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Jeremiah

Chapter 49

Judgment on the Ammonites and more

Jeremiah 49 gathers a chain of oracles against the Ammonites, Edom, Damascus, Kedar and Hazor, and Elam. Across these different peoples the same pattern appears: cities, wisdom, military confidence, and geographic security all fail when the LORD rises to judge, yet the chapter also preserves surprising notes of future restoration for Ammon and Elam after their humiliation.

This chapter broadens the nations collection by showing that the LORD's rule reaches settled kingdoms, desert tribes, and distant eastern powers alike. Each oracle targets a different form of false security, but together they demonstrate that no nation can shield itself by inheritance, pride, fortification, trade, remoteness, or skill when the LORD appoints a day of reckoning.

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Jeremiah 49

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vv. 1-6

Judgment on the Ammonites

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C1oncerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: 2Therefore, behold, the days are coming, 3Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai has been destroyed; 4Why do you boast of your valleys— 5Behold, I am about to bring terror upon you, 6Yet afterward I will restore the Ammonites from captivity, ”

vv. 7-22

Judgment on Edom

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C7oncerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: 8Turn and run! 9If grape gatherers came to you, 10But I will strip Esau bare; 11Abandon your orphans; I will preserve their lives. 12For 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 go unpunished, for you must drink it too. 13For by Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that Bozrah will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and a curse, and all her cities will be in ruins forever.”

14I have heard a message from the LORD; 15“For behold, I will make you small among nations, 16The terror you cause 17“Edom will become an object of horror. 18As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown

19Behold, one will come up like a lion 20Therefore hear the plans 21At the sound of their fall the earth will quake; 22Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down,

vv. 23-27

Judgment on Damascus

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C23oncerning Damascus: 24Damascus has become feeble; 25How is the city of praise not forsaken, 26For her young men will fall in the streets, 27“I will set fire to the walls of Damascus;

vv. 28-33

Judgment on Kedar and Hazor

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C28oncerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: 29They will take their tents and flocks, 30Run! Escape quickly! 31Rise up, advance against a nation at ease, 32Their camels will become plunder, 33“Hazor will become a haunt for jackals,

vv. 34-39

Judgment on Elam

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T34his is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah. 35This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 36I will bring the four winds against Elam 37So I will shatter Elam before their foes, 38I will set My throne in Elam, 39“Yet in the last days,

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  1. 01vv. 1-6Judgment on the AmmonitesThe LORD questions Ammon's occupation of Gad as though Israel had no heir, then announces that Rabbah's proud possession will be reversed in war and exile. The daughters of Rabbah are called to mourn, and Ammon's confidence in fertile valleys and stored wealth is exposed as empty when terror comes from every side. Yet the oracle closes with a future promise that the LORD will afterward restore the Ammonites from captivity.
  2. 02vv. 7-22Judgment on EdomThe oracle against Edom begins by asking whether wisdom has vanished from Teman and counsel from the prudent. Edom is urged to flee deep, but the LORD says He will strip Esau bare so that his hidden places are exposed and his descendants cannot conceal themselves. Unlike thieves or grape gatherers, the coming devastation will leave nothing behind. Bozrah and all Edom will become a horror, and the nation's cliff-dwelling pride will not save it. Like Sodom's overthrow, Edom's land will become uninhabited, and the oncoming conqueror is pictured as both lion and eagle, terrifying the mighty heart of Edom like a woman in labor.
  3. 03vv. 23-27Judgment on DamascusConcerning Damascus, Hamath and Arpad are put to shame by bad news from the sea, and Damascus itself grows weak, turning to flee but finding anguish like labor pains. The city once famed for praise and joy cannot escape abandonment: its young men will fall in the streets, soldiers will be silenced, and the LORD will kindle a fire in Damascus's walls that consumes Ben-hadad's strongholds.
  4. 04vv. 28-33Judgment on Kedar and HazorThe LORD turns next to Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, desert peoples struck by Nebuchadnezzar. Babylon is summoned to rise against this secure, unwalled, isolated nation. Their tents, flocks, curtains, and camels will become spoil, panic will sound on every side, and those who dwell deep in Hazor are urged to flee. Hazor will become a haunt of jackals, desolate forever and uninhabited.
  5. 05vv. 34-39Judgment on ElamIn the beginning of Zedekiah's reign the word of the LORD comes concerning Elam. The LORD will break Elam's bow, scatter its people to the four winds so that no nation lacks Elamite fugitives, and set His throne in Elam while destroying king and officials. Yet the chapter closes, as with Ammon, by promising that in the latter days the LORD will restore Elam from captivity.
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