Jeremiah 49:34-39·~1 min

Judgment on Elam

At the start of Zedekiah's reign, Jeremiah receives a word against Elam. The LORD declares that He will break Elam's bow, the source of its strength, and bring against it the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, scattering Elam among all nations. Elam will be shattered before its enemies, consumed by fierce wrath, and pursued by the sword until king and officials are destroyed, for the LORD will set His throne there. Yet the final word is not annihilation but future restoration: in the latter days the LORD will restore Elam from captivity.

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,

Section summaryIn 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.

Role in the chapterThis closing section extends the nations oracles to a more distant eastern power and ends the chapter by pairing severe dispersion with a final prospect of restoration.