Jeremiah 49:2-12

2 Therefore look, the days are coming- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration- when I will make the shout of battle[a] heard against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a desolate mound, and its villages will be burned down. Israel will dispossess their dispossessors, says the Lord.
3 Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is devastated; cry out, daughters of Rabbah! Clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and lament; run back and forth within your walls,[b] because Milcom will go into exile together with his priests and officials.
4 Why do you brag about your valleys, your flowing valley,[c] you faithless daughter? You who trust in your treasures [and boast]: Who can attack me?
5 Look, I am about to bring terror on you- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the declaration of the Lord, the God of Hosts- from all those around you. You will be banished, each man headlong, with no one to gather up the fugitives.
6 But after that, I will restore the fortunes[d] of the Ammonites. [This is] the Lord's declaration.

Prophecies against Edom

7 About Edom, this is what the Lord of Hosts says: Is there no longer wisdom in Teman?[e] Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom rotted away?[f]
8 Run! Turn back! Lie low, residents of Dedan,[g] for I will bring Esau's calamity on him at the time I punish him.[h]
9 If grape harvesters came to you, wouldn't they leave some gleanings?[i] Were thieves to come in the night, they would destroy only what they wanted.[j]
10 But I will strip Esau bare; I will uncover his secret places.[k] He will try to hide himself, but he will be unable. His descendants will be destroyed along with his relatives and neighbors. He will exist no longer.
11 Abandon your orphans; I will preserve them; let your widows trust in Me.[l]
12 "For this is what the Lord says: If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, can you possibly remain unpunished? You will not remain unpunished, for you must drink [it] too.

Jeremiah 49:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Footnotes 12

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