Jeremiah 49:10

But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he [is] not.

But I have made Esau {H6215} bare {H2834}, I have uncovered {H1540} his secret places {H4565}, and he shall not be able {H3201} to hide {H2247} himself: his seed {H2233} is spoiled {H7703}, and his brethren {H251}, and his neighbours {H7934}, and he is not.

So I, for my part, have stripped 'Esav bare, I have exposed his hiding-places; he will not be able to hide himself. He is doomed - sons, brothers and neighbors - so that he is no more.

But I will strip Esau bare; I will uncover his hiding places, and he will be unable to conceal himself. His descendants will be destroyed along with his relatives and neighbors, and he will be no more.

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 brethren, and his neighbors; and he is not.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 49 is part of a larger section in the book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) containing prophecies against various foreign nations. This particular passage (Jeremiah 49:7-22) is directed against Edom, the nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. Edom was known for its pride, its supposed wisdom, and its dwelling in seemingly impregnable rock fortresses, notably the city of Petra. Historically, Edom maintained a contentious relationship with Israel, often displaying hostility and even rejoicing over Jerusalem's fall. Verse 10 declares the Lord's absolute and devastating judgment upon Edom, emphasizing its complete exposure and ruin.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully asserts God's ultimate authority over all nations. No kingdom, however strong or strategically located, can withstand God's universal judgment when it comes.
  • Complete Exposure and Desolation: The phrase "made Esau bare" and "uncovered his secret places" speaks to a total stripping away of defenses, wealth, and any illusion of security. There will be no escape or hiding place from divine judgment. The phrase "he [is] not" signifies utter annihilation or disappearance from the scene.
  • Consequences of Pride and Injustice: Edom's pride and their actions against God's people were a significant factor leading to this severe prophecy. This serves as a warning against arrogance and hostility.
  • Certainty of Prophecy: The declaration "I have made Esau bare" is spoken in the past tense, even though the judgment is future, underscoring the certainty of God's prophetic word and its inevitable fulfillment.

Linguistic Insights

  • "made Esau bare": The Hebrew word is ʿârâ (עָרָה), meaning "to strip," "to lay bare," or "to empty out." It vividly portrays the complete removal of all possessions, defenses, and dignity.
  • "uncovered his secret places": The Hebrew mistarim (מִסְתָּרִים) refers to hidden places, secret retreats, or concealed treasures. The uncovering implies that all that was hidden, whether wealth, strategic advantage, or refuge, will be exposed and rendered useless.
  • "he [is] not": The Hebrew phrase ʾênennû (אֵינֶנּוּ) literally means "he is not there," "he ceases to be," or "he is no more." It conveys the idea of complete eradication or desolation, emphasizing the finality of Edom's ruin.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 49:10 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • God's Justice is Unavoidable: No individual or nation can ultimately escape accountability before God. Earthly power, wealth, or strategic defenses offer no ultimate refuge from divine scrutiny and justice.
  • The Peril of Pride: Edom's downfall is intrinsically linked to its arrogance and hostility. The verse implicitly warns against the dangers of self-sufficiency and trusting in human strength rather than God.
  • Humility and Repentance: In contrast to Edom's fate, the path to true security lies in humility, acknowledging God's sovereignty, and seeking His mercy.
  • Trust in God's Word: The unwavering certainty of this ancient prophecy's fulfillment reinforces the trustworthiness of all God's declarations, both of judgment and of blessing.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 17:14

    And behold at eveningtide trouble; [and] before the morning he [is] not. This [is] the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.

  • Malachi 1:3

    And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

  • Malachi 1:4

    Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

  • Jeremiah 23:24

    Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

  • Psalms 37:35

    I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

  • Psalms 37:36

    Yet he passed away, and, lo, he [was] not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

  • Romans 9:13

    As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
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