Jeremiah 49

A Message About Ammon

1 Concerning the Ammonites: This is what the LORD says: “Has Israel no sons? Has Israel no heir? Why then has Molek^[a] taken possession of Gad? Why do his people live in its towns?

2 But the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites; it will become a mound of ruins, and its surrounding villages will be set on fire. Then Israel will drive out those who drove her out,” says the LORD.

3 “Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is destroyed! Cry out, you inhabitants of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn; rush here and there inside the walls, for Molek will go into exile, together with his priests and officials.

4 Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’

5 I will bring terror on you from all those around you,” declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty. “Every one of you will be driven away, and no one will gather the fugitives.

6 “Yet afterward, I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites,” declares the LORD.

A Message About Edom

7 Concerning Edom: This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?

8 Turn and flee, hide in deep caves, you who live in Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time when I punish him.

9 If grape pickers came to you, would they not leave a few grapes? If thieves came during the night, would they not steal only as much as they wanted?

10 But I will strip Esau bare; I will uncover his hiding places, so that he cannot conceal himself. His armed men are destroyed, also his allies and neighbors, so there is no one to say,

11 ‘Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive. Your widows too can depend on me.’ ”

12 This is what the LORD says: “If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it.

13 I swear by myself,” declares the LORD, “that Bozrah will become a ruin and a curse,^[b] an object of horror and reproach; and all its towns will be in ruins forever.”

14 I have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Assemble yourselves to attack it! Rise up for battle!”

15 “Now I will make you small among the nations, despised by mankind.

16 The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

17 “Edom will become an object of horror; all who pass by will be appalled and will scoff because of all its wounds.

18 As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown, along with their neighboring towns,” says the LORD, “so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it.

19 “Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Edom from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?”

20 Therefore, hear what the LORD has planned against Edom, what he has purposed against those who live in Teman: The young of the flock will be dragged away; their pasture will be appalled at their fate.

21 At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble; their cry will resound to the Red Sea.^[c]

22 Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.

A Message About Damascus

23 Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are dismayed, for they have heard bad news. They are disheartened, troubled like^[d] the restless sea.

24 Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor.

25 Why has the city of renown not been abandoned, the town in which I delight?

26 Surely, her young men will fall in the streets; all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,” declares the LORD Almighty.

27 “I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.”

A Message About Kedar and Hazor

28 Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked: This is what the LORD says: “Arise, and attack Kedar and destroy the people of the East.

29 Their tents and their flocks will be taken; their shelters will be carried off with all their goods and camels. People will shout to them, ‘Terror on every side!’

30 “Flee quickly away! Stay in deep caves, you who live in Hazor,” declares the LORD. “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has plotted against you; he has devised a plan against you.

31 “Arise and attack a nation at ease, which lives in confidence,” declares the LORD, “a nation that has neither gates nor bars; its people live far from danger.

32 Their camels will become plunder, and their large herds will be spoils of war. I will scatter to the winds those who are in distant places^[e]and will bring disaster on them from every side,” declares the LORD.

33 “Hazor will become a haunt of jackals, a desolate place forever. No one will live there; no people will dwell in it.”

A Message About Elam

34 This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah:

35 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “See, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.

36 I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam’s exiles do not go.

37 I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who want to kill them; I will bring disaster on them, even my fierce anger,” declares the LORD. “I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them.

38 I will set my throne in Elam and destroy her king and officials,” declares the LORD.

39 “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,” declares the LORD.

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Jeremiah 49 Commentary

Chapter 49

Prophecies relative to the Ammonites. (1-6) The Edomites. (7-22) The Syrians. (23-27) The Kedarenes. (28-33) The Elamites. (34-39)

1-6. Might often prevails against right among men, yet that might shall be controlled by the Almighty, who judges aright; and those will find themselves mistaken, who, like the Ammonites, think every thing their own on which they can lay their hands. The Lord will call men to account for every instance of dishonesty, especially to the destitute.

Verses 7-22 The Edomites were old enemies to the Israel of God. But their day is now at hand; it is foretold, not only to warn them, but for the sake of the Israel of God, whose afflictions were aggravated by them. Thus Divine judgments go round from nation to nation; the earth is full of commotion, and nothing can escape the ministers of Divine vengeance. The righteousness of God is to be observed amidst the violence of men.

Verses 23-27 How easily God can dispirit those nations that have been most celebrated for valour! Damascus waxes feeble. It was a city of joy, having all the delights of the sons of men. But those deceive themselves who place their happiness in carnal joys.

Verses 28-33 Nebuchadnezzar would make desolation among the people of Kedar, who dwelt in the deserts of Arabia. He who conquered many strong cities, will not leave those unconquered that dwell in tents. He will do this to gratify his own covetousness and ambition; but God orders it for correcting an unthankful people, and for warning a careless world to expect trouble when they seem most safe. They shall flee, get far off, and dwell deep in the deserts; they shall be dispersed. But privacy and obscurity are not always protection and security.

Verses 34-39 The Elamites were the Persians; they acted against God's Israel, and must be reckoned with. Evil pursues sinners. God will make them know that he reigns. Yet the destruction of Elam shall not be for ever. But this promise was to have its full accomplishment in the days of the Messiah. In reading the Divine assurance of the destruction of all the enemies of the church, the believer sees that the issue of the holy war is not doubtful. It is blessed to recollect, that He who is for us, is more than all against us. And he will subdue the enemies of our souls.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 94

1. S Genesis 19:38; S 1 Samuel 11:1-11; 2 Samuel 10:1-19; Amos 1:13; Zephaniah 2:8-9
2. S Leviticus 18:21
3. Genesis 30:11
4. S Jeremiah 4:19
5. S Deuteronomy 3:11
6. S Deuteronomy 13:16
7. S Isaiah 14:2; S Jeremiah 30:16; Ezekiel 21:28-32; Ezekiel 25:2-11
8. S Joshua 13:26
9. S Genesis 12:8; S Joshua 8:28
10. S Genesis 37:34
11. Zephaniah 1:5
12. S Jeremiah 48:7
13. S Jeremiah 3:6
14. S Jeremiah 9:23; 1 Timothy 6:17
15. S Jeremiah 21:13
16. S Jeremiah 44:14
17. ver 39; Jeremiah 12:14-17; S Jeremiah 48:47
18. S Genesis 25:30; S Psalms 83:6; Ezekiel 25:12
19. S Ge 36:11,15,34
20. S Judges 6:2
21. S Genesis 10:7; S Genesis 25:3; Jeremiah 25:23
22. S Genesis 3:8
23. Isaiah 34:10-12; S Jeremiah 11:23; Ezekiel 35:4; Obadiah 1:18; Malachi 1:2-5
24. Hosea 14:3
25. S Deuteronomy 10:18; James 1:27
26. S Isaiah 51:23; S Jeremiah 25:15; Matthew 20:22
27. S Proverbs 11:31; Jeremiah 25:28-29
28. S Genesis 22:16
29. S Genesis 36:33; Isaiah 34:6
30. ver 17
31. Jeremiah 42:18
32. S Jeremiah 19:8; Ezekiel 35:9
33. Ezekiel 35:13; Obadiah 1:12
34. S Job 39:28
35. S Job 39:27; Amos 9:2
36. ver 13
37. S Deuteronomy 29:22; Jeremiah 50:13; Ezekiel 35:7
38. Jeremiah 23:14
39. S Genesis 19:24; Deuteronomy 29:23
40. ver 33; S Isaiah 34:10
41. S 1 Samuel 17:34
42. S Jeremiah 12:5
43. S Exodus 8:10; S 2 Chronicles 20:6; S Isaiah 46:5
44. S Job 9:19; Jeremiah 50:44
45. 1 Samuel 17:35
46. Isaiah 34:5
47. Isaiah 14:27
48. ver 7; S Genesis 36:11
49. Jeremiah 50:45
50. ver 10; Obadiah 1:10; Malachi 1:3-4
51. Jeremiah 50:45
52. Psalms 114:7; Ezekiel 26:15; Ezekiel 27:28; Ezekiel 31:16
53. Jeremiah 50:46; Jeremiah 51:29; Ezekiel 26:18
54. S Deuteronomy 28:49; Hosea 8:1; Habakkuk 1:8
55. S Genesis 36:33
56. Jeremiah 50:36; Nahum 3:13
57. Isaiah 13:8; Jeremiah 48:40-41
58. S Genesis 14:15; 2 Kings 14:28; 2 Chronicles 16:2; Acts 9:2
59. 1 Kings 8:65; Isaiah 10:9; Ezekiel 47:16; Amos 6:2; Zechariah 9:2
60. S 2 Kings 18:34; S 2 Kings 19:13
61. S Genesis 49:4; Isaiah 57:20
62. Jeremiah 13:21
63. S Isaiah 9:17; S Isaiah 13:18
64. Isaiah 17:12-14; Jeremiah 50:30
65. Jeremiah 21:14; Jeremiah 43:12; Jeremiah 50:32; Ezekiel 30:8; Ezekiel 39:6; Amos 1:4
66. S Genesis 14:15
67. Isaiah 17:1
68. S 1 Kings 15:18
69. S Genesis 25:13
70. S Joshua 11:1
71. S Jeremiah 10:22
72. S Judges 6:3
73. ver 32
74. S Jeremiah 6:25; Jeremiah 46:5
75. S Judges 6:2
76. Joshua 11:1
77. S Jeremiah 10:22
78. Ezekiel 38:11
79. S Judges 6:5
80. ver 29
81. ver 36; Jeremiah 13:24
82. S Jeremiah 9:26
83. S Joshua 11:1
84. S Isaiah 13:22
85. Jeremiah 48:9; Jeremiah 10:22
86. S ver 18; Jeremiah 51:37
87. S Genesis 10:22
88. 2 Kings 24:18
89. S Psalms 37:15; S Isaiah 22:6
90. S ver 32
91. Daniel 11:4
92. Jeremiah 30:24
93. Jeremiah 9:16; Ezekiel 32:24
94. S Jeremiah 48:47

Footnotes 5

[a]. Or "their king" ; also in verse 3
[b]. That is, its name will be used in cursing (see 29:22); or, others will see that it is cursed.
[c]. Or "the Sea of Reeds"
[d]. Hebrew "on" or "by"
[e]. Or "who clip the hair by their foreheads"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 49

This chapter contains prophecies concerning the judgments of God on several nations and kingdoms, chiefly bordering on the land of Israel; on the Ammonites, Jer 49:1-6; on the Edomites, Jer 49:7-22; on the kingdom of Damascus, or the Syrians, Jer 49:23-27; on the Kedarenes or Arabians, Jer 49:28-33; and on the Elamites or Persians, Jer 49:34-39.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible