Jeremiah 49:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hazor {H2674} shall be a dwelling {H4583} for dragons {H8577}, and a desolation {H8077} for {H5704} ever {H5769}: there shall no man {H376} abide {H3427} there, nor any son {H1121} of man {H120} dwell {H1481} in it.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Hatzor will be a place for jackals to live, desolate forever; no one will settle there any more, no human being will live there again."

Berean Standard Bible

“Hazor will become a haunt for jackals, a desolation forever. No one will dwell there; no man will abide there.”

American Standard Version

And Hazor shall be a dwelling-place of jackals, a desolation for ever: no man shall dwell there, neither shall any son of man sojourn therein.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 49:33 delivers a severe prophetic judgment against Hazor, declaring its complete and permanent desolation. This pronouncement signifies that the once-inhabited stronghold will be reduced to an uninhabitable wasteland, fit only for wild creatures, with no human presence ever returning. It serves as a stark testament to God's universal sovereignty and the certainty of His word, demonstrating that no nation, however secure or proud, is exempt from divine accountability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 49:33 concludes a specific oracle against Kedar and Hazor (Jeremiah 49:28-33), which is part of a larger collection of prophecies against foreign nations found in Jeremiah 46-51. This section immediately follows pronouncements against Ammon, Edom, and Damascus, underscoring God's comprehensive authority over all peoples, not just Israel. The placement of this oracle at the end of the Kedar and Hazor section emphasizes the finality and severity of the judgment, serving as a climactic declaration of ruin for a people who felt secure in their remote and fortified dwelling. The prophet's consistent message throughout these chapters is that all nations are subject to the divine will and judgment of the Lord, who raises up and casts down kingdoms according to His righteous purposes, as seen in His commission to Jeremiah to "root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant" nations and kingdoms ([Jeremiah 1:10](/jeremiah/1-10 "Jeremiah 1:10 - Jeremiah's Commission Over Nations")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Hazor mentioned here is widely understood by scholars not to be the prominent northern Israelite city of Hazor (destroyed centuries earlier), but rather an Arabian settlement or stronghold associated with the nomadic tribe of Kedar. Kedar was a powerful and influential Arabian tribe, known for its wealth from trade and its formidable military strength. They were often depicted as dwelling in tents and moving with their flocks, but also having fortified encampments or trading posts like Hazor. This Hazor was likely a strategic oasis or a fortified center that provided security and a base for their activities, giving them a sense of invulnerability. The prophecy's focus on its utter desolation would have been particularly devastating to a people who prided themselves on their self-sufficiency and the perceived impregnability of their dwelling places. The judgment against Hazor, therefore, targets not just a physical location but the very foundation of Kedarite pride and security.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Universal Judgment**, demonstrating that God's authority extends far beyond Judah to encompass all nations. His judgment is impartial and righteous, falling upon those who live in pride, oppose His will, or engage in injustice, reinforcing the idea that "the Lord reigns" over all the earth ([Psalm 97:1](/psalm/97-1 "Psalm 97:1 - The Lord Reigns")). Secondly, the imagery of "a dwelling for dragons" and "a desolation for ever" emphasizes **Utter and Irreversible Desolation**. This signifies a complete and permanent ruin, where human habitation ceases, and the land reverts to a wild, uninhabitable state, a common prophetic motif for divine judgment on rebellious cities, as seen in the prophecies against Babylon ([Isaiah 13:20-22](/isaiah/13-20 "Isaiah 13:20-22 - Prophecy Against Babylon")). Finally, the definitive language ("shall be," "shall no man abide") underscores the **Certainty and Reliability of God's Prophetic Word**. What God declares will undoubtedly come to pass, serving as a powerful reminder of His faithfulness to His pronouncements, whether of blessing or judgment, and affirming that "the word of our God will stand forever" ([Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Word of God Endures")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hazor (Hebrew, _Châtsôwr'_):** (H2674) A collective form of the Hebrew word for "village" or "enclosure." In this context, it refers to a specific place in Arabia, likely a fortified settlement or prominent center associated with the Kedarites. Its naming here highlights its significance as a target of divine judgment, emphasizing that even seemingly secure and remote places are not beyond God's reach.
* **dwelling (Hebrew, _mâʻôwn'_):** (H4583) From a root meaning "to abide" or "to dwell." It signifies an abode, a habitation, or a lair. It can refer to a home for humans, a dwelling place for God (like the Tabernacle or Temple), or a lair for animals. Here, its transformation from a human dwelling to a "dwelling for dragons" powerfully conveys the reversal of its status from a place of human life and order to one of wildness and desolation.
* **dragons (Hebrew, _tannîyn'_):** (H8577) An intensive form meaning a "marine or land monster," often translated as "sea-serpent," "jackal," or "whale." In prophetic contexts, especially when describing desolation, it commonly refers to large, wild, desert creatures like jackals, wild dogs, or hyenas. The imagery of a place becoming a "dwelling for dragons" vividly portrays its utter ruin and abandonment by humans, indicating it will be overrun by scavengers and wild beasts, a symbol of complete and irreversible desolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons":** This clause immediately sets the tone of severe judgment. Hazor, once a place of human habitation and presumably a center of activity for the Kedarites, is prophesied to become a lair for wild, desolate creatures. The term "dragons" (tannîyn) here most likely refers to jackals or other desert scavengers, painting a vivid picture of a place so utterly ruined and abandoned that it becomes a habitat for the wild, untamed elements of nature. This is a powerful reversal of its intended purpose as a human dwelling.
* **"[and] a desolation for ever":** This phrase intensifies the preceding declaration, emphasizing the permanence and completeness of Hazor's ruin. "Desolation" (shᵉmâmâh) signifies a state of waste, emptiness, and devastation. The addition of "for ever" (l'olam) indicates that this state of ruin is not temporary but perpetual, implying that the city will never be rebuilt or re-inhabited by humans. This highlights the irreversible nature of God's judgment once it is fully executed.
* **"there shall no man abide there, nor [any] son of man dwell in it":** This final clause explicitly confirms the absolute and eternal abandonment of Hazor by humanity. The repetition of "no man" (ʼîysh) and "nor any son of man" (bên ʼâdâm) serves as an emphatic declaration that human life will utterly cease in this place. The terms "abide" (yâshab) and "dwell" (gûwr) reinforce the idea that no one will settle, reside, or even sojourn there. This complete cessation of human presence underscores the severity and finality of the divine judgment, leaving no hope for future recovery or repopulation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 49:33 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of utter ruin. **Imagery** is central, with the vivid picture of "Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons." This evokes a sense of wildness, abandonment, and decay, transforming a human settlement into a habitat for creatures associated with desolation and wasteland. The term "dragons" (tannîyn), though often translated as such, more accurately refers to jackals or wild dogs, making the imagery even more stark and realistic in a desert context. **Hyperbole** is also evident in the phrase "a desolation for ever" and "there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it." While perhaps not literally meaning for all eternity in a cosmic sense, the expression emphasizes a permanent and irreversible state of ruin, beyond human repair or repopulation, underscoring the severity and finality of God's judgment. This prophetic **Foreshadowing** serves as a warning to other nations and peoples, illustrating the inevitable consequences of pride and rebellion against divine sovereignty. The definitive and absolute language used throughout the verse is characteristic of **Prophetic Language**, which often employs strong, unyielding declarations to convey the certainty of God's word and His unchallengeable authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 49:33 stands as a profound testament to the universal scope of God's justice and sovereignty. It underscores the theological truth that the Lord is not merely the God of Israel but the sovereign ruler over all nations, holding every people accountable for their actions, pride, and rebellion. The utter desolation prophesied for Hazor serves as a powerful reminder that human power, security, and wealth are transient and ultimately subject to divine decree. This judgment is a manifestation of God's righteousness, demonstrating that sin and defiance, whether from Judah or distant Arabian tribes, will ultimately face consequences. It calls all humanity to humility and recognition of God's supreme authority, for He is the one who "brings princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness" ([Isaiah 40:23](/isaiah/40-23 "Isaiah 40:23 - God's Sovereignty Over Rulers")).

* [Isaiah 34:13-15](/isaiah/34-13 "Isaiah 34:13-15 - Desolation of Edom")
* [Zephaniah 2:13-15](/zephaniah/2-13 "Zephaniah 2:13-15 - Judgment on Assyria and Nineveh")
* [Malachi 1:3-4](/malachi/1-3 "Malachi 1:3-4 - Edom's Desolation and God's Everlasting Displeasure")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 49:33, while a prophecy of ancient judgment, holds timeless truths for contemporary reflection and application. It serves as a potent reminder that all human endeavors, no matter how grand, secure, or self-sufficient, are ultimately fragile before the sovereign power of God. The fate of Hazor compels us to consider the impermanence of earthly kingdoms, wealth, and perceived security, urging us to place our trust not in fleeting human strength or material possessions, but in the eternal and unchanging God. It challenges any sense of national or personal pride that elevates itself against divine authority, reminding us that accountability before God is universal. Furthermore, the unwavering fulfillment of such prophecies strengthens our faith in the absolute reliability of God's Word, encouraging us to live in accordance with His revealed truth, knowing that His promises and warnings are equally certain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or culture do I observe a reliance on human strength or perceived security rather than on God's sovereignty?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment on nations, as seen in Hazor, shape my understanding of His justice and my own accountability?**
* **What are the "dragons" or symbols of desolation in my own life or community that indicate a departure from God's intended order?**
* **How can the permanence of Hazor's desolation motivate me to seek lasting spiritual realities over temporary earthly pursuits?**

### FAQ
**Which Hazor is mentioned in Jeremiah 49:33, and why is it significant?**

Answer: The Hazor mentioned in Jeremiah 49:33 is generally understood by scholars to be an Arabian settlement or stronghold associated with the nomadic tribe of Kedar, not the well-known Israelite city of Hazor in northern Galilee. This distinction is crucial because the prophecy immediately follows an oracle against Kedar (Jeremiah 49:28), placing it firmly within the context of God's judgment against Arabian peoples. Its significance lies in its likely role as a fortified center or trading post for the Kedarites, symbolizing their pride, wealth, and perceived invulnerability. Its prophesied utter desolation underscores God's universal sovereignty, demonstrating that even remote and seemingly secure nations are subject to His divine judgment, much like other nations faced judgment in the broader collection of oracles against the nations in Jeremiah 46-51, such as Egypt ([Jeremiah 46](/jeremiah/46 "Jeremiah 46 - Prophecy Against Egypt")) and Babylon ([Jeremiah 50](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50 - Prophecy Against Babylon")).

**What does "dwelling for dragons" mean in this context?**

Answer: The KJV translation "dragons" for the Hebrew word _tannîyn_ (H8577) in Jeremiah 49:33 does not refer to mythical, fire-breathing creatures. In biblical Hebrew, _tannîyn_ can refer to large marine creatures (like whales or sea monsters) or, more commonly in terrestrial contexts, to large desert predators and scavengers such as jackals, wild dogs, or hyenas. Therefore, "a dwelling for dragons" vividly portrays a place that has been utterly abandoned by humans and has reverted to a wild, desolate state, becoming a habitat for these untamed desert animals. This imagery is a powerful symbol of complete ruin and uninhabitable wasteland, similar to descriptions of other doomed cities in prophetic literature, signifying that the place will be utterly devoid of human life and given over to the wilderness, as seen in the prophecy against Babylon ([Isaiah 13:21-22](/isaiah/13-21 "Isaiah 13:21-22 - Wild Beasts in Desolate Babylon")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 49:33 pronounces a specific judgment on an ancient nation, its deeper theological currents find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The prophecy of Hazor's utter desolation, where no man or "son of man" would dwell, speaks to the ultimate consequences of sin and rebellion against God's sovereign rule. In Christ, we see the ultimate "Son of Man" ([Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - Son of Man Coming with Clouds")), who did not come to bring desolation but to bear it. He took upon Himself the full weight of divine judgment for humanity's sin, experiencing ultimate abandonment and desolation on the cross, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Through His sacrifice, Christ transforms the prospect of eternal desolation for humanity into an offer of eternal life and dwelling with God. He is the one who establishes a new, eternal dwelling place, a "new heaven and a new earth" ([Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - New Heaven and New Earth")), where there will be no more curse, no more desolation, and where God Himself will "dwell with them" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")). Thus, the judgment on Hazor foreshadows the universal need for redemption from spiritual desolation, a redemption fully accomplished in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who invites all to find their true and secure dwelling in Him, the cornerstone of God's eternal kingdom ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone")).

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 10:22

Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, [and] a den of dragons.

Jeremiah 9:11

And I will make Jerusalem heaps, [and] a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

Jeremiah 51:37

And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.

Zephaniah 2:13

And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, [and] dry like a wilderness.

Zephaniah 2:15

This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.

Malachi 1:3

And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

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.