Jeremiah 49:17-27

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.[a]
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[b] 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.”

Jeremiah 49:17-27 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.

Cross References 33

  • 1. ver 13
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 29:22; Jeremiah 50:13; Ezekiel 35:7
  • 3. Jeremiah 23:14
  • 4. S Genesis 19:24; Deuteronomy 29:23
  • 5. ver 33; S Isaiah 34:10
  • 6. S 1 Samuel 17:34
  • 7. S Jeremiah 12:5
  • 8. S Exodus 8:10; S 2 Chronicles 20:6; S Isaiah 46:5
  • 9. S Job 9:19; Jeremiah 50:44
  • 10. 1 Samuel 17:35
  • 11. Isaiah 34:5
  • 12. Isaiah 14:27
  • 13. ver 7; S Genesis 36:11
  • 14. Jeremiah 50:45
  • 15. ver 10; Obadiah 1:10; Malachi 1:3-4
  • 16. Jeremiah 50:45
  • 17. Psalms 114:7; Ezekiel 26:15; Ezekiel 27:28; Ezekiel 31:16
  • 18. Jeremiah 50:46; Jeremiah 51:29; Ezekiel 26:18
  • 19. S Deuteronomy 28:49; Hosea 8:1; Habakkuk 1:8
  • 20. S Genesis 36:33
  • 21. Jeremiah 50:36; Nahum 3:13
  • 22. Isaiah 13:8; Jeremiah 48:40-41
  • 23. S Genesis 14:15; 2 Kings 14:28; 2 Chronicles 16:2; Acts 9:2
  • 24. 1 Kings 8:65; Isaiah 10:9; Ezekiel 47:16; Amos 6:2; Zechariah 9:2
  • 25. S 2 Kings 18:34; S 2 Kings 19:13
  • 26. S Genesis 49:4; Isaiah 57:20
  • 27. Jeremiah 13:21
  • 28. S Isaiah 9:17; S Isaiah 13:18
  • 29. Isaiah 17:12-14; Jeremiah 50:30
  • 30. Jeremiah 21:14; Jeremiah 43:12; Jeremiah 50:32; Ezekiel 30:8; Ezekiel 39:6; Amos 1:4
  • 31. S Genesis 14:15
  • 32. Isaiah 17:1
  • 33. S 1 Kings 15:18

Footnotes 2

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.