Jeremiah 49

1 Concerning the Ammonites [sons of Lot, a neighboring nation], this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: “Has Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants] no sons [or descendants, heirs]? Is he without heir [or inheritor, one to carry on his legacy]? Why then has Milcom [their king, Malcam, or Molech] taken possession [occupied, inherited] of Gad [the seventh son of Jacob, and the tribe of Gad]? Why have his people [nation, or those who worship him] settled [dwelt, lived] in their cities [towns, or places of habitation]? word study 2 Therefore, behold [look, see], the days [a period of time, an era] are coming, declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], when I will sound [cause to be heard] the battle cry [a shout, a war alarm] against Rabbah [a great city, the capital] of the Ammonites [the descendants of Ammon]. It will become [be turned into] a heap [a mound, a ruin] of ruins, and its villages [daughter towns, surrounding cities] will be burned [consumed by fire, destroyed]. Then Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] will drive out [dispossess, take control] their dispossessors [those who took their land, their enemies], says the LORD [the sovereign God, the ruler of all]. word study 3 Wail [howl, lament], O Heshbon [a city east of the Jordan], for Ai [a city of ruins] has been destroyed [laid waste, ruined]; cry out [cry, weep], O daughters [female children, women] of Rabbah [a great city]! Put on [gird with] sackcloth [a coarse cloth] and mourn [lament, express deep sadness]; run back and forth [rove, travel] within your walls [enclosures, hedges], for Milcom [a pagan God, King] will go into exile [captivity, banishment] together with his priests [spiritual leaders] and officials [rulers, princes]. word study 4 Why do you boast [gloriest, take pride] of your valleys [lowlands, fertile plains]— your valleys [flowing, fruitful] so fruitful [productive, abundant], O faithless [backsliding, rebellious] daughter [woman, female child]? You trust [have confidence, put faith] in your riches [treasures, wealth] and say, ‘Who [what person, which one] can come [approach, attack] against me [toward me, against my position]?’ word study 5 Behold [look, take notice], I am about to bring [send, cause to come upon] terror [fear, dread] upon you, declares the Lord [Adonay, Master] GOD [Yehovah] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces], from all those [nations, peoples] around [surrounding, encompassing] you. You will each be driven [scattered, banished] headlong [in all directions, completely], with no one [none, nothing] to regather [collect, assemble] the fugitives [those who wander, refugees]. word study 6 Yet afterward [at a later time, in the future] I will restore [bring back, turn back the captivity of] the Ammonites [sons of Ammon, descendants of Lot] from captivity [being held prisoner, exile], ” declares [utters, speaks through a prophet] the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 7 Concerning Edom [a region in the descendants of Esau], this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [a large group of people or things, often an army] says: “Is there no longer [still, to this day] wisdom [skill, prudence, or good judgment] in Teman [a name for two Edomites and the region they inhabited]? Has counsel [advice, a plan or purpose] perished [been destroyed or lost] from the prudent [those with discernment, wise people]? Has their wisdom [skill, prudence, or good judgment] decayed [vanished, become unprofitable]? word study 8 Turn [flee, go back] and run [in flight, to escape]! Lie low [dwell deep, take cover], O dwellers [inhabitants, people] of Dedan [a low-lying area], for I will bring [send, inflict] disaster [calamity, misfortune] on Esau [the son of Isaac, the hairy one] at the time [occasion, moment] I punish [visit, reckon with] him. word study 9 If grape gatherers [harvesters, those who collect the fruit] came to you, would they not leave some gleanings [a few remaining grapes, leftover fruit]? Were thieves [those who take by stealth, robbers] to come in the night [the time of darkness, under cover of darkness], would they not steal [take by force, plunder] only what they wanted [what was sufficient for them, enough to satisfy their needs]? word study 10 But I [Emphatically, I myself] will strip Esau [the hairy one] bare; I will uncover [reveal, lay open] his hiding places [secret locations, refuges], and he will be unable [lack the power, be powerless] to conceal [hide, cover] himself. His descendants [seed, offspring, posterity] will be destroyed [ruined, devastated, spoiled] along with his relatives [brethren, kin] and neighbors [those living nearby, associates], and he will be no more [nothing, nonexistent, utterly gone]. word study 11 Abandon [leave, forsake] your orphans [fatherless children, without a guardian]; I [the Lord, the Protector] will preserve [keep alive, sustain] their lives [existence, being]. Let your widows [women without husbands, vulnerable] trust [have faith, rely] in Me [the Rock, the Refuge].” word study 12 For this is what the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] says: “If those who do not deserve [are not guilty, have no fault] to drink the cup [of judgment, wrath] must drink it, can you possibly [is it possible for you to] remain unpunished [go free, escape judgment]? You will not go unpunished [will surely be punished, will not escape], for you must drink it too [will certainly drink, will not be exempt]. word study 13 For by Myself [alone, with no one else] I have sworn [taken an oath, made a solemn promise], declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], that Bozrah [a town in Edom, a sheepfold or fortress] will become [exist as, come into being] a desolation [a state of horror, a waste, a ruin], a [reproach, shame] disgrace, a ruin [a state of drought, desolation], and a curse [a wish for harm or evil], and all [everything] her cities will be [exist as, come into being] in ruins [desolation, waste] forever [always, eternally].” word study 14 I have heard [a report, tidings] a message from the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]; an envoy [ambassador, messenger] has been sent to the nations [Gentiles, heathen]: “Assemble [gather, come together] yourselves to march against her [Edom, the enemy]! Rise up [stand up, take your positions] for battle [war, conflict]!” word study 15 “For behold [see, look, take notice], I will make you small [insignificant, little, of no account] among nations [Gentiles, heathen, non-Hebrew peoples], despised [held in contempt, looked down on] among men [humanity, people, mankind]. word study 16 The terror [fear, dread] you cause and the pride [arrogance, haughtiness] of your heart [inner being, emotions] have deceived [led astray, misled] you, O dwellers [inhabitants, residents] in the clefts [rocky crevices, hiding places] of the rocks [crags, cliffs], O occupiers [holders, possessors] of the mountain summit [highest point, peak]. Though you elevate [lift up, exalt] your nest [home, dwelling] like the eagle [bird of prey], even from there [that place, that location] I will bring you down [humble, lower],” declares [speaks, proclaims] the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]. word study 17 “Edom [a desolation, a place of horror] will become an object of [consternation or ruin] horror. All [everything, every person] who pass by will be appalled [astonished, overcome with wonder] and will scoff [hiss, express scorn] at all her [its, Edom’s] wounds [plagues, punishments, carnage]. word study 18 As Sodom [a city near the Dead Sea, known for its wickedness] and Gomorrah [a city in ancient Palestine, destroyed for its corruption] were overthrown [completely destroyed, like a total devastation] along with their neighbors [fellow citizens, nearby towns],” says the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], “no one [not a single person] will dwell [live, remain] there; no man [human being, individual] will abide [sojourn, stay] there. word study 19 Behold [look, see], one will come up like a lion from the thickets [dense jungle, tangled undergrowth] of the Jordan [a key location, a river] to the watered pasture [a pleasant place, a green meadow]. For in an instant [suddenly, quickly] I will chase Edom [a nation, a people] from her land [their territory, their home]. Who is the chosen one [a selected leader, an appointed ruler] I will appoint [assign, designate] for this? For who is like Me [having God’s nature, divine], and who can challenge [oppose, stand against] Me? What shepherd [a leader, a caretaker] can stand [endure, remain] against Me [in My presence, before Me]?” word study 20 Therefore hear [listen carefully, obey] the plans [counsel, advice] that the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] has drawn up [devised, planned] against Edom [the region of Edom, the descendants of Esau] and the strategies [purposes, plots] He has devised [thought out, intended] against the people [inhabitants, dwellers] of Teman [a region in Edom, the south]: Surely [indeed, certainly] the little ones [young, insignificant] of the flock [sheep, God’s people] will be dragged away [pulled out, torn away]; certainly [indeed, surely] their pasture [dwelling place, home] will be made desolate [empty, devastated] because of them [on their account, for their sake]. word study 21 At the sound [noise, voice] of their fall [to be defeated, to collapse] the earth [land, ground] will quake [shake, tremble]; their cry [outcry, lamentation] will resound [be heard, echo] to the Red Sea [sea of reeds, western sea]. word study 22 Look [behold, take notice]! An eagle [a large bird of prey] will soar [come up, fly swiftly] and swoop down [fly as the eagle, rushing down], spreading [to spread or break something apart, like scattering or stretching out] its wings [the edge or extremity of something, like a bird’s wing] over Bozrah [a town in Edom, a sheepfold or fortress]. In that day [a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time] the hearts [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] of Edom’s mighty men [strong or valiant warriors, champions] will be like [similar to, comparable with] the heart [the center of emotions, the seat of feelings] of a woman [a female person, wife, or animal] in labor [experiencing birth-pains, in travail, distressed]. word study 23 Concerning Damascus [the capital city of Syria]: “Hamath [an ancient city in Syria] and Arpad [a city in northern Syria] are put to shame [confounded, feeling guilt or disappointment], for they have heard [received news, been informed] a bad [evil, morally harmful] report [tidings, message]; they are agitated [faint-hearted, melted away] like the sea [a large body of water]; their anxiety [care, emotional burden] cannot [is not able] be calmed [quiet, at peace]. word study 24 Damascus [the capital city of Syria, a major trading center] has become feeble [weakened, disheartened]; she has turned [faced, directed herself] to flee [escape, run away from danger]. Panic [fear, terror] has gripped [seized, taken hold of] her; anguish [sorrow, distress] and pain [sorrows, troubles] have seized [grasped, taken hold of] her like a woman [giving birth] in labor [childbirth, travail]. word study 25 How [in what manner, to what extent] is the city [town, urban settlement] of praise [song of praise, public worship] not [absolutely not, by no means] forsaken [abandoned, left to ruin], the town [city, place of joy] that brings [causes, results in] Me joy [rejoicing, great delight]? word study 26 For her young men [youth in their prime] will fall [be defeated, die] in the streets [public areas, plazas], and all [every one of] her warriors [men of war, soldiers] will be silenced [cut off, brought to an end] in that day [a specific time, a day of judgment],” declares [says, utters] the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces]. word study 27 “I will set fire [kindle, ignite a flame] to the walls [strong fortifications, city defenses] of Damascus [the capital city of Syria]; it will consume [devour, eat away] the fortresses [citadels, strongholds] of Ben-hadad [son of the false god Hadad, a Syrian king].” word study 28 Concerning Kedar [a son of Ishmael, and his descendants] and the kingdoms [domains, territories] of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar [a powerful ruler] king of Babylon defeated [smote, overcame], this is what the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] says: “Rise up [stand, arise], advance against Kedar [to attack, to conquer], and destroy [to ruin, to devastate] the people [sons, descendants] of the east [the region, the direction]! word study 29 They will take their tents [temporary dwellings, nomadic homes] and flocks [sheep or goats], their tent curtains [hanging fabrics, dividers] and all [everything, the entirety of] their goods [possessions, belongings]. They will take their camels [riding or pack animals] for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror [fear, dread] is on every side [surrounding, encompassing]!’ word study 30 Run [flee]! Escape quickly [get you far off, wander far off]! Lie low [dwell deep, take cover in deep places], O residents [inhabitants, people] of Hazor [a significant city in ancient Palestine],” declares [says, utters] the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], “for Nebuchadnezzar [a powerful king of Babylon] king of Babylon [meaning confusion or mixing] has drawn up [taken counsel, devised] a plan [counsel, advice, purpose] against you; he has devised [thought, planned, contrived] a strategy [plot, device, invention] against you. word study 31 Rise up [arise, stand up], advance against a nation [Gentile, a large group of people] at ease [living in comfort, prosperous], one that dwells [lives, remains] securely [without care, in safety],” declares the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God]. “They have no [none, not any] gates [doors, entrances] or bars [bolts, locks]; they live [dwell, reside] alone [in isolation, separated]. word study 32 Their camels [valuable riding animals] will become plunder [spoils of war, booty], and their large herds [multitude of cattle] will be spoil [plunder, goods taken by force]. I will scatter [disperse, toss about] to the wind [a blast of air] in every direction [all sides, every corner] those who shave [cut off, trim] their temples [sides of the head, corners of the beard]; I will bring calamity [disaster, oppression] on them from all sides [every direction, all corners],” declares the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 33 “Hazor [a significant city in ancient Palestine] will become a haunt [dwelling place, habitation] for jackals [dragons, sea-serpents], a desolation [state of devastation, waste] forever [till the end of time, always]. No one [not a single person, no man] will dwell [live, reside] there; no man [male person, individual] will abide [remain, sojourn] there.” word study 34 This is the word [message, declaration] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] that came to Jeremiah [whom Jehovah has appointed] the prophet [someone who speaks for God] concerning [against, about] Elam [a son of Shem and his descendants] at the beginning [first, initial part] of the reign [royal power, authority] of Zedekiah [Jehovah is righteous] king [royal person, ruler] of Judah [the tribe descended from Judah]. word study 35 This is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people or things] says: “Behold [look, see], I will shatter [break, burst] Elam’s [a son of Shem and his descendants] bow [a weapon for hunting or battle], the mainstay [chief, beginning] of their might [strength, power]. word study 36 I will bring the four [divine, heavenly] winds against Elam [a son of Shem and his descendants] from the four [cardinal, directional] corners of the heavens [the sky, the spiritual realm], and I will scatter [disperse, toss about] them to all these [every, various] winds. There will not be a nation [Gentile, people group] to which Elam’s exiles [banished, driven away ones] will not go [come, migrate]. word study 37 So I will shatter [completely break, dismay] Elam [a son of Shem and his descendants] before their foes [enemies, adversaries], before those who seek [pursue, search for] their lives [souls, living beings]. I will bring disaster [evil, calamity] upon them, even My fierce anger [burning wrath, intense emotion],” declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. “I will send out [dispatch, commission] the sword [cutting instrument, tool for warfare] after them until I finish [consume, completely destroy] them off. word study 38 I will set [establish, appoint] My throne [seat of power, authority] in Elam [a region, a son of Shem], and destroy [perish, utterly ruin] its king [ruler, monarch] and officials [princes, leaders],” declares [utters, speaks] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study 39 “Yet in the [latter] last days, I will [bring back, reverse] restore Elam [a son of Shem and his descendants, a region] from [a state of being held prisoner] captivity [an utterance, declaration],” declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. word study