
Text -- Jeremiah 49:1-8 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



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Wesley: Jer 49:1 - -- During the long tract of time that there were wars between the Jews and Ammonites, the land of Gad and Reuben which lay beyond Jordan, fell into the h...
During the long tract of time that there were wars between the Jews and Ammonites, the land of Gad and Reuben which lay beyond Jordan, fell into the hands of the Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites. Hence it is that the prophet saith, Hath Israel no sons? God had given that country of Gilead to Manasseh, Reuben, and Gad; and as mens estates ought to descend to their heirs, so this land should have descended to their posterity, but the Ammonites had taken and possessed it.

Wesley: Jer 49:3 - -- A city of the Ammonites, not the same mentioned, Jos 7:2, for that was on the other side Jordan.
A city of the Ammonites, not the same mentioned, Jos 7:2, for that was on the other side Jordan.

Where they might be hidden, and not so easily seen.

Either flowing with water, or plenty of corn and grass.

So that you shall be glad to flee, and never look back.

Wesley: Jer 49:6 - -- Probably this refers to the conversion of the Ammonites, as well as other Heathens, to Christ.
Probably this refers to the conversion of the Ammonites, as well as other Heathens, to Christ.

Wesley: Jer 49:7 - -- The Edomites were the posterity of Esau the eldest son of Isaac, but disinherited; the blessing being given to his younger brother Jacob, who was head...
The Edomites were the posterity of Esau the eldest son of Isaac, but disinherited; the blessing being given to his younger brother Jacob, who was head of the twelve tribes of Israel. God promised him that he should have a fat, and plentiful country, tho' his brother should be his lord; and foretold, that he should break his brother's yoke from off his neck: the land of Seir was his country. The Edomites coasted southward upon Canaan, the Israelites passed by their coasts to go into Canaan, their way lay thro' Edom, but their king refusing to suffer them to go through, God ordered them to go another way. Balaam prophesied their ruin. They were enemies to the Israelites in the time of Saul, 1Sa 14:47, and David, 2Sa 8:14, and Amaziah, 2Ki 14:17, who slew of them ten thousand, and took Selah, calling it Jokteel. Many of the prophets foretold their ruin, Jeremiah in this place, Eze 25:12-14; Joe 3:19; Amo 9:11-12, and others.

Wesley: Jer 49:8 - -- Was a city of Arabia joining to Idumea, Isa 21:13, they being neighbours to the Edomites are called to flee, and to get into caves, where they might d...
Was a city of Arabia joining to Idumea, Isa 21:13, they being neighbours to the Edomites are called to flee, and to get into caves, where they might dwell deep in the earth and be in some security.
JFB: Jer 49:1 - -- Namely, to occupy the land of Gad, after it itself has been carried away captive by Shalmaneser. Ammon, like Moab, descended from Lot, lay north of Mo...
Namely, to occupy the land of Gad, after it itself has been carried away captive by Shalmaneser. Ammon, like Moab, descended from Lot, lay north of Moab, from which it was separated by the river Arnon, and east of Reuben and Gad (Jos 13:24-25) on the same side of Jordan. It seized on Gad when Israel was carried captive. Judah was by the right of kindred the heir, not Ammon; but Ammon joined with Nebuchadnezzar against Judah and Jerusalem (2Ki 24:2) and exulted over its fall ( Psa_83:4-7-8; Zep 2:8-9). It had already, in the days of Jeroboam, in Israel's affliction, tried to "enlarge its border" (2Ki 14:26; Amo 1:1, Amo 1:13).

JFB: Jer 49:1 - -- (Amo 1:15); referring to Melchom, their tutelary idol (Zep 1:5); and so the Septuagint reads it here as a proper name (1Ki 11:5, 1Ki 11:33; 2Ki 23:13...
(Amo 1:15); referring to Melchom, their tutelary idol (Zep 1:5); and so the Septuagint reads it here as a proper name (1Ki 11:5, 1Ki 11:33; 2Ki 23:13). The Ammonite god is said to do what they do, namely, occupy the Israelite land of Gad. To Jehovah, the theocratic "King" of Israel, the land belonged of right; so that their Molech or Melchom was a usurper-king.

JFB: Jer 49:2 - -- "the great," metropolis of Ammon (2Sa 12:26-30). Its destruction is foretold also in Eze 25:5; Amo 1:14-15.
"the great," metropolis of Ammon (2Sa 12:26-30). Its destruction is foretold also in Eze 25:5; Amo 1:14-15.

JFB: Jer 49:2 - -- Shall possess those who possessed him. The full accomplishment of this is still future; partially fulfilled under the Maccabees (1 Maccabees 5:6).
Shall possess those who possessed him. The full accomplishment of this is still future; partially fulfilled under the Maccabees (1 Maccabees 5:6).

JFB: Jer 49:3 - -- Nebuchadnezzar, coming from the north, first attacked Ammon, then its brother and neighbor, Moab. As Ai of Ammon had already suffered destruction, Hes...
Nebuchadnezzar, coming from the north, first attacked Ammon, then its brother and neighbor, Moab. As Ai of Ammon had already suffered destruction, Heshbon of Moab being near it might well fear the same fate.

JFB: Jer 49:3 - -- Their cities being destroyed, the outcasts have no place of shelter save behind the "hedges" of vineyards and gardens; or else the enclosures of their...
Their cities being destroyed, the outcasts have no place of shelter save behind the "hedges" of vineyards and gardens; or else the enclosures of their villages.

JFB: Jer 49:4 - -- Rather, "thy valley shall flow," namely with the blood of the slain; in sad contrast to their "valleys" in which they had heretofore "gloried," as flo...
Rather, "thy valley shall flow," namely with the blood of the slain; in sad contrast to their "valleys" in which they had heretofore "gloried," as flowing with milk and honey [GROTIUS]. Or else, as Margin, "shall flow away."

Apostate from Jehovah, the God of their father Lot, to Molech.

JFB: Jer 49:5 - -- Whithersoever chance may lead him (Jer 46:5; Gen 19:17); straight before him, onwards at random (Amo 4:3).

JFB: Jer 49:5 - -- There shall be none to gather together the wandering fugitives, so as to care for them and restore them to their own homes.
There shall be none to gather together the wandering fugitives, so as to care for them and restore them to their own homes.

JFB: Jer 49:6 - -- (Compare Jer 48:47). For the sake of "righteous" Lot their progenitor. Partially fulfilled under Cyrus; in gospel times more fully.
(Compare Jer 48:47). For the sake of "righteous" Lot their progenitor. Partially fulfilled under Cyrus; in gospel times more fully.

JFB: Jer 49:7 - -- A distinct prophecy, copied in part from Obadiah, but with the freedom of one himself inspired and foretelling a later calamity. Obadiah's was fulfill...

JFB: Jer 49:7 - -- For which the Arabs and the people of Teman (a city of Edom) in particular, were famed (Gen 36:15; 1Ki 4:30; see Job, everywhere; Oba 1:8).

JFB: Jer 49:7 - -- Literally "poured out," that is, exhausted (compare Isa 19:3, Margin) [MAURER]. Or, as the kindred Ethiopic word means, "worn out" [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU]...
Literally "poured out," that is, exhausted (compare Isa 19:3, Margin) [MAURER]. Or, as the kindred Ethiopic word means, "worn out" [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU].

JFB: Jer 49:8 - -- In deep defiles and caves [GROTIUS], which abound in Idumea. Others refer it to the Arab custom of retiring into the depth of the desert when avoiding...
In deep defiles and caves [GROTIUS], which abound in Idumea. Others refer it to the Arab custom of retiring into the depth of the desert when avoiding an offended foe (Jer 49:30).

JFB: Jer 49:8 - -- A tribe bordering on and made subject by Idumea; descended from Jokshan, son of Abraham and Keturah (Gen 25:1-3).
A tribe bordering on and made subject by Idumea; descended from Jokshan, son of Abraham and Keturah (Gen 25:1-3).

JFB: Jer 49:8 - -- The naming of Edom's progenitor, reprobated by God, recalls the remembrance of the old curse on him for his profanity, both his sin and its punishment...
The naming of Edom's progenitor, reprobated by God, recalls the remembrance of the old curse on him for his profanity, both his sin and its punishment being perpetuated in his descendants (Heb 12:16-17).
Clarke: Jer 49:1 - -- Concerning the Ammonites - This prophetic discourse was also delivered after the capture of Jerusalem
Concerning the Ammonites - This prophetic discourse was also delivered after the capture of Jerusalem

Clarke: Jer 49:1 - -- Hath Israel no sons? - no heir? - The Ammonites, it appears, took advantage of the depressed state of Israel, and invaded their territories in the t...
Hath Israel no sons? - no heir? - The Ammonites, it appears, took advantage of the depressed state of Israel, and invaded their territories in the tribe of Gad, hoping to make them their own for ever. But the prophet intimates that God will preserve the descendants of Israel, and will bring them back to their forfeited inheritances

Clarke: Jer 49:1 - -- Why then doth their king - מלכם Malcom or Milcom , the chief idol of the Ammonites. That the idol Milcom is here meant is sufficiently eviden...
Why then doth their king -

Clarke: Jer 49:3 - -- Run to and fro by the hedges - It is supposed that this may refer to the women making lamentations for the dead, that were in general buried by the ...
Run to and fro by the hedges - It is supposed that this may refer to the women making lamentations for the dead, that were in general buried by the walls of their gardens; but others think that it refers to the smaller cities or villages, called here the daughters of Rabbah, the metropolis; the inhabitants of which are exhorted to seek safety somewhere else, as none can be expected from them, now that the enemy is at hand.

Clarke: Jer 49:4 - -- Wherefore gloriest thou - Though thy valleys be fruitful, yet glory not in them. Though thou have much political and military power, do not trust in...
Wherefore gloriest thou - Though thy valleys be fruitful, yet glory not in them. Though thou have much political and military power, do not trust in them, nor in the multitude of thy cities; a stronger than thou is coming against thee.

Clarke: Jer 49:6 - -- Afterward I will bring again - The Ammonites are supposed to have returned with the Moabites and Israelites, on permission given by the edict of Cyr...
Afterward I will bring again - The Ammonites are supposed to have returned with the Moabites and Israelites, on permission given by the edict of Cyrus.

Concerning Edom - This is a new and separate discourse

Teman - A part of Idumea, put here for the whole country.

Clarke: Jer 49:8 - -- Dwell deep - An allusion to the custom of the Arabs, who, when about to be attacked by a powerful foe, strike their tents, pack up their utensils, l...
Dwell deep - An allusion to the custom of the Arabs, who, when about to be attacked by a powerful foe, strike their tents, pack up their utensils, lade their camels, which they can do in a couple of hours, and set off to the great desert, and so bury themselves in it that no enemy either will or can pursue, as it is the Arabs alone that know the deserts, and can find water and provender for their support

Dedan - Was a city of Idumea, not far from Teman.
Calvin: Jer 49:1 - -- We have said that the Ammonites were not only contiguous to the Moabites, but had also derived their origin from Lot, and were thus connected with th...
We have said that the Ammonites were not only contiguous to the Moabites, but had also derived their origin from Lot, and were thus connected with them by blood. Their origin was indeed base and shameful, for they were, as it is well known, the offspring of incest. There was, however, the bond of fraternity between them, because both nations had the same father. God had spared them when he brought up his people from Egypt; for in remembrance of the holy man Lot, he would have both peoples to remain uninjured. But ingratitude doubled their crime, for these impious men ceased not in various ways to harass the children of Abraham.: For this reason, therefore, does Jeremiah now prophesy against them.
And we see here, again, the object of this prophecy and the design of the Holy Spirit in announcing it, even that the Israelites might know that they were not so completely cast away by God, but that there remained some remnants of his paternal favor; for if the Moabites and the Ammonites had been free from all evils, it would have been a most grievous trial; it would have been enough to overwhelm weak minds to see a people whom God had adopted, miserably oppressed and severely chastised, while heathen nations were remaining quiet in the enjoyment of their pleasures, and exulting also over the calamities of others. God, then, in order to mitigate the grief and sorrow which the children of Israel derived from their troubles and calamities, shews that he would yet show them favor, because he would carry on war against their enemies, and become the avenger of all the wrongs which they had suffered. It was no common consolation for the Israelites to hear that they were still the objects of God’s care, who, nevertheless, seemed in various ways to have poured forth his wrath upon them in a full stream. We now, then, see the reason why Jeremiah denounced destruction on the Ammonites, as he did before on the Moabites.
Then he says, To the children of Ammon: 28 Are there no children to Israel? Hath he no heir? It was a trial very grievous to the miserable Israelites to see a part of the inheritance promised them by God forcibly taken from them by the Ammonites; for what must have come to their minds but that they had been deceived by vain promises? But it had happened, that the Ammonites had deprived the children of Israel of a part of their inheritance. Hence the Prophet teaches us here, that though God connived for a time, and passed by this robbery, he yet would not suffer the Ammonites to go unpunished for having taken to themselves what justly belonged to others. Hence it is added, Why doth their king inherit Gad ?
I know not why Jerome rendered
“For three of the transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not be propitious to them, because they have cut off the mountain of Gilead.” 30 (Amo 1:13)
He speaks there metaphorically, because God had fixed the limits between the tribe of Gad and the children of Ammon, so that both might be satisfied with their own inheritance. But the children of Ammon had broken through and expelled the tribe of Gad from the cities of Mount Gilead. This, then, is what now our Prophet means, even that they had taken to themselves that part of the land which had been allotted to the children of Gad; for it immediately follows, and his people dwell in his cities, even in the cities which had been given by lot to that tribe; for we know that a possession beyond Jordan had been given to the children of Gad. We now, then, perceive the meaning of the words.
God, then, shews that he had not forgotten his covenant, though he had for a time suffered the Ammonites to invade the inheritance which he had conferred on the children of Israel; yet the Gaddites would at length recover what had been unjustly taken from them. For it was a robbery not to be endured, that the Ammonites should have dared to take to themselves that land, which was not the property of men, but rather of God himself, for he had called it his rest, because he would have his people to dwell there. And though God inflicted a just punishment on the Gaddites when he expelled them from their inheritance, yet he afterwards punished the children of Ammon, as he is wont to chastise his own children by the hand of the wicked, and at length to render them also their just reward. It now follows —

Calvin: Jer 49:2 - -- God testifies here plainly that he would not suffer the Ammonites for ever to enjoy their unjust plunder. He says that the days would come, in order...
God testifies here plainly that he would not suffer the Ammonites for ever to enjoy their unjust plunder. He says that the days would come, in order to sustain with hope the minds of his children: for the Prophet announced his prediction at a time when the Ammonites were in a state of security; and then, some years elapsed while that people enjoyed their spoils. He therefore holds here the minds of the faithful in suspense, that they might learn patiently to wait until the fixed time of God’s vengeance came. For this reason, then, he says, that the days would come when God would cause the trumpet of war to resound in Rabbah He speaks as of a thing extraordinary, for the Ammonites thought, as we shall see, that they should never be in any danger. As, then, they proudly trusted in their own strength, the Prophet speaks here of the trumpet of war in Rabbah, which was the metropolis of the whole land. Some think that it was Philadelphia, a name given to it by Ptolemy. Interpreters, however, do not agree; but the opinion mostly received is, that it was Philadelphia. Now, as to the main thing, there is no doubt but that it was then the chief seat of government, and the capital of the kingdom, because the Prophet, stating a part for the whole, includes the whole land when he speaks of this city.
He says that she would become a heap of desolation But this was then wholly incredible, because Rabbah was so fortified that no one thought that it could be destroyed. But the Prophet now declares that the whole city would be demolished, so that neither walls nor private houses would remain, but that it would be a deformed mass of ruins. He adds, her daughters shall be burned with fire By daughters he no doubt understands towns and villages; and hence is confirmed what I have said, that Rabbah was then the chief city of the whole land of Ammon. At the end of the verse he says, Israel shall possess all who possess them 31 By these words Jeremiah again confirms what I have slightly referred to, that the calamity of the Ammonites would be a testimony as to God’s paternal kindness towards his chosen people, because he resolved to avenge the wrongs done to them. As, then, God undertook the cause of the Israelites as his own, he sufficiently manifested the favor he had intended for his people, and for no other reason, but because he had gratuitously chosen them.
It may be asked, when was this prophecy fulfilled? God, indeed, under David, gave some indication of their future subjection, but Israel never possessed that land. Indeed, from that time Ammon had not been brought low until after the overthrow of Israel. It then follows that what Jeremiah predicted here, was not fully accomplished except under the kingdom of Christ. David humbled that nation, because he had received a great indignity from the king of Ammon; and he took also Rabbah, as it is evident front sacred history. (2Sa 12:29, etc.; 1Ch 20:1.) He was yet satisfied with making the people tributary. From that time they not only shook off the yoke, but exercised authority within the borders of Israel; and that the Israelites had recovered what they had lost, we nowhere read. 32 Then Israel began to possess power over the Ammonites when the kingdom of Christ was established; by which all heathen nations were not only brought into subjection and under the yoke, but all unworthy of mercy were also reduced to nothing. What is added at the end of the verse is not superfluous; for the Prophet introduces God as the speaker, because he speaks of great things, and of which it was difficult to be fully convinced. It now follows —

Calvin: Jer 49:3 - -- The Prophet now triumphs, as it were, over the land of Ammon, and, according to his accustomed manner, as we have before seen; for had the prophets s...
The Prophet now triumphs, as it were, over the land of Ammon, and, according to his accustomed manner, as we have before seen; for had the prophets spoken without metaphors, and simply narrated the things treated of by them, their words would have been frigid and inefficient, and would not have penetrated into the hearts of men. This, then, is the reason why the prophets adopted an elevated style, and adorned with grandeur their prophecies; for they never, like rhetoricians, affected eloquence, but necessity so urged them, that they represented to the eyes those things which they could not otherwise form a conception of in their minds. On this subject we have spoken often already; but I am again constrained briefly to touch on it, because those who are not well acquainted with Scripture, and do not understand the design of the Holy Spirit, may think that words only are here poured forth. But when we duly weigh what I have said, then we shall readily acknowledge that the Prophet did not, without reason, enlarge on what he had previously said.
Howl, thou Heshbon, he says, for Ai is laid waste These were two neighboring cities: hence he exhorts Heshbon to howl on seeing the overthrow of another city. He then adds, Cry, or cry aloud, ye daughters of Rabbah He again repeats what he had before touched upon as to the city Rabbah. Gird yourselves, he says, with sackcloth, or put on sackcloth. He does not here exhort the citizens of Rabbah to repentance, but he speaks according to the customs of the people, as it has been stated elsewhere. Sackcloth was, indeed, a symbol of penitence; when the miserable wished humbly to flee to God’s mercy, and to confess their sins, they put on sackcloth. But the unbelieving imitated the faithful without discretion or judgment. Hence it was, that they scattered ashes on their heads, that without any reason they put on sackcloth. What was then commonly done is now mentioned by Jeremiah; Put on sackcloth, he says, lament and run here and there by the fences
He afterwards adds in the third person, for gone is their king into captivity. He expressed this, that the Israelites might know, that though that kingdom flourished for a time, yet the day of which the Prophet had spoken would come, when the condition of the Ammonites would be nothing better than that of the Israelites; whose king, as it was known, had been driven into exile, together with the priests and princes. The Prophet now denounces the same punishment on the Ammonites, that not only their king would be driven into another land, as a captive, but also their princes and their priests. It follows —

Calvin: Jer 49:4 - -- As the minds of men continually vacillate, because they do not sufficiently consider the infinite power of God, the Prophet, that he might remove all...
As the minds of men continually vacillate, because they do not sufficiently consider the infinite power of God, the Prophet, that he might remove all obstacles which might have rendered his prophecy doubtful, now declares that the Ammonites gloried in vain in their valleys. Some understand by valleys a fertile land, well watered. But the Prophet, as I think, refers rather to fortified places. He then says, that they in vain gloried in their deep valleys; as they were surrounded with mountains, so they thought that they could not be approached. He derides this vain confidence, Why, he says, dost thou glory in thy valleys, or, profundities? Flown down has thy valley. By saying, that the valley, or depth, had flown down, he alludes to its situation: for when any one considers a region situated among mountains, the land appears as flowing, like a river gliding between its banks. It is then a striking allusion to a deep place, when he says that the valley flowed down 33 It was the same as though he had said, “Thy depth has vanished,” or, “It shall not be to thee such a protection as thou thinkest.” But the meaning is, that though the Ammonites, confiding in their defences, disregarded all attacks of enemies, they would yet be exposed to plunder; for their mountains and valleys would avail them nothing, notwithstanding the opinion they entertained, that they were so fortified, that they could not be assailed.
He calls Ammon a rebellious, or a backsliding daughter, though he mentions no particulars. But Ezekiel and also Amos and Zephaniah, these three, clearly show why God was so severe towards the Ammonites, (Eze 25:0; Amo 1:13; Zep 2:9;) it was because they had uttered blasphemies against him and his people, exulted over the miseries and calamities of the chosen people, and plundered them when they saw them overcome by their enemies. For these reasons, then, our Prophet now calls them a rebellious people: they had proudly exalted themselves against God, and exercised cruel tyranny as to the miserable Israelites, who were yet, as it has been stated, connected with them by blood.
Who trusts in her secrecies, or hidden places: rendered by some, “in her treasures.” But as

Calvin: Jer 49:5 - -- Jeremiah at length concludes his prophecy, by saying, that God would dissipate that foolish confidence through which the Ammonites were filled with p...
Jeremiah at length concludes his prophecy, by saying, that God would dissipate that foolish confidence through which the Ammonites were filled with pride, because he would bring a terror on them. He sets up terror in opposition to that security in which the Ammonites lay torpid; for they were inebriated, as it were, with their pleasures. And then the strongholds by which they thought themselves protected, so hardened their hearts, that they feared no danger. God then sets up this terror in opposition to the false arrogance by which they were inflated: I bring, then, a terror from all around thee. And this was not without reason added, for the Ammonites thought that they could, on some side, escape, if enemies pressed hard on them; and as there were many outlets, they thought it impossible that they should fall into the hands of enemies. But God declares that they would be in every way full of fear, for terror would surround and besiege them, so that they could not escape.
He then adds, Ye shall be driven out, every one to his face, or, before his face. This would be the effect of terror, because God would deprive them of all thought; for when we flee in haste, and only regard any opening that may present itself, it is evident that we are driven by terror. As we say in French, Il court devant soi; so the Prophet says here, Ye shall be driven out, every one before his face, that is, “ye shall flee wherever a place may be open to you.” He shews that they would be so full of fear, that they would not consider which would be the best way, nor think of a safe retreat; they would, in short, think of nothing but of flight. And to the same purpose is what follows: There will be none to gather the dispersed: for when trembling seizes the hearts of the multitude, they can yet be recalled, when one who has more courage than the rest encourages them to stop, as we know that many armies have been in this way saved; for as to soldiers, when suddenly seized with fear, a leader has often been able to gather them again. But the Prophet, when he says, that there would be none to call them back from flight, intimates their destruction. He at length subjoins —

Calvin: Jer 49:6 - -- He now says the same thing of the children of Ammon, as he said before of the Moabites, that some hope yet remained for them, for God would at length...
He now says the same thing of the children of Ammon, as he said before of the Moabites, that some hope yet remained for them, for God would at length show mercy to that nation. But, as we have said, these promises were but adventitious, because God had chosen but one people to be a Father to them; and the children of Abraham must be viewed as distinct from all other nations. But though God built, as it were, a wall to separate his people from aliens, it was yet his will to give some preludes of his favor, and of the calling of the Gentiles. The Prophet, then, had here a regard to the kingdom of Christ. The promise, no doubt, extended itself to his coming; for he speaks of the calling of the Gentiles, which God deferred until he manifested his own Son to the world. It is the same then, as though the Prophet had said, that God’s mercy would at length be showed to the Ammonites in common with others; that is, when God would gather his Church from the whole world, and unite, in one body, those who were before scattered. Nor is there a doubt but that the Prophet, speaking of the children of Ammon, intended to show what was to be manifested through all parts of the world. And so it is, that on our calling is our salvation founded, for we see that the gospel has not been, without a design, proclaimed to the world; but as God had determined and settled this from the beginning, so we see that Jeremiah was a herald of our adoption. This, then, is the import of what is said. He afterwards passes over to the children of Edom. But I cannot now proceed farther.

Calvin: Jer 49:7 - -- Here Jeremiah turns to Idumeans, who were most inveterate enemies to the chosen people, though their origin ought to have disposed them to show kindn...
Here Jeremiah turns to Idumeans, who were most inveterate enemies to the chosen people, though their origin ought to have disposed them to show kindness to them, for they had descended from the same father, even Abraham. The Idumeans also gloried in their holy descent, and had circumcision in common with the Jews. It was then a most impious cruelty that the Idumeans entertained such bitter hatred towards their own blood. Hence our Prophet most severely reproved them, as also did Ezekiel and Obadiah. (Eze 25:12; Oba 1:1)
He says first, Is there not wisdom any more in Teman? By these words he intimates, that though the Idumeans thought themselves safe through their own counsels, because they excelled in acuteness, it yet would avail them nothing, for the Lord would blind them and deprive them of a sane mind; for what is put here interrogatively is declared plainly by Obadiah, (Oba 1:8) even in God’s name,
“I will take away wisdom from Teman, and there shall be no understanding in Mount Esau.”
But as Obadiah had preceded Jeremiah, it was necessary that he should speak of this as of a future thing. But our Prophet, as the judgment of which Obadiah was a witness and a herald, was near at hand, boldly exults over the Idumeans, and laughs at their reproach, inasmuch as they were deprived of counsel and understanding when they had most need of them. Teman, no doubt, was the name of a mountain or of a region; and this we learn from the Prophet Habakkuk,
“God shall come from Teman, and the holy one from Mount Paran.” (Hab 3:3)
It was also a chief city, as we learn form other places; and our Prophet sets it forth as the seat of the kingdom, when he says, Is there not wisdom in Teman? and then, Has counsel perished from the intelligent?
I wonder that interpreters, skillful in the language and conversant in it, should render the last word “ sons, ” for it is unsuitable to the place. 34 The word, no doubt, is derived from
He then adds, Rotten has become their wisdom. The verb
I give then this explanation: he first says, Is there wisdom no more in Teman? He exclaims, as though the thing was very strange, “How can this be! is the very fountain of wisdom exhausted? Who could have thought that a city so renowned for wisdom would become so fatuitous as not to know her approaching calamity, so as to meet it, and apply in time the remedy?” And to the same effect he adds, Has counsel perished from the intelligent? At length he subjoins, Abounded has their wisdom; and this he says, in order to show a reason for his astonishment. 35
But we must notice the sameness and the difference between our Prophet and Obadiah. The latter foretold the blindness of that nation; but our Prophet, as though he wished to rouse from their torpor those who had been inattentive to the prophecy of Obadiah, exclaims, “How has wisdom perished from Teman, and counsel from the intelligent?” We must further observe, that this punishment was by God inflicted on the Idumeans, because they had applied all their thoughts to frauds and intrigues; and it seldom happens, but that they who excel in acuteness become very sharp and fraudulent. As then men are thus wont to abuse for the most part their knowledge, God blinds them, and shews that men cannot of themselves be wise, but as far as it is given them from above. As I have already said, the Prophet enlarges on this judgment, that he might the more effectually rouse the minds of men. For had the Idumeans been rustics, such as dwell among mountains, and had no report prevailed as to their wisdom, no one would have wondered that they were taken and subdued; for simple and unwary men are exposed to the intrigues of their enemies, and cannot escape them. But the Prophet, in order to set forth this judgment of God as wonderful, says that their wisdom had been as it were overflowing, that is, like an abundant treasure, for they administered counsel to others. As, then, the Idumeans so much excelled in intelligence, especially those who dwelt in the city Teman, the Prophet shews by this very circumstance that their blindness proceeded from the manifest vengeance of God, and that such a change did not happen by chance. It follows, —

Calvin: Jer 49:8 - -- The Prophet shews here how great was the pride of that nation, and sets it as it were before their eyes. Flee, he says; the language is abrupt, yet ...
The Prophet shews here how great was the pride of that nation, and sets it as it were before their eyes. Flee, he says; the language is abrupt, yet the meaning is not ambiguous. The meaning is, that when any one warned the Idumeans to flee, none of them would move; nay, they would remain fixed in their own country, for they thought that they would have there a perpetual quietness. The citizens of Dedan have made deep their habitation He names another city not far from Teman. He then adds, in God’s name, But I will bring destruction on Esau in the time of his visitation 36
We now understand the design of the Prophet, — that he wished to set before our eyes how proudly the Idumeans trusted in their defences, as they never could be persuaded to flee. The Prophet then, as God’s herald, declares that they would have to flee. But what did they do? They made deep their habitation, that is, they would remain quiet in their own country, as though they were fixed in the center of the earth, and therefore unassailable. By saying then that they made deep, he sets forth their obstinacy, so that no one could terrify them, though he announced extreme dangers. But it was his purpose thus to strengthen confidence in his prophecy, because the greatest part of the faithful could form no judgment but according to the present aspect of things; and the Idumeans proudly laughed at all threatenings. That the faithful then might not think that the Idumeans would be safe, he afterwards adds, in God’s name, “Behold, I will bring ruin on Esau.” He mentions their father, and the Idumeans, we know, descended from Esau the first-born of Isaac; and hence they were of the same blood with the Israelites. But the Prophet, by bringing forward the name of a reprobate man, intended, no doubt, to renew the memory of a curse, for Esau had been rejected, and his younger brother Jacob succeeded in his place. Hence the Prophet, that he might gain more credit to his words, brought before the people what was well known to them, that Esau had been rejected by God; for on the rejection of Esau depended their gratuitous election and adoption.
And he says that God would be the avenger of that nation at the time of visitation; for as I have before reminded you, what we have read was not immediately fulfilled. When, therefore, the Israelites suffered extreme calamities, their hope might a hundred times have failed them, on seeing the Idumeans remaining still as it were asleep in their pleasures, and these judgments of God as it were buried; for it might have come to their minds that all which Jeremiah had declared had passed away like smoke. Hence, to sustain their hope and patience, he sets before them here the time of visitation; as though he had said, that the Idumeans also would have their turn, after God had patiently borne with their impiety and spared them for a long time. But of this we shall hereafter see. Now, as I have shown elsewhere, the words which remind us of the time of God’s visitations, ought to be noticed, that we may not by hastening fall headlong, as it is usually the case; for they who are in a hurry, fall at the first step. That we may then learn to wait for the ripened time, let this remain fixed in our minds, that God has his settled seasons of visitations. It now follows —
Defender -> Jer 49:6
Defender: Jer 49:6 - -- Ammon was the brother of Moab, both sons of Lot by his two daughters (Gen 19:36-38). The Ammonites lived north and east of the Moabites and were even ...
Ammon was the brother of Moab, both sons of Lot by his two daughters (Gen 19:36-38). The Ammonites lived north and east of the Moabites and were even more perpetually at enmity with Israel than the Moabites. Like the latter, they were fiercely defeated by Nebuchadrezzar but continued to exist as a minor nation until sometime after Christ and eventually disappeared. Their descendants, like the Moabites and others in the region, eventually became amalgamated with the Arabs and now are represented mainly by the nation called Jordan. Their chief god was Molech, often a stumbling block to Israel. Presumably because of their ancestral relation to Israel, both Moab and Ammon will be revived as nations in the latter days (Jer 48:47). The modern-day capital of Jordan is Amman, the same city as the once-desolate Rabbath-Ammon, the ancient capital before its takeover by "the men of the East" (Eze 25:4)."
TSK: Jer 49:1 - -- am 3421, bc 583
Concerning : or, Against, Jer 49:7, Jer 49:23, Jer 49:28, Jer 48:1
Ammonites : Jer 25:9, Jer 25:21, Jer 27:3; Gen 19:38; Deu 2:19, Deu...
am 3421, bc 583
Concerning : or, Against, Jer 49:7, Jer 49:23, Jer 49:28, Jer 48:1
Ammonites : Jer 25:9, Jer 25:21, Jer 27:3; Gen 19:38; Deu 2:19, Deu 23:3; 2Ch 20:1, 2Ch 20:23; Psa 83:7; Eze 21:28-32, Eze 25:2-10; Amo 1:13-15; Zep 2:8-11
their king : or, Melcom, Jdg 10:7, Jdg 10:8, Jdg 11:13-15; 1Sa 11:1-3; 2Ki 10:33, 2Ki 24:2; Neh 2:19, Neh 4:7; Neh 13:1, Neh 13:2
cities : Psa 9:6

TSK: Jer 49:2 - -- that I will : Jer 4:19; Eze 25:4-6; Amo 1:14
Rabbah : Deu 3:11; Jos 13:24, Jos 13:25; Eze 21:20, Rabbath
her daughters : Num 21:25 *marg. 2Sa 11:1, 2S...
that I will : Jer 4:19; Eze 25:4-6; Amo 1:14
Rabbah : Deu 3:11; Jos 13:24, Jos 13:25; Eze 21:20, Rabbath
her daughters : Num 21:25 *marg. 2Sa 11:1, 2Sa 12:27-29; Psa 48:11, Psa 97:8; Eze 16:46-55
shall Israel : Jer 49:1; Isa 14:1-3; Oba 1:19

TSK: Jer 49:3 - -- Howl : Jer 48:20, Jer 51:8; Isa 13:6, Isa 14:31, Isa 15:2, Isa 16:7, Isa 23:1, Isa 23:6; Jam 5:1
gird : Jer 4:8, Jer 6:26, Jer 48:37; Isa 32:11, Isa 3...

TSK: Jer 49:4 - -- gloriest : Jer 9:23; Isa 28:1-4, Isa 47:7, Isa 47:8; Rev 18:7
thy flowing valley : or, they valley floweth away
O backsliding : Jer 3:14, Jer 7:24; Ho...

TSK: Jer 49:5 - -- I will : Jer 49:29, Jer 15:8, Jer 20:4, Jer 48:41-44; Jos 2:9; 2Ki 7:6, 2Ki 7:7, 2Ki 19:7; Job 15:21; Pro 28:1
ye shall : Jer 46:5; Amo 4:3
none : Isa...


TSK: Jer 49:7 - -- Edom : Jer 25:9, Jer 25:21; Gen 25:30, Gen 27:41, Gen 36:8; Num 20:14-21, Num 24:17, Num 24:18; Deu 23:7; Psa 83:4-10, Psa 137:7; Isa. 34:1-17, Isa 63...
Edom : Jer 25:9, Jer 25:21; Gen 25:30, Gen 27:41, Gen 36:8; Num 20:14-21, Num 24:17, Num 24:18; Deu 23:7; Psa 83:4-10, Psa 137:7; Isa. 34:1-17, Isa 63:1-6; Eze 25:12-14, Eze 35:1-15; Dan 11:41; Joe 3:19; Amo 1:11, Amo 1:12; Oba 1:1-9; Mal 1:3, Mal 1:4
Is wisdom : Jer 18:18; Job 5:12-14; Isa 19:11-13, Isa 29:14; Oba 1:8; Rom 1:22, Rom 1:23
Teman : Jer 49:20; Gen 36:11, Gen 36:15; 1Ch 1:53; Job 2:11, Job 4:1; Eze 25:13; Amo 1:12; Oba 1:9; Hab 3:3

TSK: Jer 49:8 - -- Flee : Jer 49:30, Jer 6:1, Jer 48:6; Mat 24:15-18; Rev 6:15
turn back : or, they are turned back
dwell : Jer 48:28; Jdg 6:2; 1Sa 13:6; Isa 2:21; Amo 9...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Jer 49:1 - -- Hath Israel no sons? - i. e., the Ammonites in seizing Gilead have acted as if the country had no rightful owner. The sons of Israel were to re...
Hath Israel no sons? - i. e., the Ammonites in seizing Gilead have acted as if the country had no rightful owner. The sons of Israel were to return from captivity, and the land was their hereditary property.
Their king - Milcom (and in Jer 49:3), see the margin. The Ammonite god stands for the Ammonites just as Chemosh Jer 48:7 is the equivalent of the Moabites.
Inherit - i. e., take possession of.

Barnes: Jer 49:2 - -- Rabbah - i. e., the "great city."See 2Sa 12:27 note for a distinction between Rabbah, the citadel, and the town itself, lying below upon the Ja...

Barnes: Jer 49:3 - -- Ai - Not the town on the west of the Jordan Jos 7:2; a place not mentioned elsewhere. For Ai some read Ar. Hedges - Fields were not divid...

Barnes: Jer 49:4 - -- Thy flowing valley - The (fertile) valley in which Rabbah was situated. The Septuagint again has: "in the valleys of the Anakim,"as in Jer 47:5...
Thy flowing valley - The (fertile) valley in which Rabbah was situated. The Septuagint again has: "in the valleys of the Anakim,"as in Jer 47:5 (see the note).

Barnes: Jer 49:5 - -- Every man right forth - The Ammonites will live in terror of the tribes which rove in the neighborhood, and at the slightest alarm will flee st...
Every man right forth - The Ammonites will live in terror of the tribes which rove in the neighborhood, and at the slightest alarm will flee straight away without resistance.

In 1 Macc. 5:6, 7, the Ammonites appear again as a powerful nation.

Barnes: Jer 49:7-22 - -- Edom stretched along the south of Judah from the border of Moab on the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean and the Arabian deserts, and held the same rela...
Edom stretched along the south of Judah from the border of Moab on the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean and the Arabian deserts, and held the same relation to Judah which Moab held toward the kingdom of Israel. Although expressly reserved from attack by Moses Deu 2:5, a long feud caused the Edomites to cherish so bitter an enmity against Judah, that they exulted with cruel joy over the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldaeans, and showed great cruelty toward those why fled to them for refuge.
Of the prophecies against Edom the first eight verses of Obadiah are also found in Jeremiah (see the marginal references). As Jeremiah wrote before the capture of Jerusalem, and Obadiah apparently after it (see Jer 49:13-14), it might seem certain that Obadiah copied from Jeremiah. Others held the reverse view; while some consider that the two prophets may both have made common use of some ancient prediction. See the introduction to Obadiah.
The prophecy is divisible into three strophes. In the first Jer 49:7-13, the prophet describes Edom as terror-stricken.
Teman - A strip of land on the northeast of Edom, put here for Edom generally. Its inhabitants were among those "children of the East"famed for wisdom, because of their skill in proverbs and dark sayings.
Dwell deep - Jer 49:30. The Dedanites, who were used to travel through the Edomite territory with their caravans, are advised to retire as far as possible into the Arabian deserts to be out of the way of the invaders.
Translate it: "If vintagers come to thee, they will not leave any gleaning: if thieves by night, they will destroy their fill."
But - For. The reason why the invaders destroy Edom so completely. His secret places are the hiding-places in the mountains of Seir.
His seed - Esau’ s seed, the Edomites; his brethren are the nations joined with him in the possession of the land, Amalek, and perhaps the Simeonites; his neighbors are Dedan, Tema, Buz.
As with Moab Jer 48:47, and Ammon Jer 49:6, so there is mercy for Edom. The widows shall be protected, and in the orphans of Edom the nation shall once again revive.
Translate it: "Behold they whose rule was not to drink of the cup shall surely drink etc."It was not the ordinary manner of God’ s people to suffer from His wrath: but now when they are drinking of the wine-cup of fury Jer 25:15, how can those not in covenant with Him hope to escape?
The second strophe, Edom’ s chastisement.
Rumour - Or, "revelation."
Ambassador - Or, messenger, i. e., herald. The business of an ambassador is to negotiate, of a herald to carry a message.
Small ... - Rather, small among the nations, i. e., of no political importance.
Edom’ s "terribleness"consisted in her cities being hewn in the sides of inaccessible rocks, from where she could suddenly descend for predatory warfare, and retire to her fastnesses without fear of reprisals.
The clefts of the rock - Or, the fastnesses of Sela, the rock-city, Petra (see Isa 16:1).
The hill - i. e., Bozrah.
Better, "And Edom shall become a terror: every passer by shalt be terrified, and shudder etc."
Neighbour ... - Admah and Zeboim.
A son of man - i. e., "Any man."From 536 a.d. onward, Petra suddenly vanishes from the pages of history. Only in the present century was its real site discovered.
Concluding strophe. The fall of Edom is compared to the state of a flock worried by an enemy strong as a lion Jer 4:7, and swift as an eagle.
The swelling of Jordan - Or, the pride of Jordan, the thickets on his banks (marginal reference note).
Against the habitation of the strong - Or, to the abiding pasturage. The lion stalks forth from the jungle to attack the fold, sure to find sheep there because of the perennial (evergreen) pasturage: "but I will suddenly make him (the flock, Edom) run away from her (or it, the pasturage)."
And who is a chosen ... - Better, and I will appoint over it, the abandoned land of Edom, him who is chosen, i. e., my chosen ruler Nebuchadnezzar.
Who will appoint me the time? - The plaintiff, in giving notice of a suit, had to mention the time when the defendant must appear (see the margin). Yahweh identifies himself with Nebuchadnezzar Jer 25:9, and shows the hopelessness of Edom’ s cause. For who is like Yahweh, His equal in power and might? Who will dare litigate with Him, and question His right? etc.
Surely the least ... - Rather, Surely they will worry them, the feeble ones of the flock: surely their pasture shall be terror-stricken over them. No shepherd can resist Nebuchadnezzar Jer 49:19, but all flee, and leave the sheep unprotected. Thereupon, the Chaldaeans enter, and treat the poor feeble flock so barbarously, that the very fold is horrified at their cruelty.
Is moved - Quakes.
At the cry ... - The arrangement is much more poetical in the Hebrew, The shriek - to the sea of Suph (Exo 10:19 note) is heard its sound.
Nebuchadnezzar shall swoop down like an eagle, the emblem of swiftness.
Poole: Jer 49:2 - -- Because the Ammonites had violently seized upon some part of the Jews’ land, and (as we have it, Amo 1:13,14 ) cruelly ripped up the women wi...
Because the Ammonites had violently seized upon some part of the Jews’ land, and (as we have it, Amo 1:13,14 ) cruelly ripped up the women with child in Gilead , that they might enlarge their border, God threatens a war to Rabbah, Amo 1:14 , calls it a fire, which should make Rabbah a heap. Of this Rabbah, as the head city of the Ammonites, we read Deu 3:11 Jos 13:25 15:60 . It was there where, in David’ s time, Uriah was slain, 2Sa 11:1,17 12:26 . It is threatened by Jeremiah in this chapter, and Eze 25:5 Amo 1:13,14 . We read not how or when this prophecy was fulfilled, whether by the Maccabees, /APC 1Ma 5:6 , or rather after the coming of Christ, when most of these nations were destroyed. God threatens not only their metropolis, which was Rabbah their mother city, but all the other cities belonging to the Ammonites, which were as it were daughters to Rabbah. But how the last clause of this prophecy was ever fulfilled, if it were not in the time of the Maccabees, I cannot understand; for though they were swallowed up afterward by the Roman empire, yet Israel being also subdued by them, and scattered into all parts, it is not likely that many of them were suffered to, abide in any considerable numbers in a country so near their own.

Poole: Jer 49:3 - -- Heshbon was formerly a city of the Amorites, of whom Sihon was king, who resided here (but it appears by Jer 49:26 that it was taken from Moab); it ...
Heshbon was formerly a city of the Amorites, of whom Sihon was king, who resided here (but it appears by Jer 49:26 that it was taken from Moab); it is probable that it was at this time a city of Moab: the prophet calls to them to howl
for Ai a city of the Ammonites, not the same mentioned Jos 7:2 , for that was on the other side of Jordan. It is uncertain whether by the
daughters of Rabbah be to be understood other lesser cities, or the younger women that inhabited Rabbah: he calls to them all to mourn; and for all the indications or signs of mourning, such as girding with sackcloth, running up and down, like persons distracted, by the hedges, where they might be hidden, and not so easily seen. For they shall all go together into captivity; their Melcom , which may signify their idol to whom they gave that name, or their
king or else their supreme magistrate, with their
priests and nobles , all orders of persons.

Poole: Jer 49:4 - -- It should seem that this country was full of very fruitful valleys, which we know are always the most fertile places, lying lower and at a greater d...
It should seem that this country was full of very fruitful valleys, which we know are always the most fertile places, lying lower and at a greater distance from the sun than mountains, and also receiving at second hand the moisture that falls upon the hills, and being usually watered with rivers; from whence they may be called
flowing valleys either as flowing with receptacles of water, or plenty of corn and grass; though some read it, (and it seems rather more agreeable to the Hebrew,) thy valley floweth , either with the blood of men slain, or floweth away, the fertility of it ceaseth or decayeth. Or, floods of waters shall destroy the fruit of thy rich valleys, &c. O backsliding daughter : Ammon having never been in covenant with God, the word in the Hebrew (though it comes from
That trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? thou that trustedst in thy riches, or in thy valleys full of riches, and promisedst thyself security from the situation of thy rich country, thinking none could come at thee.

Poole: Jer 49:5 - -- As secure as you think yourselves, I will cause you to be afraid, and your enemies shall be all those that are round about you. And you shall be dri...
As secure as you think yourselves, I will cause you to be afraid, and your enemies shall be all those that are round about you. And you shall be driven out every man, either right forth, into some country opposite to you, or apart one from another, or so that you shall be glad to flee right forth, and never look back, but only forward, for any place of safety that appeareth next before you. And when you are wandering, being driven by your enemies, you shall find none who will be willing to receive or entertain you.

Poole: Jer 49:6 - -- Such a promise we read of Jer 48:47 , concerning Moab, but when this was fulfilled the Scripture saith not. Josephus tells us something; but it is r...
Such a promise we read of Jer 48:47 , concerning Moab, but when this was fulfilled the Scripture saith not. Josephus tells us something; but it is rather thought to refer to the conversion of some of the Ammonites as well as other heathens unto Christ.

Poole: Jer 49:7 - -- The Edomites were the posterity of Esau the eldest son of Isaac, but disinherited, the blessing being given to his younger brother Jacob, who was th...
The Edomites were the posterity of Esau the eldest son of Isaac, but disinherited, the blessing being given to his younger brother Jacob, who was the head of the twelve tribes of the Israelites, Gen 27:29 . God there, Gen 27:39 , promised him that he should have a fat and plentiful country, though his brother should be his lord, and foretold that he should break his brother’ s yoke from off his neck; the land of Seir was his country, Gen 32:3 . The Edomites coasted southward upon Canaan, the Israelites passed by their coasts to go into Canaan; their way lay through Edom, but their king refusing to suffer them to go through, God ordered them to go another way. Balaam prophesied their ruin, Num 24:18 . They were enemies to the Israelites in Saul’ s time, 1Sa 14:47 , and in David’ s time, 2Sa 8:14 , and in Amaziah’ s time, 2Ki 14:7 , who slew of them ten thousand, and took Selah, calling it Jokteel. Many of the prophets foretold their ruin. Jeremiah in this place, Eze 25:12-14 Joe 3:19 Amo 9:12 Ob 1,8 Mal 1:4 .
Teman was a city of Edom, mentioned also Eze 25:13 Amo 1:12 Oba 1:9 . Eliphaz, Job’ s friend, was of this place, Job 2:11 . It was a place famous for wise and prudent men, of which Eliphaz was not the meanest. The prophet asks what was become of all their counsel and wisdom, for which the Arabians, the Temanites in particular, were so famous. Now they were at their wits’ end.

Poole: Jer 49:8 - -- Dedan was the son of Jokshan, 1Ch 1:32 , from which it is probable that the city
Dedan had its name; it is reckoned, Jer 25:23 , with Tema and Buz...
Dedan was the son of Jokshan, 1Ch 1:32 , from which it is probable that the city
Dedan had its name; it is reckoned, Jer 25:23 , with Tema and Buz, and is mentioned Eze 27:15,20 38:13 . It was a city of Arabia joining on Idumea, Isa 21:13 . They being neighbours to the Edomites, are called to flee, and to get into caves and holes of the earth, where they might dwell deep in the earth, and be in some security, which they would not be in their own city, so near to the Edomites’ country, for God was resolved to bring misery upon the Edomites, a time of calamity in which he would visit them with his judgments. There are other critical readings of these words, but this seemeth to be the plain sense of them.
Haydock: Jer 49:1 - -- Melchom, the idol of the Ammonites. (Challoner) ---
Gad, to whom a part of their country was assigned. After the captivity this tribe, the Ammoni...
Melchom, the idol of the Ammonites. (Challoner) ---
Gad, to whom a part of their country was assigned. After the captivity this tribe, the Ammonites seized the country, regardless of God's appointment. They joined the Chaldeans afterwards; but the latter could not depend upon them, and sent them into captivity, to revenge the death of Godolias, chap. xli. 2., Sophonias ii. 8., and Ezechiel xxv. 3. (Calmet) ---
They had taken the country as their right, as if all Israel had perished; which God resents. (Worthington)

Haydock: Jer 49:2 - -- Rabbath; called Amana, Astarte, and Philadelphia, by Stephanus. ---
Possess; returning first from captivity, and subduing the cities of Ammon, unde...
Rabbath; called Amana, Astarte, and Philadelphia, by Stephanus. ---
Possess; returning first from captivity, and subduing the cities of Ammon, under Hyrcan, 1 Machabees v. 6.

Haydock: Jer 49:3 - -- Hai, or Je-abarim. Both these cities pertained also to Moab. ---
Hedges. Hebrew Gederoth, may be the city Gadara. ---
Melchom, or Moloc, who ...
Hai, or Je-abarim. Both these cities pertained also to Moab. ---
Hedges. Hebrew Gederoth, may be the city Gadara. ---
Melchom, or Moloc, who claimed dominion over this people. If they had used their reason, they must have seen that he was no god, since the Lord disposed of him as he pleased so long before.

Delicate. Hebrew, "rebel or dissolute." Septuagint, "impudent."

Haydock: Jer 49:7 - -- Edom. This nation was involved in the common ruin, for its barbarity towards God's people, Abdias x., Psalm cxxxvi. 7., and Ezechiel xxv. 12. ---
T...
Edom. This nation was involved in the common ruin, for its barbarity towards God's people, Abdias x., Psalm cxxxvi. 7., and Ezechiel xxv. 12. ---
Theman, renowned formerly for wisdom, Job ii. 11. Yet at the approach of danger, all were confounded. (Calmet) ---
They were only worldly wise. (Worthington)

Haydock: Jer 49:8 - -- Hole. The territory of Edom, from Eleutheropolis to Elath, is full of such. (St. Jerome, in Abdias) ---
Dedan lies south of the Dead Sea. (Calme...
Hole. The territory of Edom, from Eleutheropolis to Elath, is full of such. (St. Jerome, in Abdias) ---
Dedan lies south of the Dead Sea. (Calmet)
Gill: Jer 49:1 - -- Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the Lord,.... Or, "to the Ammonites" u; or, "against" them w; it will bear to be rendered either way, and all is ...
Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the Lord,.... Or, "to the Ammonites" u; or, "against" them w; it will bear to be rendered either way, and all is true; for what is said by the Lord, as follows, is concerning them, their sins, and their punishment, and is directed to them, and is a threatening against them:
hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? certainly he has, and who ought to possess the land; this is to be understood not of the ten tribes, sometimes called Israel, as distinct from the other two; for these had been long ago carried captive, and left no heirs of their tribes; but of all Israel, including the tribes of Judah and Benjamin; who, though their brethren of the ten tribes were carried captive, and left no children to inherit, yet, being next in blood, were the lawful heirs of their lands and possessions:
why then doth their king inherit Gad? that part of the land of Israel which belonged to the tribe of Gad; this, when the ten tribes were carried captive by the king of Assyria, and the Gadites among the rest, was seized on by the Ammonites, with their king at the head of them, lying near unto them; who might also pretend relation, as being the children of Lot, the brother's son of Abraham; or claim it, as having been their own formerly, and so were the lawful heirs of it, as they imagined; when it of right belonged to the children of Judah and Benjamin: or, "why doth Malcam inherit Gad?" x the same with Milcom or Molech, the abomination of the Ammonites, the idol they worshipped, 1Ki 11:5; so Jarchi interprets it. The Ammonites having got possession of the land, set up their idol in it, where temples were built for him, and altars erected, and sacrifices offered to him, so that he might be said to inherit it; and which must be very offensive to, and highly resented by, the God of Israel:
and his people dwelt in his cities: the Ammonites dwelt in the cities belonging to the tribe of Gad, as if they were their own; who are called the people of Milcom, or Molech, just as the Moabites are called the people of Chemosh, from the idol they worshipped, Jer 48:46.

Gill: Jer 49:2 - -- Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord,.... Or, "are coming" y; as they did, in a very little time after this prophecy:
that I will cause...
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord,.... Or, "are coming" y; as they did, in a very little time after this prophecy:
that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; the metropolis of the Ammonites; it was their royal city in the times of David, 1Ki 11:1; called by Polybius z Rabbahamana; and by Ptolemy a Philadelphia, which name it had from Ptolemy Philadelphus, who rebuilt it; this the Lord threatens with the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war, or the noise of warriors, as the Targum; the Chaldean army under Nebuchadnezzar, who, about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, subdued the Ammonites, as Josephus b relates:
and it shall be a desolate heap; be utterly destroyed; its walls broken down, and houses demolished, and made a heap of rubbish: and
her daughters shall be burnt with fire: Rabbah was the mother city, and the other cities of the Ammonites were her daughters, which are threatened to be destroyed with fire by the enemy; or it may mean the villages round about Rabbah, it being usual in Scripture for villages to be called the daughters of cities; see Eze 16:46; so the Targum here paraphrases it,
"the inhabitants of her villages shall be burnt with fire:''
then shall Israel be heirs unto them that were his heirs, saith the Lord: that is, shall inherit their land again, which the Ammonites pretended to be the lawful heirs of; yea, not only possess their own land, but the land of Ammon too: this was fulfilled not immediately upon the destruction of Ammon, but in part upon the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, when they repossessed their own country; and partly in the times of the Maccabees, when they subdued the Ammonites,
"Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain.'' (1 Maccabees 5:6)
and will more fully in the latter day, when the Jews shall be converted, and return to their own land, and the children of Ammon shall obey them, Isa 11:14; so Kimchi interprets it; and other Jewish writers understand it of the days of the Messiah, as Abarbinel observes.

Gill: Jer 49:3 - -- Howl, O Heshbon,.... Which was a city of Moab, though it formerly belonged to the Amorites; see Jer 48:2; it was upon the border of Ammon, and near to...
Howl, O Heshbon,.... Which was a city of Moab, though it formerly belonged to the Amorites; see Jer 48:2; it was upon the border of Ammon, and near to Ai, now destroyed; and therefore is called upon to howl and lament, because its destruction also was near at hand, and might be expected; hence Kimchi gathers, that the Ammonites were destroyed before the Moabites: but some have thought that Heshbon was a double city, divided by a river, which ran through it; and that that city which was on one side of the river belonged to Moab, and that on the other side to Ammon:
for Ai is spoiled; not that which was near Jericho in the land of Canaan, but a city in the land of Ammon, thought to be the Gaia of Ptolemy; this seems to be the first city in the country of Ammon that Nebuchadnezzar would lay waste:
cry, ye daughters of Rabbah; the royal city before mentioned; See Gill on Jer 49:2; either the inhabitants of it, particularly the women, especially the younger women, who would be in the utmost distress on hearing the enemy was so near them, and what had befallen Ai; or the villages about Rabbah, as Kimchi interprets it; that is, as the Targum,
"the inhabitants of the villages of Rabbah:''
gird ye with sackcloth; as a token of calamity and mourning for it, as was usual:
lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; which Jarchi, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, understand of the enclosures or fences of villages, like those of gardens, fields, and folds, in distinction from walls of cities, and fortified places; but rather it signifies the hedges in the fields, whither, being drove from their habitations, they would seek unto for shelter, and run about among them for safety, lamenting their unhappy case:
for their king shall go into captivity; be taken and carried captive; either their principal governor; or rather Milcom their god, since it follows:
and his priests and his princes together; both such as offered sacrifices to him, and attended on and supported his worship: the same is said of Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, Jer 48:7.

Gill: Jer 49:4 - -- Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys,.... Of which there were many in the country of Ammon, fruitful and well watered, which were situated by the ri...
Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys,.... Of which there were many in the country of Ammon, fruitful and well watered, which were situated by the rivers of Arnon and Jabbok, the borders of this country, and in which was the plain of the vineyards; see Jdg 11:13; and indeed the whole country was a vale. For, as Josephus c says, the country both of the Moabites and Ammonites were in the valley of Syria, or Coelesyria; that is, hollow Syria, so called from its lying low, or in a valley; for this country lay between the mountains Libanus and Antilibanus, as Strabo d says, and brought forth a large increase; in this they gloried, in the produce of these valleys, in the grass, corn, and vines, that grew upon them, and the flocks that fed there; but now should have no occasion to glory, all being swept away by the enemy:
thy flowing valley, or, "thy valley flows" e; is overflowed with water, through abundance of rain, which destroyed the fruits of it, so Jarchi; or rather flowed with the blood of the slain, as Kimchi, Ben Melech, and Abarbinel; the enemy having entered it, and made so great a slaughter of men in it:
O backsliding daughter? the Targum is, O foolish kingdom; the whole kingdom of Ammon is meant, or the people of it; who, descending from righteous Lot, may be called backsliders; and, being also idolaters, have this character; for such revolt from the true God, to worship idols: it may be rendered, "refractory", "rebellious" f; as all such persons are:
that trusteth in her treasures, saying, who shall come unto me? dwelling in valleys encompassed with mountains, and in fortified cities, and abounding in wealth and riches, whereby they were able to procure men and arms to defend themselves; thought they were safe from any enemy, and that none could come nigh them, and so dwelt at ease, and in great security.

Gill: Jer 49:5 - -- Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord God of hosts,.... The terrible army of the Chaldeans, which should strike them with a panic; who...
Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord God of hosts,.... The terrible army of the Chaldeans, which should strike them with a panic; who thought themselves so secure in their fortresses, trusting in their riches:
from all those that be about thee; meaning either from the Chaldeans, and the neighbouring nations, that should join and surround the Ammonites on all sides; or from all the borders of Ammon round about, where they should come; they would be a "magormissabib", "a fear all round", Jer 20:3,
and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; driven out of their houses, and cities, and villages, and steer their course right forward, and never look behind to see what were become of their families and their friends; everyone having enough to do to provide for his own safety:
and none shall gather up him that wandereth; that is straggling about, and knows not which way to take, and whither to flee for safety; all will be so intent on their own safety, that they will not concern themselves for others, to take them under their care; to take those that are on foot upon their horses or carriages, whom they overtake; or into their houses, as they pass by.

Gill: Jer 49:6 - -- And afterwards I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the Lord. Perhaps by Cyrus; for, in the times of Judas Maccabeus, the ...
And afterwards I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the Lord. Perhaps by Cyrus; for, in the times of Judas Maccabeus, the children of Ammon were again a large and mighty people,
"Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain.'' (1 Maccabees 5:6)
Justin Martyr f says, that in his time there was a large multitude of Ammonites; but Origen g, who was later than he, observes, that not only the Idumeans, but the Ammonites and Moabites, were then called by the common name of Arabians; and these are now the present inhabitants of their country; and when these shall be converted in the latter day; see Isa 60:6; who may be called by the name of the ancient inhabitants; then will this be more fully accomplished: for some refer this to the days of the Messiah, and to the conversion of some of these Heathen people, either in the first times of the Gospel, or in the latter day; See Gill on Jer 49:2. The Jews h understand this as fulfilled in Ammonite proselytes to their religion.

Gill: Jer 49:7 - -- Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts,.... Or, "unto Edom" i, thus saith the Lord; or, "against Edom" k; all which is true, as observed on Jer...
Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts,.... Or, "unto Edom" i, thus saith the Lord; or, "against Edom" k; all which is true, as observed on Jer 49:1; meaning the Idumeans, the posterity of Esau, who was called Edom. Kimchi thinks this respects time yet future, and points at the destruction of Rome, and the Romans, who with the Jews frequently go by the name of Edom; and Abarbinel is of the same mind. And Cocceius is of opinion that the Jews are meant, and their destruction, with whom the Idumeans were incorporated before the coming of Christ, and had Herod, an Idumean, king over them; but it is best to understand the prophecy properly and literally of the Idumeans themselves;
is wisdom no more in Teman? a city in Edom, which had its name from Teman, a grandson of Esau, Gen 36:11; whose descendants were called Temanites; one of which was Eliphaz, a friend of Job's, Job 2:11; it was a principal city, famous for men of wisdom; such an one was the person just mentioned: perhaps the grand senate of the country, or the chief counsellors, dwelt here; where schemes were formed for the good of the country in times of war or peace; or schools were kept here for the instruction of persons in various arts and sciences; and which had continued to this time, but now would be no more. The Targum is,
"is there no more wisdom in the south?''
but Jarchi better interprets it of Edom, which lay south to the land of Israel;
is counsel perished from the prudent? it was so, even from those that were the most famous for being prudent and understanding men; they were now at their wits' end, and knew not what course to take, nor what advice to give, in this their time of distress. The Targum renders it "from the children"; the sons of the Temanites, strangely degenerated from their ancestors;
is their wisdom vanished? or corrupted, as the Targum; or does it stink? according to the Rabbinical sense of the word; or infatuated, and become good for nothing? verily it was, it was useless, disregarded and despised.

Gill: Jer 49:8 - -- Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan,.... Another city in Idumea; though some take it to be a country in Arabia, bordering on Edom, ...
Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan,.... Another city in Idumea; though some take it to be a country in Arabia, bordering on Edom, and subdued by the Edomites: the inhabitants of this place are advised to "flee" for their lives, since the enemy was just upon them; and "turn back", lest they should fall into his hands; and hide themselves in some deep caverns of the earth, in holes, and dens of rocks, and such like places. It is a prophecy that they should flee from and turn their backs on their enemies, and betake themselves to some very secret places for safety;
for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him; which was determined concerning him, threatened to him, and was his just desert; even the utter destruction of the whole land:
the time of his visitation; the time fixed to visit him in a way of wrath and punishment being come,

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Jer 49:1 Heb “Does not Israel have any sons? Does not he have any heir [or “heirs” as a collective]? Why [then] has Malcom taken possession o...

NET Notes: Jer 49:2 Heb “says the Lord.” The first person is used to maintain the first person address throughout.


NET Notes: Jer 49:4 Heb “apostate daughter.” This same term is applied to Israel in Jer 31:22 but seems inappropriate here to Ammon because she had never been...



NET Notes: Jer 49:7 The meaning of this last word is based on the definition given in KBL 668 s.v. II סָרַח Nif and HALOT 726 s.v. II ס...

NET Notes: Jer 49:8 Heb “For I will bring the disaster of Esau upon him, the time when I will punish him.” Esau was the progenitor of the tribes and nation of...
Geneva Bible: Jer 49:1 Concerning the ( a ) Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why [then] doth their king ( b ) inherit Gad, and his peopl...

Geneva Bible: Jer 49:2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in ( d ) Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a de...

Geneva Bible: Jer 49:4 Why gloriest thou in the ( e ) valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, [saying], Who shall come to me?
( ...

Geneva Bible: Jer 49:5 Behold, I will bring ( f ) a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that are about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man rig...

Geneva Bible: Jer 49:6 And ( h ) afterward I will bring again the captives of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.
( h ) In the time of Christ, when the Gentiles will be ...

Geneva Bible: Jer 49:7 Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; [Is] wisdom no more in ( i ) Teman? hath counsel perished from the prudent? hath their wisdom vanished?...

Geneva Bible: Jer 49:8 Flee ye, ( k ) turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time [that] I will punish him.
( k ...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Jer 49:1-39
TSK Synopsis: Jer 49:1-39 - --1 The judgment of the Ammonites.6 Their restoration.7 The judgment of Edom;23 of Damascus;28 of Kedar;30 of Hazor;34 and of Elam.39 The restoration of...
MHCC -> Jer 49:1-6; Jer 49:7-22
MHCC: Jer 49:1-6 - --Might often prevails against right among men, yet that might shall be controlled by the Almighty, who judges aright; and those will find themselves mi...

MHCC: Jer 49:7-22 - --The Edomites were old enemies to the Israel of God. But their day is now at hand; it is foretold, not only to warn them, but for the sake of the Israe...
Matthew Henry -> Jer 49:1-6; Jer 49:7-22
Matthew Henry: Jer 49:1-6 - -- The Ammonites were next, both in kindred and neighbourhood, to the Moabites, and therefore are next set to the bar. Their country joined to that of ...

Matthew Henry: Jer 49:7-22 - -- The Edomites come next to receive their doom from God, by the mouth of Jeremiah: they also were old enemies to the Israel of God; but their day will...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Jer 49:1-6; Jer 49:7-22
Keil-Delitzsch: Jer 49:1-6 - --
"Concerning the children of Ammon, thus saith Jahveh: Hath Israel no sons, or hath he no heir? Why doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwel...

Keil-Delitzsch: Jer 49:7-22 - --
Concerning Edom. - To the Edomites, whom Israel were to leave undisturbed in their possession, since they were a kindred nations ( Deu 2:4), Balaam ...
Constable: Jer 46:1--51:64 - --III. Prophecies about the nations chs. 46--51
In Jeremiah, prophecies concerning foreign nations come at the end...

Constable: Jer 49:1-6 - --D. The oracle against Ammon 49:1-6
The Ammonites lived north of the Moabites, north of the Arnon River for most of their history, and east of the trib...
