Jeremiah 49
DortA prophesy against the Ammonites verse 1c Edoites 7 Damascus and the Syrians 23 Kedar and Hazor 28 against Elam with a promise annexed 34.
1. Against the children of Amon [compare Ezekiel 21.33 and 25.2 Amos 1:13 Zech.1.8,9] thus saith the Lord hath Israel then no children ?[that Amon thus possesseth his land as if he were heir of it ? will the Lord say] hath no heir? Why then is malcam [or their Melech meaning the idol of the Ammonites otherwise called milcom and Molech 1 Kings 11:5,7 and Levites 18.21 see there and compare chapter 48 on verse 7 and below verse 3 and Judges 11:24 some render it their king to wit the king of the Ammonites which may also be understood of the idol for they called their idols their kings compare Ezekiel 43:7 Amos 5:26 with the annotate] heir of Gad?[that is of land that was allotted and given to God by Moses to the tribe of Gad see Numbers 32:33,34 Deuteronomy 3:12,16compare the phrase with Judges 11:23,24 and here in the next verse]and why do this people [the idol Malcoms people compare above chapter 48.46.]dwell in his cities ?[namely Gads cities like as the Moabites hath taken the rest see above chapter 48 on verse 21.]
2. Therefore behold the days come saith the Lord that I will cause a cry of war [meaning an alarm of soldiers or a sound of trumpet] to be heard over Rabba of the children of Ammon [the chief city of the Ammonites see 2 Samuel 11:1 and 12.29,30,31 also Amos 1:14] and he shall be a desolate heap [Heb heap of desolation that is Rabba shall lie all on a heap like an heap of stone compare Deuteronomy 13:16] and her dependent places [Heb daughter that is the little towns and cities that belong to her jurisdiction see 2kings 19 on verse 21] shall be set on fire and Israel shall inherit them that inherited him saith the Lord [see on the former verse but for as much as we do no where read that the ten tribes that were carried away were brought again to their temporal possession though some particular men of those tribes returned with Judah therefore this must be understood spiritually so that God indeed first maintained and executed the right of inheritance which he had given his people even against the Ammonites as unrighteous possessors expelling them out of the people’s land and thereby declaring Israel to be the right heir and thereof but afterwards brought the true Israelite to their perfect possession in their head the messiah under whose kingdom he hath put all nations and made the faithful to be his brethren and co-heirs see Psalms 2:8 Revelations 11.15 and Romans 8.17c compare Isaiah 11:14 Ezekiel 25:14 with the annotate.]
3. Howl O Hesbon [as neighbor city which also appertained unto Gad Josiah 21.39] for at [another at then Josiah 7] is destroyed cry ye daughters of Rabba [thereby may be meant here the women and maids that dwelt at Rabba compare Luke 23:28.] put on sacks [see Genesis 37 on verse 34] lament and run to and fro by the hedges [or fences like the dismayed or perplexed men persons not knowing where to hide yourselves or whither to flee] for Malcham shall walk into captivity [see the like Phrase of Camos the idol of the Moabites above chapter 48.7 and Amos 1. On verse 15] his priest and the princes together.
4. Wherefore gloriest thou in thy valleys?[or depth deep places wherein thou thinketh to be shut up and secured] thy valley is flown away [that is thy low grounds valleys and depth serve thee not for valley that thou shouldest be able to hide thyself in them or all the fruits of the valleys are as light as water that is flown away or the inhabitants of the valley are like water that is run away neither valley nor mountain can help thee will God say] thou back-sliding daughters[see Amos 1:13 and Zephaniah 2:8 there where indeed of lots of springs therefore should also be formerly spared them but afterwards they became most bitter enemies of God’s people and as much as we most severely punished] that trusted in their treasures [others hidden concealed places] saying who should come against me ? [tat is who should be so bold or so strong that he should dare to venture upon me compare above chapter 21.13.]
5. Behold I will bring a fear upon thee saith the Lord the Lord of hosts from those that are about thee [or from all places round about thee] and ye shall be driven out every men right forth [Heb before his face that is right forth abroad where he may only flee or shift for himself] and none shall gather up the wandering person[that is have pity on him as to take him up or in to harbor him.]
6. But afterwards I will turn the captivity of the children of Amon[as above chapter 48.47 and below verse 39] saith the Lord.
7. Against Edom [that is the posterity of Esau] thus saith the Lord of hosts is there then no wisdom more at Theman? [compare Obadiah verse 8, 9 them in and Dedan where two cities of the Edomites lying upon mountains by the east end of the mountain of Esau behind the forth end dead sea as some maps do shew .Theman was Esau’s grandchild by Eliphaz from whom this city no doubt hath the name see genesis 30.10, 11] is counsel perished from he prudent ? [Others from their children] is their wisdom become unprofitable? [The Hebrew word signifieth commonly to become excessive superstitious redundant and consequently to become unprofitable vain empty or unserviceable.]
8. Flee turn back dwell in deep places [Heb deepen yourselves to dwell or by dwelling or abiding meaning to hide yourselves so verse 30] ye inhabitants of Dedan [see on the former verse of a country in Arabia so called see above chapter 25.23it may be that both city of Edom and the country in Arabia have one original because they lay not far from one another compare above chapter 25on verse 23] for I have brought [that is I will surely bring]the destruction [or ruin]of Esau upon him the time that I visited him [that is the time of visitation as God elsewhere speaketh that is of his punishment see Genesis 21 o verse 1.]
9. If there were come unto thee wine gatherers [or grape cutters] would they not have left a gleaning ? if they were come thieves by night would they not have destroyed [that is have taken away or stolen from thee compare Obadiah verse 5 which is commonly done by the destroying and rifling of the house and goods] as much as would suffice them ? [Heb. Their sufficiency leaving something would the Lord say or taking no more or they could conveniently bring away or carry along with them but I will deal otherwise with him making him bare and empty that he shall have nothing remaining as is shewed in the following words.]
10. But I have made Esau bare I have uncovered his secret places that he shall not be able to hide himself his seed is destroyed also his brethren and his neighbor he is no more [some join these words to the next verse with some addition thus he is not that should say then the meaning of that which is followeth is plain to wit that there shall be none that shall have pity on his fatherless children or widows others conceive that god in the following words speaketh in a deriding manner unto Esau as he had said thou needest not to think that thy fatherless children and widows shall find favor with me if thou leavest behind I will consequently execute my judgments upon thy seed and that all that may be left of thee]
11. Leave the fatherless children behind I will preserve them alive and let thy widows trust in me.
12. For thus saith the Lord they whose judgment it is not to drink the cup [or of my wrath that is they that have not so deserved it as thou hast to wit the godly among mine own people compare above chapter 25.29 and see Deuteronomy 19 on verse 6] shall altogether drink [Heb drinking drink that is shall not go scot free they smart be punished] and shouldst thou any ways beheld guiltless ?[Heb or being held guiltless he held guiltless that is my ways go unpunished see 1 Kings 2 on verse 9 and above chapter 25 on verse 29] thou shalt not be held guiltless but thus halt altogether drink [Heb drinking drink.
13. For I have sown by myself saith the Lord that Bozra [the chief city of the Edomites often mentioned in scripture] shall become an astonishment [or solitariness, desolation, as above chapter 25.9,18c] a reproach a desolation and a curse and all the cities thereof [places that belong unto Bozra] shall become everlasting desolations [Heb desolation of eternity.]
14. I have heard a report or rumor tiding Heb. Properly heard an hearing compare Obadiah verse 1,2,3c] from the Lord[that is the Lord hath revealed these tidings into me or which fame or rumor God sent raising up the king of Babel against Edom as followeth] and there is an ambassador sent among the heathen [that is I have ordered by my divine providence that is as it were by express charge and by my instigation they shall do as followeth compare above chapter 25 on verse 9 with the annotate as stone the king of Babel hath sent forth an ambassador to stir up the nation c against Edom as followeth which was so ordered of God] for to say gather ye together and come against her [Bozra or Edom as here all along mention is made of this nation and land sometimes in the feminine and sometimes in the masculine gender compare above chapter 48 on verse 4] and get you up to the battle.
15. For lo I have made [Heb given appointed] thee small among the heathen despised among men [that is I have ordained that thou shalt be brought to such a miserable and despised condition that thou shalt not be able to compared with the other nation.]
16. Thy terribleness [wherewith thou makest others afraid to shake quake and tremble before thee in regard of thy pride and thy fearful hilly country which none durst approach unto] hath deceived thee[for thou hast in vain relied thereon] and the insolence of thine heart thou dwellest in the cleft of the rocks [Heb rock] that keepest on the top of the hills [Heb keepest the top of the hill] though thou shouldest make thy nest as high s the eagle yet will I thrust thee down from thence saith the Lord [compare Obadiah verse 4.]
17. So Edom shall become an astonishment [others desolation] whosoever goeth by her shall be astonished and whistle [p or his pipe see above chapter 18.16] at all her plagues.
18. As the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorra and their neighbors [Adma and Zeboim and the places round about the whole country they that lay near unto them compare below chapter 50.40 Genesis 19:25 Amos 4:11] shall it be [to wit with Edom this other branch of the comparison is inserted to supply and ill up the sense as some also do in the beginning of the next verse] saith the Lord no man shall dwell there [in the land of Edomites which being subdued by the Babylonian shall thenceforth from time to time be so wasted and destroyed that it shall at length become utterly desolate and uninhabited] nor any child of man converse it.
19. Behold he shall come up like a lion from the lifting up of Jordan against the strong habitation [or rough hard habitation that is the hilly country of the Edomites others pleasant habitation of the strong meaning that there I spoken of the bold attempts of the Edomites who were more pushed up hen Jordan in their marching up against people and the house of God but in vain with a ridiculous event like a lion c who must leave his usual resting place and in a rage roaring get up speeding to the mountains when the Jordan over floweth on every side and chasteth the lion away from thence see above chapter 12 on verse 5 and compare Zach. 11.3 so shall the king of Babel with incense mind marched up to the mountains of the Edomites or as a lion getteth up higher because of the swelling of the Jordan so shall he come up against c. all to one sense compare chapter 50.44of Cyrus his coming against Babel others for this place is diversely rendered and expounded as a lion shall be marched up from the proud o proud Jordan against c. that is Nebuchadnezzar shall march up against Edom when he shall have subdued the land of Judah which Edomites could not imagine but rejoiced at the miseries of Judah] for I will in a moment [that is suddenly unaware so in the Hebrew word taken Proverbs 12:9] make him [Edom] run from thence [Heb. From her that is from country or land Idumea see above on verse 14 so in the following words others when I shall have made him to rest that is after the Edom shall have rested a long while I will &c] and he that is chosen for it him I will appoint against her [or give charge commission command concerning her meaning king Nebuchadnezzar whom god therefore calleth his servant see above chapter 25.9 others he that is chosen him c that is I shall not want serviceable instruments whom I may take from whence I please to curb and cut off the insolence Edom] for who is like me and who should summon me ? [Or sue me at law or appoint me at the time or season to plead against him? Or shall limit or appoint me measure and time in my works? See Job 9:19 with annotate] and who is the shepherd [that is king ruler or protector compare 2Smuel 5.2and above chapter 6.3 and 10.21 and 12.10&c] that should stand before my face? Others against my face its all to one sense that is one what king or monarchy should be able to be my adversary?]
20. Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord that hath counseled against Edom and his thoughts that he hath thought [that is resolution decree that he hath made compare below verse 30] against the inhabitants of Theman see above verse 7] if he meanest the flock [the least Nebuchadnezzar’s soldiers compare above chapter 6.3] shall not pull them down [that is level their strong holds with the ground compare 2 Samuel 17:13 or drag their bodies along on the ground as above chapter 15.3 and 22.19] if he [the enemy or everyone of them or if men c] shall not make their inhabitation desolate upon them [as we use to say that man’s house is pulled down or burnt down upon his head compare 1 Kings 17:18 with the annotate others with them these two abrupt sentences very usual I making of oaths others Deuteronomy 1 on verse 35.]
21. The earth trembled at the sound of their fall at the cry the sound thereof was heard by the red sea[that is the red sea the meaning is their cry shall be head very far off the red sea lying far off from Edom in the south to Egypt others thus the sound of the cry was heard by the red sea.]
22. Behold he shall come up and flee swiftly as an eagle [as above chapter 48.40 meaning Nebuchadnezzar] and spread out his wings over Bozra and the heart of Edom as that day shall be as the heart of a woman in travail [as above chapter 48.41.]
23. Against Damascus [see Genesis 14 on verse 1,5 & 2 Samuel 8 on verse 5 Hamath [see Numbers 13 on verse 21and 34 on verse 8] is confounded and Arphad[this city is also named with Hamath and 2Kings 18.34 see there] because they heard an evil report [as above verse 14] they are melted [that is become dismayed and feint hearted see Deuteronomy 1 on verse 28] there is trouble by the sea [that is those that dwell by the sea side called sea of Syria and Phonicia from whence also Damascus and Hamath lay not far distant] one cannot rest [or be quiet] there [others as he that is in the trouble in he sea and cannot rest.]
24. Damascus is grown feeble [compare 2 Samuel 4 on verse 1] she hath turned herself t flee and quaking hath raised on her anguish and sorrows have [Heb hath] taken her as of a woman in travail [compare above chapter 4.31and 6.24 and 30.6]
25. How is the glorious city [Heb. city of glory and praise compare below chapter 51.41] not left the city of my joy? [That is wherein I rejoiced.]
26. Therefore her young men shall fall [or lie being slain] I her streets and her soldiers shall be hewn down in that day [that is may be certainly known that Damascus shall not be spared or reserved and winked at] saith the Lord.
27. I will idle a fire [of plagues and miseries war and desolation see Job 15 on verse 34]in the wall of Damascus and it shall consume the places of Ben- badad [the mighty famous king of Syria see 1 Kings 15:18,20 and 21. &c meaning the palaces of the king of Syria so Amos 1:4]
28. Against [or of concerning] Kedar [mentioned above chapter 2.20 see there] and against the kingdoms of Hazar [Heb Thalsar se Josiah 11.10,11 and 15 .23,25 and .19.36 and 1 Kings 9:15 and 2Kings 15.29 by comparing of the places it appeareth that there were divers cities of this name both in north and south of Canaan but some conceive that here are meant the countries in desert Arabia whither the Azorites went to dwell after that Joshua hath burnt that city and also Barack afterwards hath smitten Jabin which doth not agree with the mention of Kedar and of the children of the east compare above chapter 25.24] which Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babel smote [as above chapter 46.2] thus saith the Lord get you up march up Kedar and destroy the children of the east [see Judges 6 on verse 3]
29. They shall take their tents and their flocks they shall take away their curtains and their furniture and their camels for themselves and they shall cry out against them [as above chapter 6.25 and above verse 5 others proclaim a terror round about against them .
30. Flee wander quickly [Heb greatly] away dwell in deep places [as above verse 8] ye inhabitants of Hazar saith the Lord for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babel hath taken counsel against ye and hath thought a thought against them [above verse 20.]
31. Get you up march up against the people that is at ease that dwelleth in security [that is secure and careless] saith the Lord which hath no doors nor bars [because the Arabians dwelt in tents and had no houses and feared no enemy see Judges 8:11 with the annotate and compare Numbers 23:9 Deuteronomy 33:28 Micah 7:14] which dwell alone.
32. And their camel shall be a booty and the multitude of their cattle shall be a spoil and I will scatter them into all winds [Heb every wind that is into all corners of the world so below verse 36 Ezekiel 5.10and 17.21c.] to wit those that are shortened at the corners [see above chapter 9 on verse 26] and I will bring their destruction from all his sides [the king of Babel or Hazar sides or passages] saith the Lord.
33. And Hazar shall become an habitation of dragons [as above chapter 9.11] a desolation for ever no man shall dwell there nor any child of men converse in it [as above verse 8.]
34. The word of the Lord that came to the prophet Jeremiah against Elam or of Elam concerning Elam that is the Persians or a certain people in Persia see above chapter 25.25 and Isaiah 21:2 ] in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah the king of Judah
35. Thus saith the Lord of hosts behold I will break the bow of Elam [that is of the Elamites so in the sequel compare Isaiah22.6] the chiefest [or the beginning] of their mighty [that is wherein their chiefest forces consist or whereby they have begun to be mighty to wit that they were valiant archers some where of opinion that they were therefore with other nations employed by Nebuchadnezzar in his army against Judah and Jerusalem and used Gods people most cruelly and that this therefore was prophesied against them as they also served the Syrians Ezekiel 27:10 but when this prophesy was fulfilled therefore are divers opinion some conceive that it was done by the Scythian nation about that time when Nebuchadnezzar was everywhere busy to subdue Judah and other nations and consequently afterwards see Ezekiel 38 o verse 2 others are of opinion that it was fulfilled when Alexander the great hath conquered the king of Persia and had brought the monarchy to himself and consequently after his death however this is certain that they found the truth of these prophesies divers way fulfilled.
36. And I will bring the four winds from the four corners of heaven [that is the enemies from every side][ an Elam and will scatter them into all those winds [as above verse 32] and there shall be no nation wither the driven of Elam shall [Heb shall in singular number] not come [that is of the banished people there shall be everywhere some]
37. And I will cause Elam to be dismayed before the face of their enemies and before the face of them that seek their soul [that is that seek their lives as above often see Exodus 4 on verse 19 and 2 Samuel 4 on verse 8] and will bring evil [of punishment] upon them the heat of mine anger saith the Lord and I will send the sword after them till I have consumed the them [as above chapter 9.16 and 14.12.]
38. And I will set my throne [of judgments as the following words declare] in Elam and will destroy from thence the king and the prince saith the Lord.
39. But it shall come to pass in the last days that I will turn the captivity of Elam [see above verse 6 and chapter 48 on verse 47 and compare Acts 2:9] saith the Lord.