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Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Jeremiah 49:7–22. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
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Summary
Jeremiah 49:18 delivers a stark and absolute prophecy of divine judgment against the nation of Edom, declaring its future desolation will be as complete and irreversible as the catastrophic overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. This divine decree emphasizes that the land will become utterly uninhabited, a permanent testament to God's severe and unwavering justice, leaving no human presence to dwell within its borders.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is strategically placed within Jeremiah's extensive prophecies against foreign nations, spanning Jeremiah 46-51. Specifically, Jeremiah 49 details pronouncements against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. The prophecy concerning Edom begins in Jeremiah 49:7 and extends through Jeremiah 49:22, painting a grim picture of their impending downfall. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah in this verse serves as the ultimate theological benchmark for divine wrath, signifying a level of destruction that is both complete and enduring. It underscores the finality of Edom's judgment within this prophetic series, marking it as a definitive and irreversible act of God's justice, mirroring the ancient, notorious catastrophe.
Historical & Cultural Context
Edom, situated southeast of Judah in the rugged, mountainous region of Seir (modern-day Jordan), traced its lineage back to Esau, Jacob's brother, making them distant kin to Israel. Despite this familial connection, the Edomites maintained a consistently hostile relationship with Israel, often exploiting Judah's vulnerabilities. Their opportunistic actions were particularly egregious during the Babylonian invasions, when they not only failed to assist Judah but actively participated in their plunder and rejoiced in their downfall, as vividly condemned in Obadiah 1:10-14. Edom's pride stemmed from their seemingly impregnable mountain fortresses, such as Petra, which they believed made them invulnerable (Jeremiah 49:16). The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, whose destruction is narrated in Genesis 19:24-25, would have invoked a deeply ingrained historical and theological memory for Jeremiah's audience. It represented the ultimate divine judgment against profound wickedness, a cultural archetype of utter annihilation that resonated with the severity of Edom's impending fate.
Key Themes
Jeremiah 49:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and broader prophetic literature. It highlights the theme of Divine Judgment and Sovereignty, demonstrating God's absolute authority over all nations and His unwavering commitment to justice, even against those who believe themselves secure in their pride and strength (Jeremiah 49:16). The verse vividly portrays Utter Desolation, emphasizing that the judgment will result in a land devoid of human life, not merely conquered or displaced, but permanently uninhabited. This speaks to the finality of God's wrath when His patience is exhausted. Furthermore, it underscores the Historical Precedent of Wrath, leveraging the infamous destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a powerful symbol of irreversible divine punishment for sin. This serves as a stark warning of the severity of Edom's impending fate, reminding the audience that God's past judgments are a template for future ones against persistent rebellion.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Derived from a root meaning "to overturn" or "to reverse," this noun describes a complete and violent destruction. It signifies a catastrophic event that utterly reverses the established order, implying total and irreversible ruin, much like a city being turned upside down. In this context, it evokes the image of a divine cataclysm that leaves nothing standing.
A primitive root meaning "to sit down," "to dwell," or "to remain." Here, it denotes the permanent absence of any settled habitation. The declaration that "no man shall abide there" emphasizes that the land will not merely be temporarily deserted but will remain permanently uninhabited, with no one settling or residing in it ever again. It speaks to a cessation of normal life and dwelling.
This common Hebrew idiom, combining "son" (H1121, bên) and "man" or "human being" (H120, 'âdâm), refers to any human individual, regardless of status or origin. Its inclusion here serves to reinforce the absolute nature of the desolation, emphasizing that not even a single person—no matter who they are—will be left to dwell in the land, underscoring the totality and universality of the judgment against human presence.
Verse Breakdown
"As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof"
This opening clause establishes a powerful and ominous simile, setting the benchmark for the impending destruction of Edom. By invoking the infamous, divinely orchestrated judgment upon Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities of the plain, the Lord signals that Edom's fate will be one of complete, catastrophic, and irreversible annihilation, a divine act of wrath that leaves no survivors and no possibility of recovery or resettlement.
"saith the LORD"
This parenthetical yet pivotal phrase, employing the divine name YHWH (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), underscores the absolute authority, certainty, and divine origin of the prophecy. It is not merely Jeremiah's prediction or a human speculation, but a direct, authoritative declaration from the sovereign God of Israel, guaranteeing its inevitable and precise fulfillment, reinforcing the weight and solemnity of the pronouncement.
"no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it"
This emphatic double negative clause forcefully declares the utter and permanent desolation of the land of Edom. The repetition of "no man" (Hebrew, 'îysh, H376) and "neither shall a son of man" (Hebrew, bên 'âdâm, H1121, H120) serves as a powerful hyperbole to stress that absolutely no human being, of any kind, will be able to settle or live in the region again. This signifies a complete and irreversible abandonment, a land rendered perpetually empty of human habitation as a direct consequence of divine judgment.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 49:18 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending and absolute judgment. The most striking is Simile, as the prophesied fate of Edom is explicitly compared to "the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof." This comparison immediately conjures vivid images of ultimate divine wrath and complete, irreversible annihilation, setting a terrifying and well-understood precedent for the destruction awaiting Edom. The phrase "no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it" utilizes powerful Hyperbole to emphasize the absolute and permanent nature of the desolation. While some transient presence might theoretically pass through, the language stresses that no settled population or enduring human presence will remain, highlighting the utter and perpetual emptiness. Finally, the entire verse functions as a direct Prophecy, a divinely inspired declaration of future events—specifically the judgment and desolation of Edom—demonstrating God's foreknowledge, sovereign control over history, and the certainty of His word.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 49:18 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice and the dire consequences of national sin, particularly pride, self-reliance, and hostility towards God's chosen people. The chilling comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah elevates Edom's judgment to a level of irreversible catastrophe, demonstrating that God's wrath, when fully unleashed against persistent rebellion and wickedness, results in complete and enduring desolation. This passage powerfully affirms God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, reminding us that no kingdom, however fortified, self-assured, or geographically isolated, can ultimately escape His righteous judgment. It underscores the profound seriousness of sin and defiance against divine will, illustrating that such actions ultimately lead to ruin, emptiness, and the cessation of flourishing life. The verse also implicitly teaches the principle of lex talionis (law of retaliation), as Edom's pride and aggression against Judah are met with a reciprocal and devastating divine response that leaves their land barren and empty.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 49:18, though a prophecy concerning an ancient nation, offers timeless and profound lessons for contemporary believers and societies. It serves as a sobering reminder that God is a God of perfect justice who holds all nations and individuals accountable for their actions. The severity of Edom's fate, chillingly paralleled with Sodom and Gomorrah, should instill a healthy fear of the Lord and a profound respect for the seriousness of sin, particularly that which involves pride, self-sufficiency, and hostility towards others, especially God's people. This passage challenges any sense of self-reliance or presumed invulnerability, which characterized Edom, urging us to recognize that true security is found not in human strength, geographical advantage, or worldly alliances, but in humble submission to God's sovereign will. This verse calls us to examine our own hearts and communities, ensuring that we are living in alignment with God's righteous standards, lest we, too, face the spiritual desolation that accompanies rebellion. It encourages us to intercede for our nations, seeking righteousness and justice, and to remember that God's warnings are not idle threats but urgent invitations to repentance, transformation, and a life lived in humble dependence on Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the specific sin of Edom that led to such a severe prophecy?
While Jeremiah 49:18 itself focuses on the outcome of the judgment, the broader context within Jeremiah 49 and other prophetic books, particularly Obadiah, reveals Edom's primary sins. These included extreme pride and arrogance, stemming from their seemingly impregnable mountain fortresses and their self-perceived wisdom (Jeremiah 49:16). More significantly, they exhibited opportunistic and malicious actions against their kin, the Israelites (descendants of Jacob). During Judah's distress and the Babylonian invasion, instead of offering aid, they actively participated in Judah's downfall, plundering and gloating over their misfortune (Obadiah 1:10-14). This deep-seated hostility, lack of brotherly love, and self-exaltation provoked God's righteous wrath, leading to the prophecy of utter desolation.
Has this prophecy of desolation for Edom been fulfilled?
Yes, historical and archaeological evidence strongly suggests that the prophecy of Edom's utter desolation has been fulfilled with remarkable precision. Following the Babylonian period, Edom (or Idumea, as it became known in later antiquity) faced successive waves of invasions and eventually faded from history as a distinct national entity. While the region has seen some limited, often nomadic, habitation over centuries, it never regained its former national identity or widespread settled population as predicted. The once-mighty Petra, Edom's capital and a symbol of their pride, became a ruin, and the land largely remained desolate, particularly compared to its former prominence and the surrounding regions. This historical fulfillment serves as a powerful testimony to the accuracy and divine authority of biblical prophecy, echoing the irreversible judgment seen in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Jeremiah 49:18, with its vivid portrayal of utter and permanent desolation, serves as a profound Old Testament type, foreshadowing the ultimate and final judgment against all unrighteousness, a judgment perfectly executed and absorbed by Jesus Christ. The "overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah" and the subsequent emptiness of Edom's land stand as a stark warning of God's righteous wrath against sin and rebellion, demonstrating that the wages of sin are indeed death and desolation (Romans 6:23). However, the glorious news of the Gospel is that Christ, the true "Son of Man" (a title He frequently used for Himself, emphasizing His humanity and messianic role, e.g., Mark 10:45), came not to bring desolation but to offer salvation from it. He bore the full weight of divine judgment, the ultimate "overthrow" of sin and death, on the cross, becoming sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through His substitutionary sacrifice, those who believe in Him are spared the eternal desolation that awaits the unrepentant. Instead of a land where "no man shall abide" in judgment, believers find a secure and eternal dwelling place in God's presence, for Jesus promised to go and prepare a place for His followers, so that where He is, they may be also (John 14:2-3). Thus, the terrifying emptiness promised to Edom finds its counterpoint in the abundant life and secure, eternal dwelling offered to all who are found in Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).