Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Jeremiah 49:21

Next

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

The earth {H776} is moved {H7493} at the noise {H6963} of their fall {H5307}, at the cry {H6818} the noise {H6963} thereof was heard {H8085} in the Red {H5488} sea {H3220}.

The earth quakes at the sound of their fall; their cry can be heard at the Sea of Suf.

At the sound of their fall the earth will quake; their cry will resound to the Red Sea.

The earth trembleth at the noise of their fall; there is a cry, the noise whereof is heard in the Red Sea.

Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 49:21

Jeremiah 49 is part of a larger section in the book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) containing prophecies against various foreign nations. Specifically, verses 7-22 of chapter 49 are directed against Edom, the descendants of Esau, who were often hostile neighbors to Israel. Edom's consistent animosity towards God's people, their pride (Jeremiah 49:16), and their tendency to exploit Judah's misfortunes (as seen in Obadiah 1:11-14) provoked God's stern judgment. Jeremiah 49:21 vividly describes the overwhelming scale and impact of this impending divine retribution against Edom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Magnitude of Divine Judgment: This verse underscores the vastness and severity of God's judgment against Edom. The "noise of their fall" and "cry" are so immense they reverberate across great distances, signifying a complete and devastating collapse.
  • God's Universal Sovereignty: The prophecy demonstrates that God is not just the God of Israel but the sovereign ruler over all nations. He holds all accountable for their actions, even those who boast of their impregnable fortresses and wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7).
  • Far-Reaching Consequences of Sin: The imagery of the sound reaching the Red Sea illustrates that the consequences of Edom's pride and hostility will be widely known and deeply felt, serving as a powerful testament to the outcome of opposing God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "noise" and "cry" to translate the Hebrew words qol and tse'aqah, respectively. Qol (noise/voice) here implies a thunderous, impactful sound, often associated with a great event or even the voice of God. Tse'aqah (cry) refers to a loud outcry, typically one of distress, lamentation, or a desperate plea. The combination paints a picture of a cataclysmic downfall, accompanied by widespread wailing. The "Red Sea" (Hebrew: Yam Suph) is a geographical reference, emphasizing the extreme distance the sound travels, making the judgment undeniable and universally acknowledged.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah 49:21 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • God's Justice is Unavoidable: No nation or individual can escape the ultimate accountability before God. While God is patient and merciful, His justice will surely come for unrepentant pride and hostility (Proverbs 16:18).
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The verse highlights the profound and far-reaching impact of sin, particularly the sin of pride and animosity against God's purposes. The "noise" and "cry" signify the immense spiritual and physical fallout.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: For believers, this passage reinforces the assurance that God is in control. He sees all injustice and will, in His perfect timing, execute righteous judgment, allowing us to trust in His divine justice and ultimate plan.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 50:46 (5 votes)

    At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.

  • Ezekiel 21:16 (2 votes)

    Go thee one way or other, [either] on the right hand, [or] on the left, whithersoever thy face [is] set.

  • Revelation 18:10 (2 votes)

    Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

  • Isaiah 14:4 (2 votes)

    ¶ That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!

  • Isaiah 14:15 (2 votes)

    Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

  • Ezekiel 32:10 (2 votes)

    Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at [every] moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall.

  • Ezekiel 26:15 (2 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyrus; Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?