Jeremiah 49 13

Jeremiah 49:13 kjv

For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.

Jeremiah 49:13 nkjv

For I have sworn by Myself," says the LORD, "that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse. And all its cities shall be perpetual wastes."

Jeremiah 49:13 niv

I swear by myself," declares the LORD, "that Bozrah will become a ruin and a curse, an object of horror and reproach; and all its towns will be in ruins forever."

Jeremiah 49:13 esv

For I have sworn by myself, declares the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a horror, a taunt, a waste, and a curse, and all her cities shall be perpetual wastes."

Jeremiah 49:13 nlt

For I have sworn by my own name," says the LORD, "that Bozrah will become an object of horror and a heap of ruins; it will be mocked and cursed. All its towns and villages will be desolate forever."

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 13 meaning

Jeremiah 49:13 declares the Lord's solemn, irrevocable oath concerning the utter and permanent destruction of Bozrah, the capital of Edom, and all its associated cities. God himself pledges that these places will become an absolute desolation, an object of reproach, a complete ruin, and a perpetual curse. The verse underscores the certainty and severity of divine judgment against Edom for its pride and hostility towards Israel.

Jeremiah 49 13 Context

Jeremiah chapter 49 is part of a larger section (chapters 46-51) known as "Oracles against the Nations," where Yahweh pronounces judgment on surrounding nations for their pride, idolatry, and hostile actions against Judah or other peoples. Specifically, verses 7-22 address Edom, a descendant of Esau, brother of Jacob. Edom was known for its mountainous terrain, formidable fortresses carved into rock (like Petra, though Bozrah is the focus), and a strong sense of security due to its geographical advantage and supposed wisdom. Despite being related to Israel, Edom had a long history of animosity, famously delighting in Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon (Psa 137:7, Obadiah 1:10-14). Jeremiah 49:13 encapsulates God's absolute response to Edom's arrogance and maliciousness, directly confronting their self-assured pride with an undeniable divine decree of total and perpetual ruin, showing that no earthly strength or perceived security can withstand the Lord's determined judgment.

Jeremiah 49 13 Word analysis

• For by Myself (כִּֽי־בִ֤י, ki-vi): Literally, "For by Me" or "For in Me." This phrase signals the gravitas of the oath. When God swears by Himself, it indicates that there is no greater authority by which He could swear, making the oath absolutely unbreakable and certain (Heb 6:13). This directly challenges any Edomite reliance on their god Qos or other deities, demonstrating Yahweh's supreme authority.
• I have sworn (נִשְׁבַּ֙עְתִּי֙, nishba'ti): From the verb שָׁבַע (shāvaʿ), meaning "to swear, make an oath." It denotes a formal, binding declaration made under an appeal to a higher power (or, in God's case, His own Being). Its use here signifies divine solemnity and the irrevocable nature of the coming judgment.
• declares the LORD (נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה, nəʾum-YHWH): This is a prophetic formula, emphasizing that the preceding words are a direct, authoritative utterance from Yahweh, the covenant God. It reinforces the divine origin and unquestionable truth of the prophecy.
• that Bozrah (כִּֽי־בָצְרָ֤ה, ki-Votsrah): Bozrah was a major and ancient city in Edom, serving as its capital. It was strategically located and possibly a significant trade hub. The targeting of the capital symbolizes the judgment against the entire nation and its leadership.
• will become an object of horror (לְשַׁמָּ֤ה תִהְיֶה֙, ləshammāh tihyeh): Shammāh (שַׁמָּה) means "desolation, horror, waste." It describes a place utterly destroyed and devoid of inhabitants, evoking fear and dread in observers (cf. Jer 19:8).
• a disgrace (לְחֶרְפָּה֙, ləkherpāh): Ḥer·pāh (חֶרְפָּה) means "reproach, shame, insult." The once proud city will become an object of scorn and contempt, signifying complete loss of honor and dignity, especially for Edomites who prided themselves on their wisdom and strength.
• a ruin (לְחֹ֥רֶב, ləḥorev): Ḥōrev (חֹרֶב) means "desolation, devastation, dry place." It indicates physical destruction, the transformation of thriving cities into heaps of rubble.
• and a curse (וְלִקְלָלָ֖ה, wəliqlālāh): Qəlālāh (קְלָלָה) means "curse, malediction." It means divine condemnation resulting in misfortune and ruin, indicating that the judgment is a result of God's active displeasure and that the area will remain cursed and uninhabitable.
• and all its cities (וְכָל־עָרֶ֖יהָ, wəḵol-‘areha): Expands the scope of the judgment beyond Bozrah to encompass every single Edomite urban center. This emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the divine decree; no part of Edom will escape.
• will be perpetual ruins (תִּֽהְיֶ֥ינָה חָרְבּֽוֹת־עוֹלָֽם׃, tihyeynāh ḥārbôt ‘ôlām): ‘Ôlām (עוֹלָם) means "forever, perpetual, everlasting." This term signifies the irreversible and enduring nature of the destruction. It's not a temporary setback but an eternal state of desolation, contrasting with Edom's prideful belief in its impregnable fortresses and lasting prosperity.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "For by Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD": This opening phrase functions as an immediate authentication and solemn declaration of an irreversible divine oath. It emphasizes God's supreme authority, faithfulness to His word, and the absolute certainty that this judgment will come to pass. The repetition of His authority and the act of swearing underscores that this is a matter of His divine character and will.
• "that Bozrah will become an object of horror, a disgrace, a ruin, and a curse": This series of four cumulative terms describes the comprehensive and multi-faceted nature of Bozrah's downfall. From an "object of horror" that instills dread, to a "disgrace" losing all honor, to a physical "ruin," and finally to being divinely "cursed," the terms paint a picture of total eradication—physical, social, and spiritual. This directly counters Edom's pride and security.
• "and all its cities will be perpetual ruins": This concluding phrase expands the judgment from the capital, Bozrah, to every city in Edom and, critically, attaches a temporal modifier "perpetual." This highlights the extensive scope and the enduring, eternal nature of the desolation, contrasting starkly with any worldly hopes of recovery or resurgence. The judgment is final.

Jeremiah 49 13 Bonus section

• The irrevocability of God's oath highlights the difference between human promises and divine decrees. Human oaths can be broken, but God, by swearing by His own unchangeable nature, seals the fate of Edom, demonstrating divine immutability (Mal 3:6; Heb 6:18).
• The judgment on Edom stands as a type for God's eventual judgment on all those who oppose His people and His purposes. Historically, Edom represents a spiritual foe, persistent in its enmity, thus its fate serves as a strong eschatological warning.
• This passage demonstrates the concept of lex talionis (law of retaliation) where Edom's proud boasting and joy over Judah's downfall are met with shame and perpetual desolation. Their wish for Israel's curse effectively returns upon themselves.

Jeremiah 49 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 49:13 is a powerful testament to the sovereignty and unwavering justice of Yahweh. His oath "by Myself" is the highest possible guarantee, assuring the complete and irreversible destruction of Edom, starting with its proud capital, Bozrah. Edom, having long harbored enmity towards Israel and rejoiced in Judah's calamities, epitomized human pride and reliance on earthly strength (cf. their fortified cities and perceived wisdom, Jer 49:16). God's judgment here is a direct refutation of that self-sufficiency. The cumulative descriptors of ruin—horror, disgrace, ruin, and curse—underscore the absolute, comprehensive nature of this divine verdict, which leaves no aspect of Edomite existence untainted. Moreover, the pronouncement that "all its cities will be perpetual ruins" ensures that the judgment is not limited or temporary but final and lasting. This verse serves as a universal warning that no nation or individual can stand against the will of the Almighty, especially when their pride and actions defy His justice and harm His people. The divine oath here illustrates God's unyielding commitment to justice and His ultimate control over the destiny of nations.