Jeremiah49chapter 49

Jeremiah 49:7

“Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts,.... Or, "unto Edom" (i), thus saith the Lord; or, "against Edom" (k); all which is true, as observed on Jer 49:1; meaning the Idumeans, the posterity of Esau, who was called Edom. Kimchi thinks this respects time yet future, and points at the destruction of Rome, and the Romans, who with the Jews frequently go by the name of Edom; and Abarbinel is of the same mind.”

Jeremiah 49:7

“Edom stretched along the south of Judah from the border of Moab on the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean and the Arabian deserts, and held the same relation to Judah which Moab held toward the kingdom of Israel. Although expressly reserved from attack by Moses Deu 2:5, a long feud caused the Edomites to cherish so bitter an enmity against Judah, that they exulted with cruel joy over the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldaeans, and showed great cruelty toward those why fled to them for refuge.”

Jeremiah 49:7

“Many of the prophets foretold their ruin, Jeremiah in this place, Ezek xxv, 12-14 Joel iii, 19 Amos ix, 11, 12, and others. Teman - Was a city of Edom. Dedan - Was a city of Arabia joining to Idumea, Isaiah xxi, 13, they being neighbours to the Edomites are called to flee, and to get into caves, where they might dwell deep in the earth and be in some security.”

Jeremiah 49:7

“Many of the expressions used in this prophecy concerning Edom are borrowed from the prophecy of Obadiah, which is concerning Edom; for, all the prophets being inspired by one and the same Spirit, there must needs be a wonderful harmony and agreement in their predictions. Now here it is foretold, I.”

Jeremiah 49:8

“Dwell deep - An allusion to the custom of the Arabs, who, when about to be attacked by a powerful foe, strike their tents, pack up their utensils, lade their camels, which they can do in a couple of hours, and set off to the great desert, and so bury themselves in it that no enemy either will or can pursue, as it is the Arabs alone that know the deserts, and can find water and provender for their support. Dedan - Was a city of Idumea, not far from Teman.”

Jeremiah 49:8

WE do not quite know who these inhabitants of Dedan were, but in all probability they were some Arabian tribe or tribes. Perhaps they were descendants of Keturah. This Arabian tribe probably dwelt in the rock city of Petra and were mingled with the Edomites. The Prophet warned them that God was about to destroy the Edomites—"For I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes."

Jeremiah 49:8

“Dedan--a tribe bordering on and made subject by Idumea; descended from Jokshan, son of Abraham and Keturah (Ge 25:1-3). Esau--The naming of Edom's progenitor, reprobated by God, recalls the remembrance of the old curse on him for his profanity, both his sin and its punishment being perpetuated in his descendants (Heb 12:16, 17).”

Jeremiah 49:10

“Jeremiah refers to these angels as a fortification, although Symmachus interprets this [word] as a message, but one could also consider it in the sense of a "siege." Taking it this way, God calls together many nations for war as a sign against Idumea and the angels are set in motion by him. And, having been set in motion by God for war, they incite others to fight [with them], as Obadiah says. For the surrounding nations were allied with Israel against Idumea.”

Jeremiah 49:11

“Thy fatherless and widows must rest their hope in God alone, as none of the adult males shall be left alive, so desperate will be the affairs of Edom. The verse also, besides this threat, implies a promise of mercy to Esau in God's good time, as there was to Moab and Ammon (Jer 49:6; Jer 48:47); the extinction of the adult males is the prominent idea (compare Jer 49:12).”

Jeremiah 49:12

“Art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? - A similar form of speech appears, Jer 25:29. Others, less wicked than thou, have been punished and canst thou expect to escape? Thou shalt not escape.”

Jeremiah 49:12

“It might have been expected that they would be spared. He regards not the merits of the Jews, for they were as bad or worse than others: but the grace and adoption of God; it is just and natural ("judgment") that God should pardon His sons sooner than aliens [CALVIN].”

Jeremiah 49:14

“He used the phrase "he sent messengers to the nations" to mean "command." It is also likely that by divine command ministering angels stirred up the enemy. Remember that the divine David also says, "He sent forth on them the wrath of his anger; anger, …”

Jeremiah 49:14

“I have heard a rumor - The Lord has revealed to me what he is about to do to the Edomites. An ambassador is sent - I believe this means only that God has given permission, and has stirred up the hearts of these nations to go against those whom he has doomed to destruction.”

Jeremiah 49:16

“Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart,.... Some render it, "thine idol" (o); see 1Ki 15:13; which, being terrible to them, they thought it might be so to others, and protect them. In the place referred to the word "miphlezeth" is used, and comes from the same root with this, which signifies to be terrible and formidable, and cause to tremble, as the idols of the Gentiles were to their worshippers, and others.”

Jeremiah 49:16

“O thou that dwellest - All Idumea is full of mountains and rocks, and these rocks and mountains full of caves, where, in time of great heats, and in time of war, the people take shelter.”

Jeremiah 49:17

“Also Edom shall be a desolation,.... Not only Bozrah, its principal city, before spoken of, but the whole country of Idumea should be laid waste; its fortified cities destroyed; its riches plundered; and its inhabitants slain with the sword; or carried captive: everyone that goeth by it shall be astonished; at the desolation made, so suddenly and so universally: and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof; rejoice at them; clap their hands, and shake their heads, as the Targum; and hiss with their tongues, insulting and deriding them.”

Jeremiah 49:18

“As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah,.... Which was so sudden and general, that nothing was left, or any spared; so should it be with Edom: and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord; the cities that were in the plain, Admah and Zeboim: no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it; that is, of the race of Edom; no Idumean should inhabit it; otherwise those who conquered it should, and doubtless did.”

Jeremiah 49:18

“As in the overthrow of Sodom - The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring cities was so terrible, that, when God denounces judgments against incorrigible sinners, he tells them they shall be like Sodom and Gomorrah. No man shall abide there - It shall be so desolate as not to be habitable. Travellers may lodge on the ground for a night; but it cannot become a permanent dwelling.”

Jeremiah 49:19

“Behold, he shall come up like a lion - See the note on Jer 12:5. The similitude used here is well illustrated by Dr. Blayney: “When I shall occasion a like commotion in her (Idumea) as a fierce and strong lion may be supposed to do in the sheep-folds, then I will cause him (the man of whom it is said in the preceding verse that he should not dwell in it) to run away from her as the affrighted shepherds and their flocks run from the lion.” A chosen man - Nebuchadnezzar.”

Jeremiah 49:19

“English Version accords more with the Hebrew. suddenly--"in the twinkling of an eye," as the Hebrew implies. him . . . her--I will make Nebuzara-dan enter Idumea, and then, having in the twinkling of an eye effected the conquest, go away speedily: elsewhere.”

Jeremiah 49:20

“The inhabitants of Teman - Taken here for the whole of Idumea. These are a kind of synonyms which prevent monotony, and give variety to the poet’s versification. Surely the least or the flock shall draw them out - They shall be like timid sheep; the weakest foe shall overcome them.”

Jeremiah 49:23

“Though the superscription is confined to Damascus, the prophecy relates to the whole of Aram, called by us Syria, which was divided into two parts, the northern, of which Hamath was the capital, and the southeastern, belonging to Damascus. Hamath is confounded - Or, is ashamed. For Hamath see Isa 10:9 note. Arpad lay about fourteen miles north of Aleppo, at a place now called Tel Erfad. Fainthearted - The sinews are relaxed unknit, through terror. There is sorrow on the sea - In the sea.”

Jeremiah 49:23

“Prophecy as to Damascus, &c. The kingdom of Damascus was destroyed by Assyria, but the city revived, and it is as to the latter Jeremiah now prophesies. The fulfilment was probably about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 10.9,7].”

Jeremiah 49:24

And turneth - Omit and. The original is a rapid sequence of unconnected sentences. “Damascus is unnerved; she turned to flee, and a trembling seized her; anguish and writhings took hold of her etc.”

Jeremiah 49:25

“How is the city of praise not left,.... The city of Damascus, famous for its antiquity, its wealth and riches, strength and power; and with the Heathens for its devotion and superstition. So Julian (i) the emperor calls it, "the truly city of Jupiter; the eye of the whole east; Damascus the holy and the greatest;'' but more especially for its delightful and pleasant situation.”

Jeremiah 49:25

“An exclamation of sorrow wrung from the prophet at the thought of the people of Damascus remaining to be slaughtered. The words my joy express the prophet’s own sympathy. The praise of Damascus for beauty has been universal from the days of Naaman 2Ki 5:12, to those of recent travelers.”

Jeremiah 49:27

“And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus,.... Signifying either that, a breach being made there the destruction of the city should begin, and be carried on until it was completed; or it may be understood literally, that first the houses built upon the wall should beset on fire by the Chaldeans, through the divine permission, and according to his order and wilt, and therefore ascribed to him, which should proceed further.”

Jeremiah 49:27

“The palaces of Ben-hadad - Damascus was a seat of the Syrian kings, and Ben-hadad was a name common to several of its kings.”

Jeremiah 49:28

“Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor,.... A new prophecy concerning the Arabians; for Kedar was a son of Ishmael, Gen 25:13; whose posterity inhabited Arabia Petraea.”

Jeremiah 49:28

“Concerning Kedar, and Concerning the Kingdoms of Hazor - This is the title of another new prophecy. Kedar was the name of one of the sons of Ishmael (Gen 25:13) who settled in Arabia, and who gave name to a powerful tribe of Arabs who used to traffic with the Tyrians in cattle. It appears from this prophecy that Nebuchadnezzar got a commission to go against and reduce them to great misery.”

Jeremiah 49:28

“Kedar - Was one of the sons of Ishmael, whose posterity inhabited part of Arabia Petraea. Hazor was the head city to several kingdoms in Joshua's time.”

Jeremiah 49:29

“Curtains - The hangings of the tents. Fear is on every side - Magor-missabib (see Jer 6:25 note); a cry, indicating the panic which followed the unexpected onset of the enemy.”

Jeremiah 49:29

“No marvel there are fears on every side when there are foes on every side. What they have will be a prey to the Chaldeans; they shall take to themselves their curtains and vessels; though they are but plain and coarse, and they have better of their own, yet they shall take them for spite, and spoil for spoiling sake.”

Jeremiah 49:30

“Dwell deep - Retire into the depths of the desert. See on Jer 49:8 (note). Inhabitants of Hazor - I cannot find this place. It was no doubt in Arabia, and a place of considerable importance; but it is now no more.”

Jeremiah 49:31

“The wealthy nation - Or, a nation at rest, living securely and in confidence. Which dwell alone - They dwell alone, i. e., have neither alliances with other nations, nor contact by commerce.”

Jeremiah 49:32

“The utmost corners - Even in these utmost inaccessible recesses the sword and pillage shall reach them. “‘The utmost corners;’ insulated coasts; the peninsula of Arabia.” - Blayney.”

Jeremiah 49:33

“And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever,.... The city of Hazor, as well as the kingdoms of it; the royal city, where their king and principal men dwelt; even this should be no more inhabited by men, but by dragons, and the wild beasts of the field, and so remain for ever, at least a long time; see Isa 13:20; there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it: signifying the utter desolation of it; See Gill on Jer 49:18.”

Jeremiah 49:33

“Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons - Shall be turned into a wilderness. A desolation for ever - Never to be repeopled. There shalt no man abide there - It may occasionally be visited, but never made a permanent abode.”

Jeremiah 49:34

“The Word - Against Elam - Another new head of prophecy. As this was delivered in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, it can have no natural nor historical connection with the other prophecies in this various chapter. Some think that by Elam Persia is always meant; but this is not at all likely. It was a part of the Babylonian empire in the time of Daniel, (Dan 8:2), and is most probably what is called Elymais by the Greeks. This, with Susiana, Nebuchadnezzar subdued, and took from Astyages, king of Media.”

Jeremiah 49:34

“Elam--part of Susiana, west of Persia proper, but used to designate Persia in general. Elam proper, or Elymais, nearer Judea than Persia, is probably here meant; it had helped Nebuchadnezzar against Judea; hence its punishment. It may have been idolatrous, whereas Persia proper was mainly monotheistic.”

Jeremiah 49:34-39

“The Ammonites were next, both in kindred and neighbourhood, to the Moabites, and therefore are next set to the bar. Their country joined to that of the two tribes and a half, on the other side Jordan, and was but a bad neighbour; however, being a neighbour, they shall have a share in these circular predictions.”

Jeremiah 49:35

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I will break the bow of Elam,.... The inhabitants of this country were famous for their skill in archery; See Gill on Isa 22:6; this the Lord threatens to break, so that it, should be useless, and of no more service to them to defend themselves, or annoy others.”

Jeremiah 49:36

“And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven,.... The Targum interprets it the four kingdoms; see Dan 7:”

Jeremiah 49:36

“Will I bring the four winds - Nebuchadnezzar and his armies, gathered out of different provinces, and attacking this people at all points in the same time. There shall be no nation, etc. - They shall be scattered through the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of which the Babylonish empire is composed.”

Jeremiah 49:38

“And I will set my throne in Elam,.... Either when Alexander subdued it, or Cyrus, or rather Nebuchadnezzar, whose palace probably was, as it is certain his successors was, in Shushan in Elam, as before observed from Dan 8:”

Jeremiah 49:38

“I will set my throne in Elam - This is spoken either of Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus. It is certain that Cyrus did render himself master of Elymais and Media, which are in the land of Elam.”

Jeremiah 49:38

“I will show Myself King by My judgments there, as though My tribunal were erected there. The throne of Cyrus, God's instrument, set up over Media, of which Elam was a part, may be meant [GROTIUS]; or rather, that of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 43:10).”

Jeremiah 49:39

"It shall come to pass in later days that I will bring back the captives of Elam," which refers to the time after seventy years of Jewish exile, when Cyrus, after destroying the Chaldean kingdom, would return all captured and enslaved people to their native …

Jeremiah 49:39

“Elam - Elam was subject to Babylon Dan 8:2, and its capital Shushan a favorite residence of the Persian kings Est 1:2. Of its subsequent fate we know little; the Elamites continued to exist, and members of their nation were present at Pentecost among those chosen to represent the Gentile world at the first preaching of the Gospel Act 2:9.”

Jeremiah 49:39

“But - We had the like promise as to Moab, chap. xlviii, 47, and as to Ammon, ver. xlix, 6, the same latter days either signify after many days, or in the time of the Messiah. In the former sense it may refer to Cyrus, who conquered Persia. In the latter sense it refers to the spiritual liberty which some of these poor Heathens were brought into by the gospel.”

Jeremiah 49:39

“But this promise was to have its full and principal accomplishment in the days of the Messiah, when we find Elamites particularly among those who, when the Holy Ghost was given, heard spoken in their own tongues the wonderful works of God ( Acts ii. 9, 11 ), and that is the most desirable return of the captivity.”

Jeremiah 49:39

“39 But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the L ORD . This prophecy is dated in the beginning of Zedekiah's reign; it is probable that the other prophecies against the Gentiles, going before, were at the same time.”