Jeremiah 49:16

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.

Thy terribleness {H8606} hath deceived {H5377} thee, and the pride {H2087} of thine heart {H3820}, O thou that dwellest {H7931} in the clefts {H2288} of the rock {H5553}, that holdest {H8610} the height {H4791} of the hill {H1389}: though thou shouldest make thy nest {H7064} as high {H1361} as the eagle {H5404}, I will bring thee down {H3381} from thence, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Your capacity to terrorize has deceived you and made you arrogant. You make your home in the rocky crags and seize the top of the mountain; but even if you build your nest high as an eagle's, from there I will drag you down," says ADONAI.

The terror you cause and the pride of your heart have deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, O occupiers of the mountain summit. Though you elevate your nest like the eagle, even from there I will bring you down,โ€ declares the LORD.

As for thy terribleness, the pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, 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 Jehovah.

Commentary

Jeremiah 49:16 delivers a powerful prophetic judgment against the ancient nation of Edom, highlighting the destructive nature of pride and false security. This verse serves as a stark reminder of God's sovereignty over all human endeavors and perceived strengths.

Context

This verse is part of a series of prophecies in Jeremiah 46-51, where the prophet pronounces divine judgment against various surrounding nations. Edom, located in the mountainous region of Seir (modern-day Jordan), was known for its seemingly impregnable fortresses carved into rocky cliffs, with their capital, Petra, being a prime example. As descendants of Esau, Edom often harbored animosity towards their Israelite kin (descendants of Jacob) and even rejoiced in Jerusalem's destruction, a fact lamented in scriptures like Psalm 137:7. Jeremiah's message here underscores that no nation, however secure its defenses or proud its heart, is beyond God's ultimate authority and judgment.

Key Themes

  • The Deception of Pride: The core message is that Edom's "terribleness" (their formidable nature and the fear they inspired) and the "pride of thine heart" have utterly deceived them. This hubris led them to believe they were invincible, blinding them to their impending downfall.
  • False Security: Edom's dwelling in the "clefts of the rock" and holding the "height of the hill" speaks of their reliance on seemingly unassailable natural defenses. The metaphor of making their "nest as high as the eagle" emphasizes their perceived unassailability, a stark parallel found in Obadiah 1:4, which also prophesies against Edom.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: Despite Edom's lofty self-perception and formidable defenses, the Lord declares with absolute authority, "I will bring thee down from thence." This affirms God's ultimate power to humble the proud and execute His righteous judgment on all nations, demonstrating that no human stronghold or perceived strength can withstand His will.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "terribleness" is แธฅittah, which conveys dread or terror. Here, it refers to the awe or fear Edom instilled in others, which ironically contributed to their self-deception about their invincibility.
  • "Clefts of the rock" translates from แธฅagree sela, literally "clefts of Sela" (rock), often referring to the city of Petra itself, a fortress carved into the red sandstone cliffs.
  • The "eagle" (Hebrew: nesher) is a powerful and frequently used biblical symbol of high dwelling, swiftness, and strength, making the contrast with God's humbling power even more striking.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 49:16 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of pride and self-reliance. Whether individually or nationally, placing ultimate trust in one's own strength, achievements, or material security rather than in God leads to spiritual deception and eventual downfall. It reminds believers that God "resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). True security is found not in earthly fortifications or human might, but in trusting in the Lord, our Rock and Redeemer. The verse encourages humility, dependence on divine power, and a sober understanding that God's justice will ultimately prevail over all forms of human arrogance.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 9:2

    Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

  • Job 39:27

    Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

  • Isaiah 49:25

    But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

  • Proverbs 16:18

    ยถ Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

  • Obadiah 1:3

    The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

  • Obadiah 1:4

    Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

  • Proverbs 29:23

    ยถ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
โ† Back