Jeremiah 49:21-31

21 The earth will shake with the noise of Edom’s fall, and its cry of despair will be heard all the way to the Red Sea.

22 Look! The enemy swoops down like an eagle, spreading his wings over Bozrah. Even the mightiest warriors will be in anguish like a woman in labor.

23 This message was given concerning Damascus. This is what the LORD says: “The towns of Hamath and Arpad are struck with fear, for they have heard the news of their destruction. Their hearts are troubled like a wild sea in a raging storm.

24 Damascus has become feeble, and all her people turn to flee. Fear, anguish, and pain have gripped her as they grip a woman in labor.

25 That famous city, a city of joy, will be forsaken!

26 Her young men will fall in the streets and die. Her soldiers will all be killed,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

27 “And I will set fire to the walls of Damascus that will burn up the palaces of Ben-hadad.”

28 This message was given concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which were attacked by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This is what the LORD says: “Advance against Kedar! Destroy the warriors from the East!

29 Their flocks and tents will be captured, and their household goods and camels will be taken away. Everywhere shouts of panic will be heard: ‘We are terrorized at every turn!’

30 Run for your lives,” says the LORD . “Hide yourselves in deep caves, you people of Hazor, for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has plotted against you and is preparing to destroy you.

31 “Go up and attack that complacent nation,” says the LORD . “Its people live alone in the desert without walls or gates.

Jeremiah 49:21-31 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

• [a]. Hebrew sea of reeds.
• [b]. Hebrew Nebuchadrezzar, a variant spelling of Nebuchadnezzar; also in 49:30 .