TRV
Translation
King James Version
For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
Complete Jewish Bible
For I have sworn by myself," says ADONAI, "that Botzrah will become a ruin and an object of astonishment, reproach and cursing; all its cities will be ruins forever."
Berean Standard Bible
For by Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that Bozrah will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and a curse, and all her cities will be in ruins forever.”
American Standard Version
For I have sworn by myself, saith Jehovah, that Bozrah shall become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
World English Bible Messianic
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For I haue sworne by my selfe, sayeth the Lord, that Bozrah shall be waste, and for a reproche, and a desolation, and a curse, and all the cities thereof shall be perpetuall desolations.
Young's Literal Translation
For, by Myself, I have sworn, An affirmation of Jehovah, That for a desolation, for a reproach, For a waste, and for a reviling--is Bozrah, And all her cities are for wastes age-during.
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Commentary on Jeremiah 49 verses 7–22
7 ¶ Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.
9 If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
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.
11 Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
12 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.
13 For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
14 I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
15 For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
16 Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.
17 Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.
18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
20 Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
21 The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
The Edomites come next to receive their doom from God, by the mouth of Jeremiah: they also were old enemies to the Israel of God; but their day will come to be reckoned with, and it is now at hand, and is foretold, not only for warning to them, but for comfort to the Israel of God, whose afflictions were very much aggravated by their triumphs over them and joy in their calamity, Psa 137:7. Many of the expressions used in this prophecy concerning Edom are borrowed from the prophecy of Obadiah, which is concerning Edom; for, all the prophets being inspired by one and the same Spirit, there must needs be a wonderful harmony and agreement in their predictions. Now here it is foretold,
I. That the country of Edom should be all wasted and made desolate, that the calamity of Esau should be brought upon him, the calamity he has deserved, and God has long designed him, for his old sins, Jer 49:8. The time is at hand when God will visit him, and call him to an account, and then they shall flee from the sword, turn back from the battle, and dwell deep in some close caverns, where they shall hide themselves. All they have shall be carried off by the conqueror; whereas grape-gatherers will leave some gleanings, and even thieves know when they have enough and will destroy no further, those that destroy them shall never be satiated, (Jer 49:9, Jer 49:10); they shall make Esau quite bare, shall strip the Edomites of all they have, shall find out ways and means to come at their most hidden treasure, shall discover even the secret places where they thought to secure their wealth, and rifle them, so that they shall none of them save their wealth, no, nor save themselves nor their children, that might be concealed in a little room: He shall not be able to hide himself, and his seed too is spoiled. His brethren the Moabites, and his neighbours the Philistines, whom he might have expected succours from, or at least shelter with, are spoiled as well as he and disabled to do him any service. And he is not, or there is not he, there is none to him, none left him, that may say what follows (Jer 49:11), Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive. When they are flying, or dying, there shall be none left, no relation, no friend, no, not so much as any parish officers to take care of their wives and children that they leave behind. Edom is not, he is cut off and gone; nor is there any to say, Leave me thy orphans. If the master of a family be cut off, or forced away, it is some comfort if he have a friend to leave his family with, whom he can confide in; but they shall have none such, for they shall all be involved in the same calamity. The Chaldee makes these to be the words of God to his people, distinguishing them from the Edomites in this calamity; and they read it, "But you, O house of Israel! you shall not leave your orphans; I will secure them, and let your widows rest on my word. Whatever becomes of the widows and fatherless of the Edomites, I will take care of yours." Note, it is an unspeakable comfort to the people of God, when they are dying, that they may leave their surviving relations with God, may, in faith, commit them to him and encourage them to trust in him; and, though they cannot promise themselves great things in the world for them, yet they may hope that he will preserve them alive, always, provided that they trust in him. Let the Edomites, for their part, count upon no other than to be made a desolation and a reproach; for the decree has gone forth; God hath sworn it by himself (Jer 49:13), that their cities shall be wasted, nay, they shall be perpetual wastes, they shall be made mean and despicable; they had made a mighty figure, but God will make them small among the heathen; and those that despised God's people shall themselves be despised among men (Jer 49:15, Oba 1:2), nay, they shall be made monstrous, and even a prodigy (Jer 49:17): Edom shall be such a desolation that every one who goes by shall be astonished; nay, worse yet, they shall be made a terror; Edom shall be made like Sodom and Gomorrah, none shall care for coming near the ruins of it, no man shall abide there (Jer 49:18), such a frightful place shall it be made.
II. That the instruments of this destruction should be very resolute and formidable. They have their commission from God; he summons them into this service (Jer 49:14): I have heard a rumour, or report, from the Lord, heard it by the prophecy of Obadiah, heard it by a whisper to myself, that an ambassador, or herald, or messenger, is sent to the Gentiles, who are to lay Edom waste, saying, Gather you together, muster all the forces you can, and come against her; for (Jer 49:20) this is the counsel that he hath taken against Edom. The matter is settled, the decree has gone forth, and there is no resisting it. God has determined that Edom shall be laid waste, and then he that is to be employed in wasting it shall come swiftly and strongly. Nebuchadnezzar is he or whom it is here foretold, 1. That he shall come up like a lion, with fierceness and fury, like a lion enraged by the swelling of Jordan overflowing his banks, which forces him out of his covert by the water-side into the higher grounds, Jer 49:19. He shall come roaring, come to devour all that come in his way. He shall come against the habitation of the strong, the forts and castles; and I will cause him to come suddenly into the land (so the next words might well be read), so as to find them unprovided with necessaries for a defence; for I will look out a chosen man to appoint over her, to do this execution, a man fit for the purpose, one chosen out of the people; for when God has work to do he will find out the fittest instruments to be employed in doing it: "Who is like me for choosing the instruments, and spiriting them for the work? And who will appoint me the time? Who will challenge me, and fix a time and place to meet me? Who will join issue with me in battle? And, when I send a lion into the flock, who is that shepherd that can, or dare, stand before me, or against me, to oppose that lion, and think to rescue any of the flock?" Note, When God has work to do of any kind he will soon find those that are able to engage in it, and all the world cannot find those that are able to engage against it. Nay, if God will have Edom destroyed, and their peopled dislodged, there needs not a lion, a fierce lion to do it: Even the least of the flock shall draw them out (Jer 49:20); the meanest servant in Nebuchadnezzar's retinue, the weakest of all that follow his camp, shall draw them out for the slaughter, shall force them to flee, or to surrender, and make their habitations desolate with them. God can bring to pass the greatest works by instruments least likely. When the Chaldean army comes against the Edomites all hands shall be employed and the poorest soldier in it shall have a pluck at them. 2. Nebuchadnezzar shall come, not only like a lion, the king of beasts, but like an eagle, the king of birds (Jer 49:22): He shall fly as the eagle upon his prey, so swiftly, so strongly, shall clap his wings upon Bozrah, to secure it for himself (as before, Jer 48:40), and immediately the hearts of the mighty men shall fail them, for they shall see he is an enemy that it is in vain to struggle with.
III. That the Edomites' confidences should all fail them in the day of their distress. 1. They trusted to their wisdom, but that shall stand them in no stead. This is the first thing fastened upon in this prophecy against Edom, Jer 49:7. That nation used to be famous for wisdom, and their statesmen were thought to excel in politics; and yet now they shall take such wrong measures in all their counsels, and be so baffled in all their designs, that people shall ask, with wonder, What is the matter with the Edomites? Is wisdom no more in Teman? Have the wise men of the east country (Kg1 4:30) become fools? Are those at their wits' end that were thought to have the monopoly of prudence? Has counsel perished from the understanding men? It is so, when God is designing the ruin of a people; for whom he will destroy he infatuates. See Job 12:20. Has their wisdom vanished? Is it tired? (so some); is it worn out? (so others); has it become useless? so others. Yes, it will do them no service when God comes forth to contend with them. 2. They trusted to their strength, but neither shall that avail them, Jer 49:16. They had been a terror to all their neighbours; every body feared them and truckled to them, and this made them proud and conceited of themselves and their own strength, and very secure; because no neighbouring nation durst meddle with them, they thought no nation in the world durst. Their country was much of it mountainous, having many passes which they thought themselves able to make good against any invader; but this terribleness of theirs deceived them, and so did their imaginary inaccessibleness; they did not prove so strong as they were formidable, nor so safe as they were secure. High as they are, God will bring them down; for, as there is no wisdom, so there is no might against the Lord, See these expressions, Oba 1:3, Oba 1:4, Oba 1:8.
IV. That their destruction should be inevitable and very remarkable. 1. God hath determined it (Jer 49:12); he hath said it; nay (Jer 49:13), he hath sworn it, that the Edomites shall not go unpunished, but that they shall drink the cup of trembling, which is put into the hands of all their neighbours; even those whose judgment, or doom, was not to drink of the cup, who had not so well deserved it as they had done, nations that had not been such enemies to Israel as they had been, or Israel itself, that was God's peculiar people, and among whom there were many, very many, who kept his ordinances, upon which account they might have expected an exemption; and yet they had been made to drink of the bitter cup; and shall the Edomites think to pass it? No; they shall surely drink of it. Note, When God punishes the less guilty it is folly for the more guilty to promise themselves impunity; and when judgment begins at God's house it will reach the strangers. 2. All the world shall take notice of it (Jer 49:21): The earth is moved, and all the nations are put into a concern, at the noise of their fall; the news of it shall make them tremble. The noise of the outcry is heard to the Red Sea, which flowed upon the coasts of Edom. So loud shall be the shouts of the conquerors and the shrieks of the conquered, and such a mighty noise shall the news of this destruction of Idumea make in the nations, that is shall be heard among the ships that lie in the Red Sea to take in lading (Kg1 9:26), and then they shall carry the news of it to the remotest shore. Note, The fall of those who have affected to make a noise with their pomp and power will make so much the greater noise.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–22. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 49:13 delivers a profound and unalterable divine judgment against Bozrah, the formidable capital of Edom. The Lord, swearing by His own immutable being, declares that Bozrah and all its surrounding cities will be utterly and perpetually transformed into symbols of desolation, reproach, waste, and a curse. This solemn prophecy powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to execute righteous judgment against pride, injustice, and hostility directed toward His people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 49:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey the certainty, severity, and comprehensive nature of God's judgment. The most prominent is the Divine Oath, expressed in the powerful declaration, "I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD." This rhetorical device emphatically underscores the absolute truth and immutability of the prophecy, as God's very character and being serve as the ultimate guarantee. The verse also utilizes Accumulation and Synonymia through the string of synonymous or near-synonymous terms: "desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse." This piling up of destructive descriptors amplifies the comprehensive nature of Bozrah's ruin, emphasizing its complete and utter downfall from every conceivable aspect—physical, social, and spiritual. Furthermore, the phrase "perpetual wastes" serves as a form of Hyperbole or intense emphasis, conveying the enduring and irreversible nature of the desolation, highlighting the finality of God's judgment against Edom. Finally, Bozrah itself functions as a powerful Synecdoche or Symbolism for the entire nation of Edom; its downfall represents the complete collapse of Edomite pride, power, and perceived invulnerability.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 49:13 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to righteous judgment. It reveals that no nation, regardless of its perceived strength, strategic location, or historical prominence, is beyond the reach of His divine decree. The Lord's oath "by myself" underscores His immutability and the absolute certainty of His word, whether in promise or in judgment. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that national or personal pride, injustice, and hostility towards God's people ultimately incur divine wrath. The complete and perpetual desolation prophesied for Bozrah and Edom signifies a total reversal of fortune, a divine response to their arrogance and their malicious actions against Judah, demonstrating that God sees and will act to bring about perfect justice in His time.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 49:13 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers and societies alike. It powerfully reminds us that God's word is utterly reliable and true, whether it declares judgment or promises salvation. Just as His prophecies against Edom were meticulously fulfilled in history, so too will all His promises and warnings come to pass with absolute certainty. This truth should instill in us both a healthy, reverent fear of the Lord and an unwavering confidence in His faithfulness and power. The tragic fate of Bozrah serves as a timeless warning against the insidious dangers of national or personal pride, self-reliance, and hostility towards others, especially those aligned with God's purposes. It teaches us that true security is found not in human strength, accumulated wealth, or strategic geopolitical positioning, but in humble submission to God's supreme authority and His righteous ways. Moreover, this verse offers a measure of comfort and hope to those who witness rampant injustice and oppression in the world, affirming that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and will ultimately bring about perfect justice, ensuring that all wrongdoing will be addressed and all pride will be humbled in due time.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the significance of Bozrah to Edom?
Answer: Bozrah was a city of immense significance for Edom, widely considered its capital or a major fortress. Its strategic location within the rugged, mountainous region of Seir made it appear impregnable, symbolizing Edom's strength, wealth, and perceived invulnerability. Therefore, the prophecy of Bozrah's utter destruction was a direct, devastating blow to the heart of Edomite pride and security, signifying the complete and irreversible downfall of the entire nation, not just a single city.
Why did God swear "by myself" in this prophecy?
Answer: When God swears "by myself," it constitutes the strongest possible divine oath, indicating the absolute certainty and immutability of His word. As there is no higher authority or greater being than God Himself, He swears by His own eternal character and essence. This emphasizes that the judgment against Bozrah and Edom is not a conditional threat or a mere possibility, but an unchangeable, divinely determined decree that will assuredly come to pass. This powerful form of oath is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as God's oath to Abraham in Genesis 22:16.
How does this prophecy relate to other prophecies against Edom in the Bible?
Answer: Jeremiah 49:13 is entirely consistent with other biblical prophecies against Edom, which frequently highlight their excessive pride, their deep-seated animosity towards Israel, and their ultimate, complete downfall. For example, Obadiah 1:3-4 speaks of Edom's pride in their seemingly secure rocky dwelling places and God's promise to bring them down from their lofty perch. Ezekiel 25:12-14 also condemns Edom for their vengeful actions against Judah and foretells their desolation. These prophecies collectively demonstrate God's righteous judgment against nations that oppose His people and elevate themselves in arrogant self-sufficiency, confirming a consistent divine decree against Edom.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 49:13 directly concerns God's historical judgment on the ancient nation of Edom, its underlying theological principles find profound and ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. The divine oath, "For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD," points to the unchangeable nature of God's word and His eternal commitment, a foundational truth for understanding the absolute certainty of Christ's redemptive work. Just as God's judgment on Bozrah was certain and irreversible, so too is the fulfillment of His covenant promises in Jesus Christ. The ultimate "desolation, reproach, waste, and curse" that humanity deserved due to its sin was borne by Christ on the cross, as He willingly "became a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13). He took upon Himself the full weight of divine judgment, transforming our deserved spiritual desolation into reconciliation, new life, and righteousness in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Furthermore, this passage foreshadows Christ's ultimate authority as the righteous Judge of all nations, who will one day bring all human pride and rebellion to nothing and establish His eternal, unshakeable kingdom (Revelation 19:11-16). The "perpetual wastes" of Edom serve as a stark warning of the eternal consequences for those who reject God's sovereign rule and refuse the salvation offered through Christ, who is the only way to escape the ultimate and eternal judgment that awaits the unrepentant (John 3:18).