Jeremiah 49:18

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.

As in the overthrow {H4114} of Sodom {H5467} and Gomorrah {H6017} and the neighbour {H7934} cities thereof, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, no man {H376} shall abide {H3427} there, neither shall a son {H1121} of man {H120} dwell {H1481} in it.

It will be like the overthrow of S'dom, 'Amora and their neighboring towns," says ADONAI. "No one will settle there any more, no human being will live there again.

As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown along with their neighbors,โ€ says the LORD, โ€œno one will dwell there; no man will abide there.

As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith Jehovah, no man shall dwell there, neither shall any son of man sojourn therein.

Commentary

Jeremiah 49:18 delivers a powerful prophecy of utter desolation, comparing the future destruction of a specific nation to the infamous overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. The verse emphasizes that the targeted land will become completely uninhabited, devoid of any human presence, mirroring the irreversible judgment seen in those ancient cities.

Context

This verse is part of a series of prophecies in Jeremiah 46-51, where the prophet declares God's judgment against various foreign nations. Specifically, Jeremiah 49 focuses on the pronouncements against Edom, the descendants of Esau, who were historically hostile towards Israel (Jacob's descendants). Edom's judgment is attributed to their pride, their sense of security in their mountainous strongholds, and their opportunistic actions against Judah during its distress. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah underscores the severity and permanence of the coming judgment, signifying a complete and irreversible destruction.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute authority and His willingness to execute severe judgment against nations that oppose His will or His people. It highlights that no nation, however strong or secure, is beyond His reach.
  • Utter Desolation: The phrase "no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it" vividly portrays a land rendered completely uninhabitable. This signifies not just defeat or temporary displacement, but a permanent, barren emptiness.
  • Historical Precedent of Wrath: By invoking the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, God references an event synonymous with ultimate divine wrath and complete annihilation due to profound wickedness. This comparison serves as a stark warning and a benchmark for the intensity of the coming destruction upon Edom.
  • Consequences of Pride and Hostility: While not explicit in this single verse, the broader context of Jeremiah 49 and other prophetic books (like Obadiah) reveals that Edom's downfall was a direct consequence of their arrogance and their actions against Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "overthrow" is mahpekah (ืžึทื”ึฐืคึตึผื›ึธื”), which implies a violent overturning or a complete reversal, vividly describing the catastrophic nature of the destruction. The phrase "son of man" (Hebrew: ben 'adam, ื‘ึถึผืŸึพืึธื“ึธื) is a common idiom simply meaning "a human being." Its inclusion here emphasizes the absolute emptiness โ€“ not even a single person will be left to reside in the land, reinforcing the notion of total desolation.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 49:18 serves as a sobering reminder of several timeless truths:

  • God's Justice is Sure: This prophecy, like many others, demonstrates that God is just and will hold nations and individuals accountable for their actions, particularly for pride and hostility against His purposes or His people.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah underscores the severe consequences of persistent rebellion and wickedness in the eyes of God.
  • Warnings Are Real: The fulfillment of such prophecies throughout history reminds us that God's warnings are not idle threats but genuine declarations of His righteous judgment.
  • Humility is Key: For believers, this verse can serve as a call to humility and a warning against the kind of pride and self-reliance that characterized Edom, reminding us to trust in God alone rather than in our own strength or perceived security. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
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

  • Jeremiah 49:33

    And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, [and] a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor [any] son of man dwell in it.

  • Deuteronomy 29:23

    [And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

  • Zephaniah 2:9

    Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

  • Genesis 19:24

    ยถ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

  • Genesis 19:25

    And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

  • Amos 4:11

    I have overthrown [some] of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

  • Job 18:15

    It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because [it is] none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
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