Jeremiah 50:44

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who [is] a chosen [man, that] I may appoint over her? for who [is] like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who [is] that shepherd that will stand before me?

Behold, he shall come up {H5927} like a lion {H738} from the swelling {H1347} of Jordan {H3383} unto the habitation {H5116} of the strong {H386}: but I will make {H7323} them suddenly {H7280} run away {H7323}{H7323} from her: and who is a chosen {H977} man, that I may appoint {H6485} over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time {H3259}? and who is that shepherd {H7462} that will stand {H5975} before {H6440} me?

"It will be like a lion coming up from the thickets of the Yarden against a strong settlement; in an instant I will chase him away and appoint over it whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who can call me to account? What shepherd can stand up to me?"

Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Babylon from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”

Behold, the enemy shall come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong habitation: for I will suddenly make them run away from it; and whoso is chosen, him will I appoint over it: for who is like me? and who will appoint me a time? and who is the shepherd that can stand before me?

Context of Jeremiah 50:44

Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51 contain extensive prophecies against Babylon, the powerful empire that had conquered Judah and destroyed Jerusalem. This specific verse, Jeremiah 50:44, is part of a broader declaration of Babylon's impending downfall, emphasizing God's absolute control over nations and their destinies. It serves as a stark reminder that even the strongest earthly powers are subject to the Lord's will and judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse unequivocally declares God's power to raise up and cast down nations. He is the one who orchestrates the invasion and ensures the swift defeat of Babylon, demonstrating His supreme authority over all earthly kingdoms.
  • Irresistible Force: The vivid metaphor of "a lion from the swelling of Jordan" portrays the sudden, overwhelming, and destructive force that God will unleash against Babylon. This imagery suggests an unavoidable and terrifying assault that the mighty Babylonian empire cannot withstand.
  • God's Uniqueness and Authority: The rhetorical questions "who is like me?", "who will appoint me the time?", and "who is that shepherd that will stand before me?" highlight God's incomparable nature. He is supreme, omniscient, and no earthly ruler or false god can challenge His dominion or dictate His actions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "like a lion from the swelling of Jordan" is a potent biblical metaphor. Lions were known to inhabit the thickets along the Jordan River, and the seasonal flooding (the "swelling") would drive them out, often into populated areas, signifying a sudden, fierce, and terrifying attack. This imagery is used elsewhere in Jeremiah to describe invading forces, such as in Jeremiah 49:19, where it refers to Nebuchadnezzar. Here, it is God's instrument against Babylon. The "habitation of the strong" refers to Babylon, a city renowned for its fortifications and perceived invincibility. The term "shepherd" (רֹעֶה, ro'eh in Hebrew) often refers to a ruler or leader in biblical texts, reinforcing the idea that no human authority or false deity can stand against God's ultimate plan and power.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 50:44 offers enduring truths for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God is in Control: Even in times of global turmoil or personal distress, God remains sovereign over all nations and events. No power, human or otherwise, can thwart His ultimate plan or dictate His timing.
  • Pride Precedes a Fall: Babylon's arrogance and perceived invincibility ultimately led to its downfall. This serves as a timeless warning against human pride and self-reliance, encouraging humility and dependence on God.
  • Trust in God's Justice: The verse assures us that God will ultimately bring justice to those who oppress and defy Him, providing comfort and hope for those who suffer under unrighteous rule. It encourages us to leave vengeance to the Lord, knowing He will execute perfect judgment in His time.
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 49:19

    Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who [is] a chosen [man, that] I may appoint over her? for who [is] like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who [is] that shepherd that will stand before me?

  • Jeremiah 49:21

    The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.

  • Exodus 15:11

    Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?

  • Isaiah 41:25

    I have raised up [one] from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as [upon] morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.

  • Isaiah 46:9

    Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me,

  • Isaiah 40:25

    To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

  • Psalms 89:6

    For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? [who] among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

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