Jeremiah 49:34

¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,

The word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} that came to Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030} against Elam {H5867} in the beginning {H7225} of the reign {H4438} of Zedekiah {H6667} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, saying {H559},

This is the word of ADONAI that came to Yirmeyahu the prophet concerning 'Eilam at the beginning of the reign of Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah:

This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah.

The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,

Jeremiah 49:34 serves as the introductory verse for a specific prophecy directed by God through the prophet Jeremiah against the ancient kingdom of Elam. This verse sets the stage, identifying the divine source, the recipient of the message, the target nation, and the historical timeframe.

Historical and Cultural Context

Elam was a powerful civilization located to the east of Babylonia, primarily in what is now southwestern Iran. Known for its skilled archers and formidable military, Elam had a long and complex history with its Mesopotamian neighbors. At the time of this prophecy, the geopolitical landscape of the Ancient Near East was dominated by the rising power of Babylon, which was asserting its dominance over surrounding nations, including Judah.

The phrase "in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah" provides a crucial historical marker. Zedekiah ascended to the throne of Judah around 597 BC, after the first deportation of Judahites to Babylon, which included King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens (2 Kings 24:15). This places Jeremiah's prophecy against Elam in a period of great political instability and divine judgment, as God was using Babylon as an instrument to discipline various nations, including Judah itself.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority of Prophecy: The opening phrase, "The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet," immediately establishes that this message is not Jeremiah's own opinion but a direct revelation from God. This emphasizes God's active involvement in human history and His communication with humanity through His chosen servants.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: This verse, like many others in Jeremiah 46-51, demonstrates God's absolute control and authority over all nations, not just Israel. Even distant and powerful kingdoms like Elam are subject to His plans and judgments. This theme underscores that no nation is beyond God's reach or accountability (see Isaiah 40:15).
  • Historical Precision: The specific dating to "the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah" highlights the historical grounding of biblical prophecy. It shows that these prophecies were not vague pronouncements but were given at particular moments in time, relevant to contemporary events and political realities.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "דְּבַר יְהוָה" (davar Yahweh), translated as "the word of the LORD," is a common and significant introductory formula in prophetic books. It signifies the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message to follow. The name "Elam" (עֵילָם, 'Elam) itself refers to a distinct ethnic and political entity with a long history of interaction with Mesopotamia. The detailed prophecies in the following verses describe specific judgments against Elam, including the breaking of their bow, a symbol of their military strength (Jeremiah 49:35).

Practical Application

For a contemporary audience, Jeremiah 49:34 serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring sovereignty. It encourages believers to recognize that God is not only concerned with individual lives but also orchestrates the rise and fall of nations. This perspective can bring comfort in times of global instability, knowing that there is a divine hand at work, and it calls for prayer for leaders and nations. It also reinforces the truth that God's word is historically reliable and universally applicable, extending beyond its immediate context to speak to future generations about His character and purposes.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 14:1

    ¶ And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

  • Jeremiah 25:25

    And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,

  • Genesis 10:22

    The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

  • Daniel 8:2

    And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I [was] at Shushan [in] the palace, which [is] in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

  • Isaiah 21:2

    A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.

  • Acts 2:9

    Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

  • Ezra 4:9

    Then [wrote] Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, [and] the Elamites,

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