And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.
And I will kindle {H3341} a fire {H784} in the wall {H2346} of Damascus {H1834}, and it shall consume {H398} the palaces {H759} of Benhadad {H1130}.
"I will light a fire inside Dammesek's walls which will consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad."
“I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-hadad.”
And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad.
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Amos 1:3
¶ Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron: -
Amos 1:5
I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD. -
1 Kings 15:18
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold [that were] left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, -
1 Kings 15:20
So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. -
1 Kings 20:1
¶ And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and [there were] thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. -
1 Kings 20:22
¶ And the prophet came to the king of Israel, and said unto him, Go, strengthen thyself, and mark, and see what thou doest: for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against thee. -
2 Kings 13:3
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all [their] days.
Jeremiah 49:27 delivers a potent prophetic declaration concerning the city of Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria), and its powerful rulers. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God announces His direct judgment, promising fiery destruction upon the symbols of their strength and authority.
Historical and Cultural Context
This verse is part of a series of oracles (prophecies) delivered by Jeremiah against various foreign nations, found in chapters 46-51 of his book. These prophecies demonstrate God's sovereignty not only over Israel but over all the world's kingdoms. Damascus was an ancient and historically significant city, a rival and often an oppressor of Israel. The name "Benhadad" was a common regnal name for kings of Aram, much like "Pharaoh" in Egypt. Mentioning the "palaces of Benhadad" signifies the targeting of the very seat of their royal power, wealth, and security, implying a comprehensive downfall of their ruling elite. Historically, Damascus faced numerous sieges and conquests from various empires, including the Assyrians and Babylonians, aligning with the pattern of divine judgment foretold by prophets.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "kindle a fire" (Hebrew: *ba'ar*) implies a consuming, thorough burning, not just a small flame. It speaks to a devastating and complete destruction. The target, the "wall of Damascus" and "palaces of Benhadad," precisely indicates the fortified defenses and the opulent centers of royal authority, making the judgment specific and comprehensive. The use of "I will kindle" emphasizes the direct, personal agency of God in bringing about this devastation.
Practical Application
For believers today, Jeremiah 49:27 offers several timeless insights: