Jeremiah 49:6

And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.

And afterward {H310} I will bring again {H7725} the captivity {H7622} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

But afterwards, I will bring back the exiles of 'Amon," says ADONAI.

Yet afterward I will restore the Ammonites from captivity,” declares the LORD.

But afterward I will bring back the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith Jehovah.

Commentary on Jeremiah 49:6 KJV

Jeremiah 49:6 presents a striking promise of future restoration for the Ammonites, a people who had historically been adversaries of Israel. This verse stands in stark contrast to the preceding verses (Jeremiah 49:1-5), which detail a severe prophecy of judgment against Ammon for their pride, idolatry, and encroachment upon Israelite territory.

Context

The book of Jeremiah contains a significant section (chapters 46-51) dedicated to prophecies against various foreign nations. These prophecies demonstrate God's universal sovereignty, showing that His authority extends beyond Israel to all peoples and kingdoms. The focus on Ammon in Jeremiah 49:1-6 describes their impending desolation, particularly their capital, Rabbah, and the humiliation of their god Milcom (also called Molech). The Ammonites, descendants of Lot, had a long history of conflict with Israel, often aligning with their enemies (e.g., Judges 3:13, 1 Samuel 11:1). Yet, amidst this pronouncement of divine wrath, verse 6 offers a surprising and hopeful turn, declaring, "And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD."

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Justice: God's judgment on Ammon underscores His justice against pride, idolatry, and aggression. However, His ability to "bring again the captivity" highlights His ultimate control over the destiny of nations, demonstrating that His power extends beyond mere destruction to include the capacity for renewal.
  • Mercy Amidst Judgment: This verse beautifully illustrates the principle of God's mercy tempering His judgment. Even for a hostile nation like Ammon, God's long-term plan includes a measure of restoration. This pattern is also seen in prophecies concerning other nations, such as Moab (Jeremiah 48:47) and Elam (Jeremiah 49:39).
  • Hope Beyond Despair: The promise of restoration provides a beacon of hope even in the darkest prophecies. It suggests that even after experiencing severe consequences for their actions, there is a future possibility for a turnaround, indicating God's redemptive character.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bring again the captivity" translates the Hebrew shuv shevut (שוב שבות). This idiom can mean literally "to bring back from captivity" or, more broadly, "to restore the fortunes" or "reverse the state of affairs." It signifies a complete reversal from a state of desolation, implying not just a physical return but a renewal of prosperity and well-being. This powerful phrase emphasizes God's active role in transforming a nation's destiny.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 49:6 offers profound lessons for today. It reminds us that:

  1. God's Grace Extends Broadly: God's mercy is not limited to those who are historically "His people" but can extend to all, even former adversaries, demonstrating His boundless compassion and desire for restoration.
  2. Hope for the Repentant: Even after experiencing the consequences of sin or bad choices, there is always hope for a turn-around and restoration when God is involved. This applies to individuals, communities, and even nations.
  3. Divine Plans Are Sovereign: God's plans are often complex and surprising, incorporating both judgment and mercy. We can trust in His ultimate wisdom and control over all circumstances.

This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's enduring character—a God who judges sin but also offers the possibility of mercy and restoration.

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.

  • Jeremiah 49:39

    But it shall come to pass in the latter days, [that] I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 48:47

    Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far [is] the judgment of Moab.

  • Isaiah 19:18

    ¶ In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.

  • Isaiah 19:23

    In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

  • Ezekiel 16:53

    When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then [will I bring again] the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them:

  • Isaiah 23:18

    And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

  • Jeremiah 46:26

    And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back