Jeremiah 49:37

KJV

For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, [even] my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:

KJV (with Strong's)

For I will cause Elam {H5867} to be dismayed {H2865} before {H6440} their enemies {H341}, and before {H6440} them that seek {H1245} their life {H5315}: and I will bring {H935} evil {H7451} upon them, even my fierce {H2740} anger {H639}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; and I will send {H7971} the sword {H2719} after {H310} them, till I have consumed {H3615} them:

Complete Jewish Bible

I will break 'Eilam before their foes, before those who seek their lives; I will bring disaster on them, my burning anger,' says ADONAI. 'I will send the sword to pursue them until I have finished them off.

Berean Standard Bible

So I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who seek their lives. I will bring disaster upon them, even My fierce anger,” declares the LORD. “I will send out the sword after them until I finish them off.

American Standard Version

And I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life; and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith Jehovah; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 49:37 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against Elam, an ancient kingdom to the east of Babylonia. The verse vividly portrays the Lord's absolute sovereignty as He declares His intention to bring dismay, evil, and fierce anger upon Elam, orchestrating their defeat by their enemies and ultimately ensuring their complete consumption by the sword. This pronouncement underscores God's active role in the affairs of nations, demonstrating that even powerful empires are subject to His righteous judgment and sovereign will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 49:37 is situated within a larger section of the book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) dedicated to prophecies against foreign nations. This specific chapter focuses on Elam, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, and Kedar, serving as a divine declaration that God's authority extends beyond Israel to encompass all peoples and kingdoms. The immediate verses leading up to 49:37 describe Elam's pride and the Lord's intention to break its power, while the subsequent verse, [Jeremiah 49:38](/jeremiah/49-38 "Jeremiah 49:38 - Setting God's Throne in Elam"), speaks of setting God's throne in Elam, followed by a surprising promise of future restoration in [Jeremiah 49:39](/jeremiah/49-39 "Jeremiah 49:39 - Restoration of Elam"). This juxtaposition highlights the dual nature of God's dealings: judgment for sin, but also ultimate redemptive purposes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Elam (modern-day southwestern Iran) was a formidable ancient kingdom, known for its skilled archers and its long, often conflict-ridden, history with Mesopotamian powers like Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylon. At the time of Jeremiah's prophecy (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), Elam had experienced periods of both dominance and subjugation. The "enemies" mentioned in the verse likely refer to the rising Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, which was God's chosen instrument of judgment against many nations, including Judah. The cultural emphasis on military prowess, particularly archery, made the idea of Elam being "dismayed" and "consumed by the sword" a particularly potent image of their utter defeat and humiliation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting that the Lord, not earthly empires, holds ultimate control over the destiny of nations, raising up and casting down rulers as He wills (as seen in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")). It also emphasizes **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating that God's justice is universal, extending to all nations that engage in pride, idolatry, or opposition to His purposes, not just Israel (a theme echoed in [Amos 1-2](/amos/1 "Amos 1-2 - Oracles Against the Nations")). Finally, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Rebellion**, illustrating that defiance against God's moral order or His chosen instruments of judgment inevitably leads to severe retribution, culminating in destruction and dismay, as described throughout the book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Hope").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dismayed (Hebrew, _châthath'_):** From H2865, meaning "to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear; abolish, affright, be (make) afraid, amaze, beat down, discourage, (cause to) dismay, go down, scare, terrify." This word vividly portrays the psychological and spiritual impact of God's judgment on Elam, indicating a complete loss of courage, morale, and ability to resist, leading to utter helplessness before their adversaries.
* **Fierce anger (Hebrew, _chârôwn 'aph'_):** From H2740 (_chârôwn_) and H639 (_'aph_). _Chârôwn_ means "a burning of anger; sore displeasure, fierce(-ness), fury, (fierce) wrath(-ful)." _'Aph_ literally means "nose or nostril," but idiomatically refers to anger (from the rapid breathing in passion). The combination conveys an intense, consuming, and righteous indignation of God, signifying a powerful and unyielding wrath that will not be appeased until its purpose is fulfilled.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** From H3615, meaning "to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume); accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste." This word emphasizes the thoroughness and finality of the destruction God intends to bring upon Elam, indicating that their power and existence as a significant entity will be utterly brought to an end.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine agency behind Elam's downfall. The Lord declares His active role in orchestrating Elam's psychological and military collapse, ensuring they will be utterly terrified and rendered powerless in the face of their adversaries. This is not a mere prediction but a divine decree.
* **"and before them that seek their life":** This phrase intensifies the preceding one, specifying that Elam's dismay will occur in the presence of those who are actively pursuing their destruction and annihilation. It highlights the existential threat Elam faces, not just defeat, but the very seeking of their lives.
* **"and I will bring evil upon them, [even] my fierce anger":** Here, the Lord explicitly states the nature of the "evil" (Hebrew: _ra'_) He will bring, clarifying it as the manifestation of His "fierce anger." This "evil" is not moral wickedness but calamitous judgment, a direct outpouring of God's intense, burning wrath against Elam for their actions or as part of His sovereign plan for the nations.
* **"saith the LORD":** This is a prophetic formula (Hebrew: _nᵉ'um Yᵉhôvâh_) that authenticates the message as a direct utterance from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel and the sovereign ruler of all creation. It underscores the divine authority and certainty of the prophecy.
* **"and I will send the sword after them":** This clause reveals the primary instrument of God's judgment: the sword, symbolizing warfare, violence, and military conquest. The phrase "send... after them" implies a relentless pursuit, ensuring that judgment will follow Elam wherever they go, leaving no escape.
* **"till I have consumed them":** This final clause emphasizes the comprehensive and ultimate nature of the judgment. The sword will not merely wound or weaken Elam but will continue its destructive work until the nation is utterly "consumed," brought to an end, or thoroughly devastated, fulfilling the divine decree.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 49:37 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message of divine judgment. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, where God is described with human-like actions and emotions, such as "cause... to be dismayed," "bring evil," "my fierce anger," and "send the sword." This makes God's active involvement and emotional intensity in the judgment palpable. The phrase "fierce anger" is an **idiom** (literally "burning of nose/face"), vividly conveying intense wrath. **Metonymy** is present in "the sword," which stands for warfare, destruction, and military defeat. The entire verse functions as a **prophecy of doom**, a common genre in prophetic literature, characterized by its declarative tone ("I will cause," "I will bring," "I will send") and its focus on future calamitous events as a result of divine decree. The repeated "I will" creates a strong sense of **divine resolve** and **unwavering purpose**, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty over the fate of nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 49:37 serves as a profound theological statement on God's universal sovereignty and His righteous judgment over all nations, not just Israel. It dismantles any notion of nationalistic deities or limited divine jurisdiction, asserting that Yahweh is the supreme ruler of history, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires according to His perfect will. The "fierce anger" mentioned is not capricious but a holy indignation against pride, injustice, and opposition to His divine plan. This judgment, while severe, often serves a dual purpose: to punish sin and to clear the way for God's ultimate redemptive purposes, as hinted at in the subsequent promise of Elam's restoration. The verse reminds humanity that no nation, however powerful, is beyond divine accountability.

* [Isaiah 13:1-22](/isaiah/13-1 "Isaiah 13:1-22 - Prophecy Against Babylon") - This passage, particularly verses 17-18, similarly describes God raising up foreign nations (the Medes) as instruments of His fierce anger to bring judgment upon Babylon, mirroring the theme of divine orchestration of national destinies.
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Frustrates the Plans of Nations") - This psalm declares, "The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations," directly affirming God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers.
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness") - Paul states, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men," underscoring that divine judgment is a universal principle against sin, applicable to all who reject God's truth, whether individuals or nations.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 49:37, while a prophecy of ancient judgment, carries enduring relevance for contemporary reflection. It compels us to confront the reality of God's active involvement in human history and His unwavering commitment to justice. In a world often characterized by nationalistic pride, geopolitical tensions, and the pursuit of power, this verse serves as a sobering reminder that all earthly authorities are ultimately subordinate to the divine will. It challenges us to consider the moral and spiritual health of our own nations, recognizing that God's principles of righteousness apply universally. For the individual believer, it fosters a deeper trust in God's sovereign control, even amidst global turmoil, and encourages humility, knowing that all human endeavors are subject to His ultimate decree. It also calls us to intercession for our leaders and nations, seeking alignment with God's purposes rather than defiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God's "fierce anger" against a nation like Elam shape your understanding of divine justice and holiness?**
* **In what ways might nations today, through their policies or actions, be unknowingly setting themselves against God's sovereign purposes?**
* **How does acknowledging God's absolute sovereignty over nations impact your prayers for global events and political leaders?**
* **What personal or communal attitudes might lead to a "dismayed" state, and how can we cultivate trust in God's power instead?**

### FAQ

**What was Elam, and why was it singled out for prophecy?**

Answer: Elam (H5867, _ʻÊylâm_) was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwestern Iran, east of Mesopotamia. It was a powerful kingdom with a long history of interaction, often conflict, with its Mesopotamian neighbors like Sumer, Akkad, and Babylon. Jeremiah singled out Elam, along with other surrounding nations (e.g., Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar), to demonstrate the Lord's universal sovereignty and His authority over all peoples and kingdoms, not just Judah. These prophecies served to show that God's judgment was not limited to His covenant people but extended to all who acted in pride or wickedness, or who stood in the way of His divine plan for history, often through the instrument of the rising Babylonian Empire (see [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")).

**Does God's "fierce anger" mean He is capricious or unjust?**

Answer: No, God's "fierce anger" (H2740, _chârôwn_ H639, _'aph_) in this context does not imply capriciousness or injustice. In biblical theology, divine anger is always righteous and purposeful, a holy response to sin, rebellion, and injustice. It is an expression of His perfect character, which cannot tolerate unrighteousness. While it leads to severe judgment, it is always consistent with His moral law and sovereign plan. In the case of nations like Elam, their judgment was often tied to their idolatry, violence, or opposition to God's people or His broader redemptive purposes, as seen in various prophecies against nations in [Isaiah 13-23](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13-23 - Prophecies Against Nations") and [Ezekiel 25-32](/ekekiel/25 "Ezekiel 25-32 - Prophecies Against Nations").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 49:37 speaks of God's judgment on an ancient nation, its core message of divine sovereignty and the ultimate accountability of all earthly powers finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in Christ. Jesus Christ is revealed as the one through whom God's sovereign rule is fully established, not just over individual nations but over all creation. The "fierce anger" of God against sin, so vividly portrayed in this verse, is supremely manifested in the cross, where the wrath due to humanity's rebellion was poured out upon the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ, who became sin for us. Through His death and resurrection, Christ disarmed the powers and authorities (as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), demonstrating His ultimate dominion over all spiritual and earthly forces that seek to oppose God. The "sword" of judgment, though literal for Elam, becomes a metaphor for the "word of God, which is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" ([Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Power of God's Word")), by which Christ judges and rules. Ultimately, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, will return to execute final judgment and establish His eternal kingdom, where all nations will bow before Him, either in submission or in judgment, fulfilling the universal scope of God's sovereignty declared in Jeremiah 49:37 (as prophesied in [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")).

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 9:16

I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.

Jeremiah 48:2

[There shall be] no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from [being] a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.

Psalms 48:4

For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

Psalms 48:6

Fear took hold upon them there, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail.

Jeremiah 49:29

Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear [is] on every side.

Jeremiah 49:24

Damascus is waxed feeble, [and] turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on [her]: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.

Leviticus 26:33

And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.