Jeremiah 49:7

A Message About Edom

7 Here is what the LORD says about Edom. The LORD who rules over all says, "Isn't there wisdom in the town of Teman anymore? Can't those who are wise give advice? Has their wisdom disappeared completely?

Jeremiah 49:7 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 49:7

Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts
Or, "unto Edom" F9, thus saith the Lord; or, "against Edom" F11; all which is true, as observed on ( Jeremiah 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. And Cocceius is of opinion that the Jews are meant, and their destruction, with whom the Idumeans were incorporated before the coming of Christ, and had Herod, an Idumean, king over them; but it is best to understand the prophecy properly and literally of the Idumeans themselves; [is] wisdom no more in Teman?
a city in Edom, which had its name from Teman, a grandson of Esau, ( Genesis 36:11 ) ; whose descendants were called Temanites; one of which was Eliphaz, a friend of Job's, ( Job 2:11 ) ; it was a principal city, famous for men of wisdom; such an one was the person just mentioned: perhaps the grand senate of the country, or the chief counsellors, dwelt here; where schemes were formed for the good of the country in times of war or peace; or schools were kept here for the instruction of persons in various arts and sciences; and which had continued to this time, but now would be no more. The Targum is,

``is there no more wisdom in the south?''
but Jarchi better interprets it of Edom, which lay south to the land of Israel; is counsel perished from the prudent?
it was so, even from those that were the most famous for being prudent and understanding men; they were now at their wits' end, and knew not what course to take, nor what advice to give, in this their time of distress. The Targum renders it "from the children"; the sons of the Temanites, strangely degenerated from their ancestors; is their wisdom vanished?
or corrupted, as the Targum; or does it stink? according to the Rabbinical sense of the word; or infatuated, and become good for nothing? verily it was, it was useless, disregarded and despised.
FOOTNOTES:

F9 (Mwdal) "ad Idumeam", V. L. "ad Edom", Pagninus, Montanus.
F11 "Contra", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.

Jeremiah 49:7 In-Context

5 I will bring terror on you. It will come from all those who are around you," announces the Lord. He is the LORD who rules over all. "Every one of you will be driven away. No one will bring back those who escape.
6 "But after that, I will bless the people of Ammon with great success again," announces the Lord.
7 Here is what the LORD says about Edom. The LORD who rules over all says, "Isn't there wisdom in the town of Teman anymore? Can't those who are wise give advice? Has their wisdom disappeared completely?
8 Turn around and run away, you who live in Dedan. Hide in deep caves. I will bring trouble on Esau's family line. I will do it at the time I punish them.
9 Edom, suppose grape pickers came to harvest your vines. They would still leave a few grapes. Suppose robbers came at night. They would steal only as much as they wanted.
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