from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the nations, saying, Gather yourselves together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
As for your terror, the pride of your heart has deceived you, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill: though you should make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there, says the LORD.
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities of it, says the LORD, no man shall dwell there, neither shall any son of man live therein.
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong habitation: for I will suddenly make them run away from it; and whoever is chosen, him will I appoint over it: for who is like me? and who will appoint me a time? and who is the shepherd who will stand before me?
Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he has taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he has purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely they shall drag them away, the little ones of the flock; surely he shall make their habitation desolate over them.
Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread out his wings against Bozrah: and the heart of the mighty men of Edom at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
Damascus has grown feeble, she turns herself to flee, and trembling has seized on her: anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her, as of a woman in travail.
Of Kedar, and of the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck. Thus says the LORD: Arise, go up to Kedar, and destroy the children of the east.
Their tents and their flocks shall they take; they shall carry away for themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry to them, Terror on every side!
Flee, wander far off, dwell in the depths, you inhabitants of Hazor, says the LORD; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has taken counsel against you, and has conceived a purpose against you.
Their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their livestock a plunder: and I will scatter to all winds those who have the corners of their beards cut off; and I will bring their calamity from every side of them, says the LORD.
On Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of the sky, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation where the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before those who seek their life; and I will bring evil on them, even my fierce anger, says the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them;
But it shall happen in the latter days, that I will bring back the captivity of Elam, says the LORD.
Study Notes for Jeremiah 49
Verse 1
Ammon had taken advantage of Israel’s weakness following the Assyrian invasions, seizing territory belonging to the tribe of Gad. The rhetorical questions challenge Ammon’s legal and divine right to occupy this land.
Verse 2
Rabbah was the capital city of Ammon (modern Amman, Jordan). The judgment ensures that the land stolen from Israel will eventually be restored to its rightful heirs.
Verse 3
The Ammonite god, Molech, is referred to here by the derogatory title 'their king' (Hebrew: Malcam or Milcom), highlighting the capture of their deity and religious leaders along with their political ones.
Verse 6
Similar to the oracle against Moab (48:47), this verse offers a promise of future restoration for Ammon. This demonstrates God’s ultimate sovereignty over all nations and His capacity for universal mercy.
Verse 7
Edom (descendants of Esau) was famous for its supposed wisdom, often associated with the city of Teman. The question mocks their human reliance on counsel and strategy, which will fail against divine judgment.
Verse 9
This verse uses a common analogy: even thieves or grape-gatherers leave something behind. In contrast, God’s judgment upon Edom will be complete and utterly devastating, leaving nothing.
Verse 11
Amidst the destruction, this verse offers an unexpected promise of protection for the most vulnerable. This demonstrates God’s consistent compassion even while executing harsh judgment against the proud nation.
Verse 12
The 'cup' symbolizes God’s wrath and divine judgment (cf. Jer. 25:15). If Judah, God’s chosen people, suffered punishment, Edom, a nation hostile to Israel, certainly cannot expect to escape judgment.
Verse 16
Edom’s capital, Petra, was built into steep rock 'clefts,' making it geographically secure and leading to great national pride. God promises to humble them, regardless of their defensible position.
Verse 18
Comparing Edom's fate to Sodom and Gomorrah signifies complete and permanent ruin. This hyperbole emphasizes the total desolation of the land.
Verse 20
The phrase 'least of the flock' likely refers to the weakest forces of the attacking army (likely Babylonian allies), signifying that even minimal opposition will be sufficient to conquer Edom.
Verse 23
This oracle concerns Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria), and its associated cities, Hamath and Arpad. The judgment is likely linked to Nebuchadnezzar's western campaigns.
Verse 25
Damascus was renowned for its magnificence and wealth, referred to here as the 'city of praise.' The lament highlights the sudden, tragic collapse of a magnificent city.
Verse 27
Benhadad was a dynastic name or title for Syrian kings, representing the royal lineage and power structure of Damascus that God intends to destroy.
Verse 28
This oracle targets Kedar and Hazor, powerful nomadic Arabian tribes dwelling east of Transjordan. Nebuchadrezzar is explicitly named as the instrument of this judgment, likely referring to campaigns around 599 BC.
Verse 31
The 'wealthy nation' refers to the complacency of these desert dwellers. They felt secure because their nomadic lifestyle meant they lacked fixed cities, gates, or bars, believing they were safe from invasion.
Verse 32
The 'utmost corners' (or 'those who clip the corners of their hair') refers to the distinctive hairstyle of these desert tribes, symbolizing their unique identity which will not protect them from scattering.
Verse 34
Elam was a major kingdom located east of Babylon (modern Iran). This oracle is specifically dated early in Zedekiah’s reign (c. 597 BC), demonstrating the breadth of Jeremiah's prophetic scope.
Verse 35
Elam was historically famous for its highly skilled archers (cf. Isa. 22:6). Breaking the 'bow of Elam' symbolizes the complete destruction of their military power.
Verse 38
'Set my throne in Elam' signifies God’s absolute sovereignty and judicial authority being established in this distant land, demonstrating that no nation is outside His jurisdiction.
Verse 39
Like Ammon, Elam is promised a future restoration 'in the latter days.' This universal promise foreshadows a time when God will restore and incorporate even distant nations into His plan.
Use ←→ arrow keys to navigate
Settings
Reading Style
Typeface
Font Size px
The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Reading Width chars
Options
Choose a Book
Study Note
Bible Version
Recent History
Get the App
Add TrulyRandomVerse to your home screen for instant access
TRV