Jeremiah 49:19
WEB
“Behold, he will come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong habitation; for I will suddenly make them run away from it, and whoever is chosen, I will appoint him over it. For who is like me? Who will appoint me a time? Who is the shepherd who will stand before me?”
BSB
Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Edom from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”
KJV
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Matthew Henry
Hebrew interlinear
H2009
dp — lo!
Derivation: prolongation for 2005;
lo!
KJV: behold, lo, see.
H738
n-m — lion
Derivation: or (prolonged) אַרְיֵה; from 717 (in the sense of violence);
a lion
KJV: (young) lion, pierce (from the margin).
n.m — lion
אֲרִי n.m. lion
n.m — lion
אַרְיֵה n.m. lion
H5927
v — ascend, high, mount
Derivation: a primitive root;
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, × mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
vb — go up
עָלָה 890 vb. go up, ascend, climb
Qal
1. of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations
2. go up, in personal relations
3. of animals, go or come up
4. of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth
5. of natural phenom., go up, rise
6. of inanimate things, instead of passive construction
7. of thoughts
8. come up before God, arrogance
9. go up, extend, of boundary
10. excel
Niph.
1.
a. be brought up
b. be taken up
c.
(1). pass., be taken up, away
(2). reflex., take oneself away from, get up from
2. reflex.: take oneself away
3. be exalted, of God
Hiph.
1. bring up persons
2. in personal relations
3. bring up animals
4. cause to ascend
5. mentally
6. offer a present; bring up tithe to
7. exalt
8. cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice
Hoph.
1. be carried away
2. be taken up into, inserted in
3. be offered
Hithp. lift oneself
H1347
n-m — arrogancy
Derivation: from 1342;
the same as 1346
KJV: arrogancy, excellency(-lent), majesty, pomp, pride, proud, swelling.
n.m — exaltation
גָּאוֹן n.m. exaltation
1. exaltation, majesty, excellence
2. pride (bad sense)
H3383
n-pr — Jarden
Derivation: from 3381; a descender;
Jarden, the principal river of Palestine
KJV: Jordan.
n.pr.fl — Jordan
יַרְדֵן 182 n.pr.fl. Jordan
H413
prep — near, with, among, to
Derivation: (but only used in the shortened constructive form אֶל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e.
near, with or among; often in general, to
KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, × hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in).
prep — motion to
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).
1. of motion to or unto a person or place
2. Where the limit is actually entered, into
3. Of direction towards anything
4. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
5. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
6. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
7. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
8. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
9. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
H5116
n — at home, lovely, home, den
Derivation: or (feminine) נָוָה; from 5115;
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of God (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild animals (den)
KJV: comely, dwelling (place), fold, habitation, pleasant place, sheepcote, stable, tarried.
adj — dwelling
[נָוֶה] adj. dwelling, abiding
n.m — abode of shepherd
נָוֶה n.m. abode of shepherd, or flocks, poet. habitation
1.
a. abode, of sheep
b. abode of shepherds
c. = meadow
2. habitation, usu. of country, or of domains in the country (chiefly poet.)
H386
a — permanence, permanent, chieftain
Derivation: or (shortened) אֵתָן ; from an unused root (meaning to continue);
permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain
KJV: hard, mighty, rough, strength, strong.
adj — perennial
אֵיתָן, אֵתָן adj. perennial, ever-flowing, fig. permanent, as subst, steady flow, permanence
H3588
conj — relative conjunction
Derivation: a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent;
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
KJV: and, (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), but, certainly, doubtless, else, even, except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, (al-) though, till, truly, until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
conj — that
כִּי conj. that, for, when
1. that
2.
a. Of time, when, of the past
b. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
3. Because, since
relative conjunction
כִּי אם־
1. each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
a. that if
b. for if
2. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
a. limiting the prec. clause, except
b. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
c. after an oath, surely
forasmuch as
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
H7280
v — toss, settle, wink
Derivation: a primitive root;
properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e. quiet; specifically, to wink (from the motion of the eye-lids)
KJV: break, divide, find ease, be a moment, (cause, give, make to) rest, make suddenly.
vb — be at rest
רָגַע vb. be at rest, repose
Niph. (of sword) be gathered into thy scabbard, repose, and be still.
Hiph.
a. trans. give rest to
b. intrans. rest, repose
vb — disturb
רָגַע vb. disturb
Qal
Hiph. denom. make a twinkilng
H7323
v — run, rush
Derivation: a primitive root;
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
KJV: break down, divide speedily, footman, guard, bring hastily, (make) run (away, through), post.
vb — run
רוּץ vb. run
Qal
1. run
2.
a. pl. the runners (prop. out-runners)
b. runner = (royal messenger, post, late)
Pō‛lēl they run swiftly, dart
Hiph. cause to run
H5921
prep — above, over, upon, against
Derivation: properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a particle following);
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, × as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, × both and, by (reason of), × had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, × with.
forasmuch as
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
subst — above
עַל, עָ֑ל
I. subst. height
II. As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1. Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
a. —
(a). of clothing, etc., which any one wears
(b). With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
b. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
c. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
d. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
e. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
f. Of the ground or basis, on which a thing is done
2. It expresses excess
3. It denotes elevation or pre-eminence
4. It expresses addition
5. It expresses the idea of being extended, or suspended over anything, without however being in contact with it, above, over
6. From the sense of inclining or impending over, על comes to denote contiguity or proximity, Engl. by (or sts. on)
7. In connection with verbs of motion (actual or fig.)
8. By writers of the silver age, על is sts. used with the force of a dative
9. With other particles:
III. As conj.
a. עַל אֲשֶׁר because that
b. עַל כִּי similar in meaning, but less frequent
c. עַל alone:
(a). because
(b). notwithstanding that, although
IV. Compounds:
1. with כְּ (rare and late)
a. as concerning, as upon
b. the like of their deeds is the like of (that which) he will repay
2. מֵעַל from upon, from over, from by
H4310
i — who?, whoever
Derivation: an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things,
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
KJV: any (man), × he, × him, O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), would to God.
pron.interrog — who?
מִי 423 pron.interrog. who? of persons
a. מִי is rarely used of things, and usually where persons are understood or implied
b. in the gen. whose
c. in an indirect qu.
d. מִי ב׳ who among … ?
e. strengthened and emph. forms of interrog.
f. various rhetorical uses whose
g. מִי may sometimes be rendered whosoever, though, as the examples will shew, it does not really mean it
h. once, following a verb, any one
H977
v — try, select
Derivation: a primitive root;
properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
vb — choose
בָּחַר vb. choose
Qal
1. with בְּ,
a. divine choice
b. man’s choice
2. with אֲשֶׁר:
a. divine choice
b. man’s choice
3. with acc. & לְ, choose some one or something for
4. with acc. and מִן, choose, select from
5. acc.
a. divine choice
b. man’s choice
6. with עַל, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction
7. with לְ of acc. chosen
8. test, try
Niph. to be chosen
Pu. chosen, selected
H6485
v n-m — visit, oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit
Derivation: a primitive root;
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.
KJV: appoint, × at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, × by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, × surely, visit, want.
vb — attend to
פָּקַד 303 vb. attend to, visit, muster, appoint
Qal
A.
1.
a. pay attention to, observe (with care, practical interest)
b. attend to, in act, see to
c. seek (with interest, desire)
d. seek in vain, need, miss, lack
2. specif. visit, c. acc., for different purposes
3. c. עַל pers., visit upon
4. pass in review, muster (nearly = number), c. acc.
B. appoint
Niph.
1. be (sought, i.e. needed) missed, lacking
2. be visited (graciously)
3. be visited upon, עַל pers.
4. be appointed
Pi. (intens.) muster a host
Pu. be passed in review; be caused to miss, deprived
Hithp. be mustered
Hothp. id.
Hiph.
1. c. acc. pers. set (over), make overseer
2. c. acc. rei (implic.)
a. commit, entrust
b. deposit
Hoph.
1. be visited in punishment
2. be deposited
3. be made overseer
n.pl.[m.] abstr — musterings
[פְּקוּדִים] n.pl.[m.] abstr. musterings, i.e. expenses;—cstr. Ex 38:21
H3644
prt — as, thus, so
Derivation: or כָּמוֹ; a form of the prefix k, but used separately [compare 3651];
as, thus, so
KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth.
adv — like
כְּמוֹ adv. and conj. like, as, when (lit. the like of what (viz.) …, a pleon. form of כְּ (v. מוֹ), and, like it, prop. a subst.)
H3259
v — fix, meet, summon, direct, engage
Derivation: a primitive root;
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage)
KJV: agree,(maxke an) appoint(-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time).
vb — appoint
יָעַד vb. appoint
Qal appoint, a time; place; a rod; assign or designate as concubine
Niph.
1. reflexive, meet at an appointed place
2. meet by appointment
3. gather, assemble by appointment
Po‛ēl Pf.
Hiph. Impf. who will make me meet him at the appointed place (of judgment)
Hoph. Pt. be set, placed before
H2088
d — this, that
Derivation: a primitive word;
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
KJV: he, × hence, × here, it(-self), × now, × of him, the one...the other, × than the other, (× out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, × thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097, 2098.
demonstr.pron — this
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
1. standing alone
2. In appos. to subst.
3. More oft. as pred.
4. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
5. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
6. With prefixes (in special senses)
H7462
v — tend, pasture, graze, rule, associate
Derivation: a primitive root;
to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
KJV: × break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.
n.pr.loc — shearing house
בֵּית־עֵ֫קֶד הָרֹעִים perh. n.pr.loc. (binding-house of the shepherds) 2 K 10:12
vb — associate with
[רָעָה] vb. prob. associate with
Qal cherish faithfulness
Hithp. do not make companionship with a bad-tempered man
vb — pasture
רָעָה 167 vb. pasture, tend, graze
Qal
1. trans.
2. intrans.
Niph. poss.
Hiph. v.
H834
r — who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that
Derivation: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
KJV: × after, × alike, as (soon as), because, × every, for, + forasmuch, + from whence, + how(-soever), × if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), × though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where (+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, + whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.
part. of relation — who
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
adv — in which
בַאֲשֶׁר
a. in (that) which
b. adv. in (the place) where
c. conj. in that, inasmuch as
d. on account of whom?
conj — according as
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
1. according to that which, according as, as
2. with a causal force, in so far as, since
3. with a temporal force, when
adv — who
מֵאֲשֶׁר
a. from (or than) that which
b. adv. from (the place) where
c. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H5975
v — stand
Derivation: a primitive root;
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.
take one’s stand
עָמַד 620 take one's stand, stand
Qal 435
1.
a. take one's stand, and (esp. pt.) stand, be in a standing attitude
b. stand forth
c. take a stand against, in opposition to
d. present oneself before
e. attend upon, be(come) servant of
f. stand afar
g. stand (silent)
h. stand (appealingly)
i. stand, subj. רֶגֶל
j. stand, of water
2.
a. stand still, stop, cease moving
b. = be inactive
c. = be attentive
d. stop, cease doing a thing
3.
a. tarry, delay
b. remain
c. continue, abide
d. endure
e. be steadfast
f. persist
4. make a stand, hold one's ground
5. stand upright
6.
a. arise, appear, come on the scene
b. stand forth, appear = come into being
c. rise up as foe
7. rare usages
Hiph. 83
1. station, set
2. cause to stand firm
3. cause to stand up, set up, erect
4. present one before king
5. appoint
6. other meanings
Hoph. be presented
H6440
n-m — face, before
Derivation: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from 6437);
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
KJV: accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, × as (long as), at, battle, because (of), beseech, countenance, edge, employ, endure, enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, × him(-self), honourable, impudent, in, it, look(-eth) (-s), × me, meet, × more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), × on, open, out of, over against, the partial, person, please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, regard, right forth, serve, × shewbread, sight, state, straight, street, × thee, × them(-selves), through ( -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), upon, upside ( down), with(-in, -stand), × ye, × you.
n.m — face
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
I.
1. face, faces
2.
a. presence, person
b. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
3. face of seraphim
4. face of animals
5. face (= surface) of ground
6. as adv.loc. before
7. for other phrases
II. with prepositions
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Verses 7–22
Jeremiah 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 come to be reckoned with, and it is now at hand, and is foretold, not only for warning to them, but for comfort to the Israel of God, whose afflictions were very much aggravated by their triumphs over them and joy in their calamity, Psa 137:7. Many of the expressions used in this prophecy concerning Edom are borrowed from the prophecy of Obadiah, which is concerning Edom; for, all the prophets being inspired by one and the same Spirit, there must needs be a wonderful harmony and agreement in their predictions. Now here it is foretold,
I. That the country of Edom should be all wasted and made desolate, that the calamity of Esau should be brought upon him, the calamity he has deserved, and God has long designed him, for his old sins, Jer 49:8. The time is at hand when God will visit him, and call him to an account, and then they shall flee from the sword, turn back from the battle, and dwell deep in some close caverns, where they shall hide themselves. All they have shall be carried off by the conqueror; whereas grape-gatherers will leave some gleanings, and even thieves know when they have enough and will destroy no further, those that destroy them shall never be satiated, (Jer 49:9, Jer 49:10); they shall make Esau quite bare, shall strip the Edomites of all they have, shall find out ways and means to come at their most hidden treasure, shall discover even the secret places where they thought to secure their wealth, and rifle them, so that they shall none of them save their wealth, no, nor save themselves nor their children, that might be concealed in a little room: He shall not be able to hide himself, and his seed too is spoiled. His brethren the Moabites, and his neighbours the Philistines, whom he might have expected succours from, or at least shelter with, are spoiled as well as he and disabled to do him any service. And he is not, or there is not he, there is none to him, none left him, that may say what follows (Jer 49:11), Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive. When they are flying, or dying, there shall be none left, no relation, no friend, no, not so much as any parish officers to take care of their wives and children that they leave behind. Edom is not, he is cut off and gone; nor is there any to say, Leave me thy orphans. If the master of a family be cut off, or forced away, it is some comfort if he have a friend to leave his family with, whom he can confide in; but they shall have none such, for they shall all be involved in the same calamity. The Chaldee makes these to be the words of God to his people, distinguishing them from the Edomites in this calamity; and they read it, "But you, O house of Israel! you shall not leave your orphans; I will secure them, and let your widows rest on my word. Whatever becomes of the widows and fatherless of the Edomites, I will take care of yours." Note, it is an unspeakable comfort to the people of God, when they are dying, that they may leave their surviving relations with God, may, in faith, commit them to him and encourage them to trust in him; and, though they cannot promise themselves great things in the world for them, yet they may hope that he will preserve them alive, always, provided that they trust in him. Let the Edomites, for their part, count upon no other than to be made a desolation and a reproach; for the decree has gone forth; God hath sworn it by himself (Jer 49:13), that their cities shall be wasted, nay, they shall be perpetual wastes, they shall be made mean and despicable; they had made a mighty figure, but God will make them small among the heathen; and those that despised God's people shall themselves be despised among men (Jer 49:15, Oba 1:2), nay, they shall be made monstrous, and even a prodigy (Jer 49:17): Edom shall be such a desolation that every one who goes by shall be astonished; nay, worse yet, they shall be made a terror; Edom shall be made like Sodom and Gomorrah, none shall care for coming near the ruins of it, no man shall abide there (Jer 49:18), such a frightful place shall it be made.
II. That the instruments of this destruction should be very resolute and formidable. They have their commission from God; he summons them into this service (Jer 49:14): I have heard a rumour, or report, from the Lord, heard it by the prophecy of Obadiah, heard it by a whisper to myself, that an ambassador, or herald, or messenger, is sent to the Gentiles, who are to lay Edom waste, saying, Gather you together, muster all the forces you can, and come against her; for (Jer 49:20) this is the counsel that he hath taken against Edom. The matter is settled, the decree has gone forth, and there is no resisting it. God has determined that Edom shall be laid waste, and then he that is to be employed in wasting it shall come swiftly and strongly. Nebuchadnezzar is he or whom it is here foretold, 1. That he shall come up like a lion, with fierceness and fury, like a lion enraged by the swelling of Jordan overflowing his banks, which forces him out of his covert by the water-side into the higher grounds, Jer 49:19. He shall come roaring, come to devour all that come in his way. He shall come against the habitation of the strong, the forts and castles; and I will cause him to come suddenly into the land (so the next words might well be read), so as to find them unprovided with necessaries for a defence; for I will look out a chosen man to appoint over her, to do this execution, a man fit for the purpose, one chosen out of the people; for when God has work to do he will find out the fittest instruments to be employed in doing it: "Who is like me for choosing the instruments, and spiriting them for the work? And who will appoint me the time? Who will challenge me, and fix a time and place to meet me? Who will join issue with me in battle? And, when I send a lion into the flock, who is that shepherd that can, or dare, stand before me, or against me, to oppose that lion, and think to rescue any of the flock?" Note, When God has work to do of any kind he will soon find those that are able to engage in it, and all the world cannot find those that are able to engage against it. Nay, if God will have Edom destroyed, and their peopled dislodged, there needs not a lion, a fierce lion to do it: Even the least of the flock shall draw them out (Jer 49:20); the meanest servant in Nebuchadnezzar's retinue, the weakest of all that follow his camp, shall draw them out for the slaughter, shall force them to flee, or to surrender, and make their habitations desolate with them. God can bring to pass the greatest works by instruments least likely. When the Chaldean army comes against the Edomites all hands shall be employed and the poorest soldier in it shall have a pluck at them. 2. Nebuchadnezzar shall come, not only like a lion, the king of beasts, but like an eagle, the king of birds (Jer 49:22): He shall fly as the eagle upon his prey, so swiftly, so strongly, shall clap his wings upon Bozrah, to secure it for himself (as before, Jer 48:40), and immediately the hearts of the mighty men shall fail them, for they shall see he is an enemy that it is in vain to struggle with.
III. That the Edomites' confidences should all fail them in the day of their distress. 1. They trusted to their wisdom, but that shall stand them in no stead. This is the first thing fastened upon in this prophecy against Edom, Jer 49:7. That nation used to be famous for wisdom, and their statesmen were thought to excel in politics; and yet now they shall take such wrong measures in all their counsels, and be so baffled in all their designs, that people shall ask, with wonder, What is the matter with the Edomites? Is wisdom no more in Teman? Have the wise men of the east country (Kg1 4:30) become fools? Are those at their wits' end that were thought to have the monopoly of prudence? Has counsel perished from the understanding men? It is so, when God is designing the ruin of a people; for whom he will destroy he infatuates. See Job 12:20. Has their wisdom vanished? Is it tired? (so some); is it worn out? (so others); has it become useless? so others. Yes, it will do them no service when God comes forth to contend with them. 2. They trusted to their strength, but neither shall that avail them, Jer 49:16. They had been a terror to all their neighbours; every body feared them and truckled to them, and this made them proud and conceited of themselves and their own strength, and very secure; because no neighbouring nation durst meddle with them, they thought no nation in the world durst. Their country was much of it mountainous, having many passes which they thought themselves able to make good against any invader; but this terribleness of theirs deceived them, and so did their imaginary inaccessibleness; they did not prove so strong as they were formidable, nor so safe as they were secure. High as they are, God will bring them down; for, as there is no wisdom, so there is no might against the Lord, See these expressions, Oba 1:3, Oba 1:4, Oba 1:8.
IV. That their destruction should be inevitable and very remarkable. 1. God hath determined it (Jer 49:12); he hath said it; nay (Jer 49:13), he hath sworn it, that the Edomites shall not go unpunished, but that they shall drink the cup of trembling, which is put into the hands of all their neighbours; even those whose judgment, or doom, was not to drink of the cup, who had not so well deserved it as they had done, nations that had not been such enemies to Israel as they had been, or Israel itself, that was God's peculiar people, and among whom there were many, very many, who kept his ordinances, upon which account they might have expected an exemption; and yet they had been made to drink of the bitter cup; and shall the Edomites think to pass it? No; they shall surely drink of it. Note, When God punishes the less guilty it is folly for the more guilty to promise themselves impunity; and when judgment begins at God's house it will reach the strangers. 2. All the world shall take notice of it (Jer 49:21): The earth is moved, and all the nations are put into a concern, at the noise of their fall; the news of it shall make them tremble. The noise of the outcry is heard to the Red Sea, which flowed upon the coasts of Edom. So loud shall be the shouts of the conquerors and the shrieks of the conquered, and such a mighty noise shall the news of this destruction of Idumea make in the nations, that is shall be heard among the ships that lie in the Red Sea to take in lading (Kg1 9:26), and then they shall carry the news of it to the remotest shore. Note, The fall of those who have affected to make a noise with their pomp and power will make so much the greater noise.
Cross-references: Ps 137:7 · Jer 49:8 · Jer 49:9 · Jer 49:10 · Jer 49:11 · Jer 49:13 · Jer 49:15 · Obad 1:2 · Jer 49:17 · Jer 49:18 · Jer 49:14 · Jer 49:20 · Jer 49:19 · Jer 49:22 · Jer 48:40 · Jer 49:7 · 1Kgs 4:30 · Job 12:20 · Jer 49:16 · Obad 1:3 · Obad 1:4 · Obad 1:8 · Jer 49:12 · Jer 49:21 · 1Kgs 9:26