Jeremiah 49:25

KJV

How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!

KJV (with Strong's)

How is the city {H5892} of praise {H8416} not left {H5800}, the city {H7151} of my joy {H4885}!

Complete Jewish Bible

How can a city so praised be deserted, a city that gave me such joy?

Berean Standard Bible

How is the city of praise not forsaken, the town that brings Me joy?

American Standard Version

How is the city of praise not forsaken, the city of my joy?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 49:25 is a poignant lament within the prophet Jeremiah's divine pronouncements against foreign nations, specifically targeting Damascus. The verse expresses profound dismay and rhetorical astonishment at the impending, unexpected, and complete devastation of this once-glorious and celebrated city. It highlights the swift and thorough nature of divine judgment, even upon a powerful and renowned capital, underscoring that no earthly power is immune to God's sovereign will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 49:25 is embedded within a larger section of Jeremiah's prophecies against the nations (Jeremiah 46-51), which serves as a theological statement about Yahweh's universal sovereignty over all peoples, not just Judah. Chapters 46-48 deal with Egypt and Philistia, while chapter 49 specifically addresses Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. Verses 23-27 form a distinct oracle against Damascus, depicting its people gripped by fear and distress as an invading force approaches. The rhetorical question in verse 25 acts as a dramatic exclamation, amplifying the shock and tragedy of Damascus's impending doom, emphasizing the unexpected and devastating outcome for a city of such stature. This lamentational tone is characteristic of prophetic literature when describing the fall of once-proud entities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Damascus, located in modern-day Syria, was one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and held immense strategic, economic, and political importance in the ancient Near East. It controlled vital trade routes connecting Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, and Arabia. Throughout its history, Damascus was a powerful Aramean kingdom, frequently clashing with Israel and Judah. Its reputation as a "city of praise" (a place of renown, celebration, and perhaps even a center for pagan worship and festivals) and "city of my joy" (a source of delight and pride for its inhabitants) reflects its wealth, beauty, and cultural significance. The prophecy likely refers to an impending invasion, possibly by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar, who were the dominant power in the region during Jeremiah's ministry, fulfilling God's judgment against nations that opposed His people or acted with hubris.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 49:25 contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment** of Yahweh over all nations, demonstrating that even powerful non-Israelite kingdoms are subject to His ultimate authority and justice. The destruction of Damascus is presented not merely as a geopolitical event but as an act of God's righteous judgment against pride and rebellion. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Fall of the Mighty**, illustrating that no city, however celebrated or seemingly impregnable, is immune to divine reckoning. This theme resonates with broader biblical warnings against human arrogance and self-reliance, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction") which states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Finally, the lamentational tone reveals a theme of **Grief and Sorrow over Loss**, even in the midst of judgment. While the destruction is deserved, the prophet, speaking for God, expresses a profound sense of lament over the demise of human flourishing, even when that flourishing was built on unrighteousness or idolatry. This nuanced perspective shows God's complex interaction with His creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **praise (Hebrew, _tᵉhillâh'_):** From the root _hâlal_ (to praise, boast). This word signifies laudation, renown, or a hymn. In this context, "city of praise" refers to Damascus's reputation, its celebrated status, perhaps its beauty, wealth, or even the praise offered to its idols. It denotes a city that was the object of admiration or renown among nations.
* **left (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** A primitive root meaning to loosen, relinquish, permit, or forsake. Here, in the passive voice, it conveys the idea of being abandoned, deserted, or left desolate. The rhetorical question "How is... not left?" expresses astonishment that such a prominent city could be so utterly forsaken and destroyed, implying a complete and unexpected abandonment by its inhabitants or its former glory.
* **joy (Hebrew, _mâsôws'_):):** From the root _sûs_ (to exult, rejoice). This noun refers to delight, mirth, or the concrete object or cause of joy. "City of my joy" implies that Damascus was a source of great pleasure, pride, and celebration for its people, perhaps due to its prosperity, its vibrant culture, or its perceived invincibility. The loss of this "joy" underscores the depth of its impending desolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How is the city of praise not left,"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question expressing profound dismay and astonishment. It's not asking *why* it wasn't left, but rather exclaiming *how* it is possible that such a renowned, celebrated, and seemingly impregnable city could be utterly abandoned and destroyed. It highlights the unexpected and devastating nature of Damascus's impending doom, given its stature and reputation among nations. The city's former glory and self-perception stand in stark contrast to its imminent desolation.
* **"the city of my joy!"**: This phrase further emphasizes the lament and the depth of the loss. "My joy" refers to the joy and pride its inhabitants or even the prophet (speaking as an observer of human flourishing) once derived from it. It could also be a divine lament, expressing sorrow over the destruction of what was once a vibrant part of creation, even if fallen. The exclamation mark underscores the emotional impact of this realization, marking the complete cessation of its former delight and prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 49:25 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!" This question is not meant to be answered but to express intense surprise, lament, and incredulity at the unexpected and complete destruction of Damascus. It draws the reader into the prophet's (or God's) astonishment. **Personification** is also evident as the city is described as having "praise" and being a source of "joy," giving it human-like qualities of renown and delight. The phrase "city of my joy" also functions as an **Appositive**, further defining and emphasizing the nature of Damascus. The entire verse serves as a **Lament**, a mournful expression of sorrow over a loss, even when that loss is a result of divine judgment. This lamentational tone softens the harshness of the judgment, revealing a complex divine emotion that grieves over the destruction of human flourishing, even when it is necessary. Finally, the **Juxtaposition** of Damascus's former "praise" and "joy" with its impending "not left" (desolation) creates a stark and tragic contrast, highlighting the swift and complete reversal of its fortunes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 49:25 powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. The fall of Damascus, a city renowned for its strength and splendor, serves as a vivid reminder that no earthly power, wealth, or reputation can withstand divine judgment when it is due. This verse underscores the transient nature of human achievements and the futility of placing ultimate trust in worldly security. It challenges the human tendency to boast in self-sufficiency and reminds us that true and lasting praise and joy can only be found in God, not in temporal cities or accomplishments. The lament within the judgment also reveals God's complex character – while righteous in His wrath, there is also a profound sorrow over the destruction of His creation, even when it is a consequence of sin.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Frustrates the Plans of Nations")
* [Isaiah 2:12-17](/isaiah/2-12 "Isaiah 2:12-17 - The Day of the Lord Against Human Pride")
* [Revelation 18:9-10](/revelation/18-9 "Revelation 18:9-10 - Lament Over Babylon's Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 49:25 invites us to critically examine where we place our ultimate trust and derive our deepest joy. Just as Damascus, a city of "praise" and "joy," faced utter desolation, so too can our own sources of worldly pride—be it career success, financial security, social status, or even national identity—prove fleeting and vulnerable. This verse serves as a stark reminder that all earthly kingdoms and human endeavors are ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. For believers, it calls for a reorientation of priorities, encouraging us to seek lasting treasures in Christ rather than transient earthly glories. It prompts humility, urging us to acknowledge God's control over all circumstances and to find our true joy and praise in Him alone. We are challenged to live in a way that reflects our understanding that true security and lasting significance come from aligning our lives with God's eternal purposes, not from the fleeting applause of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cities of praise" or "cities of joy" do I tend to build in my own life, placing my hope and security in them rather than in God?**
* **How does the swift and complete fall of Damascus challenge my assumptions about worldly power and stability?**
* **In what ways can I reorient my heart and actions to find my deepest praise and joy in God alone, rather than in temporal achievements or possessions?**
* **How does the lamentational tone of this verse, even in judgment, reveal something about God's character that I might overlook?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Damascus being called "the city of praise" and "the city of my joy"?**

Answer: These phrases highlight Damascus's historical and cultural prominence. "City of praise" (Hebrew: _tᵉhillâh_) refers to its widespread renown, its celebrated status, and perhaps its beauty, wealth, or even its role as a center of pagan worship and festivities. It was a city admired and lauded by others. "City of my joy" (Hebrew: _mâsôws_) indicates that it was a source of great delight, pride, and celebration for its inhabitants, perhaps due to its prosperity, vibrant culture, or perceived invincibility. The use of these terms amplifies the shock and tragedy of its impending destruction, emphasizing the contrast between its former glory and its future desolation.

**Who is speaking in Jeremiah 49:25, and what is the tone?**

Answer: The speaker is primarily the prophet Jeremiah, delivering a divine oracle. However, the lamentational tone ("How is... not left!") suggests that the words also reflect God's own sorrowful observation of the destruction of a once-flourishing city, even as it is a consequence of His righteous judgment. The tone is one of profound dismay, astonishment, and lament. It's a rhetorical question that expresses incredulity at the unexpected and complete devastation awaiting such a significant capital. This demonstrates that even in judgment, there can be an element of grief over the loss of human flourishing, even if that flourishing was built on unrighteousness.

**Does this verse have any relevance for believers today?**

Answer: Absolutely. Jeremiah 49:25 serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly powers, wealth, and reputations are fleeting and ultimately subject to God's sovereign will and judgment. It challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and find our deepest joy. Just as Damascus's glory faded, so too can our own worldly achievements and sources of security prove temporary. The verse encourages humility, a focus on eternal values, and the recognition that true and lasting joy comes from the Lord, not from temporal possessions or achievements. This resonates with New Testament teachings about storing up treasures in heaven, as seen in [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 49:25, with its lament over the fall of a "city of praise" and "joy," finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While earthly cities and kingdoms, no matter how glorious, are destined to fall under divine judgment due to sin and pride, Christ establishes an eternal kingdom that will never be "left" or forsaken. The "praise" and "joy" that Damascus once embodied point to the true and lasting praise that belongs to God alone, fully revealed in Christ. Humanity's attempts to build cities of self-glory ultimately lead to desolation, but Jesus is the cornerstone of the [heavenly Jerusalem](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22 - The Heavenly Jerusalem"), a city whose builder and maker is God, which knows no end. The lament over Damascus’s destruction foreshadows the ultimate judgment against all human systems and powers that oppose God, culminating in the [fall of Babylon](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - The Fall of Babylon") in Revelation. Yet, in contrast to this destruction, Christ offers a kingdom of [everlasting joy](/isaiah/51-11 "Isaiah 51:11 - Everlasting Joy") and a dwelling place where His people will praise Him forever. The fleeting joy of earthly cities is replaced by the [unending joy found in His presence](/psalms/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence"), and the praise once given to human achievements is now rightly directed to the [Lamb who was slain](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb"). Thus, Jeremiah's lament over Damascus ultimately points to the necessity of a new, eternal city built not on human pride but on the redemptive work of Christ, the only true source of lasting praise and joy.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 33:9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Jeremiah 51:41

How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!

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.

Isaiah 1:26

And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Isaiah 14:4

¶ That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!

Isaiah 14:6

He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, [and] none hindereth.