Jeremiah 49:14 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Jeremiah 49:14 kjv
I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
Jeremiah 49:14 nkjv
I have heard a message from the LORD, And an ambassador has been sent to the nations: "Gather together, come against her, And rise up to battle!
Jeremiah 49:14 niv
I have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy was sent to the nations to say, "Assemble yourselves to attack it! Rise up for battle!"
Jeremiah 49:14 esv
I have heard a message from the LORD, and an envoy has been sent among the nations: "Gather yourselves together and come against her, and rise up for battle!
Jeremiah 49:14 nlt
I have heard a message from the LORD
that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say,
"Form a coalition against Edom,
and prepare for battle!"
Jeremiah 49 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Obad 1:1 | "The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom..." | Divine judgment against Edom |
| Isa 34:5-6 | "For My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens... to judge Edom..." | God's judgment extending to Edom |
| Ezek 25:12-14 | "Thus says the Lord GOD: 'Because Edom acted revengefully...'" | God's vengeance on Edom for hostility |
| Jer 49:7-8 | "Concerning Edom... Is wisdom no more in Teman...?" | God's initial pronouncement against Edom and its wisdom |
| Jer 49:15-16 | "For behold, I will make you small among the nations... Your awe..." | Edom's abasement and the root of its pride |
| Ps 137:7 | "Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom The day of Jerusalem..." | Edom's role in the fall of Jerusalem, fueling animosity |
| Amos 1:11 | "Thus says the LORD: 'For three transgressions of Edom...'" | Edom's unforgiven hostility toward its brother |
| Nahum 3:1 | "Woe to the bloody city! All full of lies and plunder..." | Judgment on cities characterized by violence/deception |
| Joel 3:9-10 | "Proclaim this among the nations: 'Prepare for war!'" | God calling nations to battle for divine judgment |
| Zeph 3:8 | "Therefore wait for Me, says the LORD, until the day I rise..." | God's global judgment over all nations |
| Isa 13:2-4 | "Lift up a banner on the barren height... I have commanded My consecrated ones" | God calling forth armies for His purpose |
| Jer 51:27-28 | "Lift up a standard in the land... Prepare nations against her..." | Similar call to nations against Babylon |
| Dan 4:17, 32 | "...that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind..." | God's ultimate sovereignty over kingdoms |
| Prov 21:30 | "There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD." | Futility of human plans against God's decree |
| Acts 2:23 | "...delivered up according to the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God" | God's foreordained plan enacted through human agents |
| Rev 17:16-17 | "And the ten horns... these will hate the harlot... God has put it into their hearts" | God instigating actions through nations for His purpose |
| John 19:11 | "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given..." | All authority, even human, is from God |
| Ps 2:4-5 | "He who sits in the heavens laughs... Then He will speak to them..." | God's derision and judgment on rebellious nations |
| Isa 45:7 | "I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity..." | God's ultimate control over all events |
| Rom 9:17-18 | "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh... He has mercy on whom He wills..." | God's sovereign choice in judging and having mercy |
| Jude 1:7 | "Just as Sodom and Gomorrah... undergone the penalty of eternal fire" | Warning of similar divine judgment for wickedness |
| Heb 12:29 | "For our God is a consuming fire." | God's character as a holy judge |
Jeremiah 49 verses
Jeremiah 49 14 meaning
Jeremiah 49:14 declares that the prophet has received a divine message from the LORD, commissioning an envoy to incite surrounding nations against Edom. This message is a direct call for these nations to gather, advance, and prepare for war against Edom, signaling God's predetermined judgment and impending destruction upon the proud nation. It highlights God's sovereignty over history and nations, using them as instruments of His will.
Jeremiah 49 14 Context
Jeremiah 49:14 is part of a larger section in Jeremiah known as the "Oracles Against the Nations" (chapters 46-51). Specifically, it falls within the prophecy directed at Edom (Jeremiah 49:7-22), an ancient kingdom southeast of Judah, descended from Esau. This prophecy addresses Edom's arrogance, its supposed impenetrable strongholds, and its perceived wisdom. The historical background includes Edom's long-standing animosity towards Israel, notably their participation or rejoicing in Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon, as recounted in Psalm 137 and Obadiah. The divine message here underscores that despite Edom's confidence in its natural defenses and national intelligence, God's decree of judgment will stand, executed by other nations who act, knowingly or unknowingly, as His instruments. The immediate context of Jeremiah 49 describes God dispossessing Edom, making its wise men distraught, and its people flee.
Jeremiah 49 14 Word analysis
- I have heard (שָׁמַעְתִּי, shamaʿti): The Hebrew verb emphasizes an active, auditory reception of a divine revelation. This indicates prophetic authority—Jeremiah is conveying a direct communication from the LORD, not human speculation. It highlights the authenticity and source of the message.
- a message (שְׁמוּעָה, shəmuʿah): While it can mean a report or rumor, when explicitly "from the LORD," it signifies an authoritative, weighty, and often revelatory utterance. It implies information delivered with significant consequence, particularly for the target nation.
- from the LORD (מֵאֵת יְהוָה, meʾet YHWH): Specifies the source as Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This immediately imbues the message with ultimate authority, certainty, and divine purpose, rather than a mere human announcement.
- an envoy (צִיר, tsiyr): Refers to a messenger or ambassador, implying a formal, official, and authoritative representative. In this context, it signifies a divinely dispatched messenger to execute God's decree.
- has been sent (שֻׁלַּח, shullaḥ): This is a Pual passive form, "was sent," emphasizing that the sending is an action completed by an external agent, in this case, God. The envoy acts upon God's explicit command.
- among the nations (בַּגּוֹיִם, baggoyim): "Nations" or "Gentiles." This signifies the message is broadcast to pagan nations surrounding Edom, not just within Israel, underscoring God's universal dominion. These nations are to become instruments of His judgment.
- to say (לֵאמֹר, lemor): Introduces the direct speech of the envoy, conveying the LORD's exact words and command to the nations.
- 'Assemble yourselves' (הִקָּבְצוּ, hiqqavtsu): A Niphal imperative, a direct command to gather. This often signifies a call to a formal assembly or to muster for military action. It highlights the deliberate and organized nature of the impending attack.
- 'and come against her' (וּבֹאוּ עָלֶיהָ, uvōʾu ʿaleihā): A clear command for hostile action, literally "come upon her" or "attack her." "Her" (עָלֶיהָ, ʿaleihā) refers definitively to Edom. This is not a general gathering, but a specific advance against a target.
- 'rise up for battle!' (קוּמוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה, qūmu lamilḥāmāh): Another strong imperative, urging swift preparation and engagement in war. It depicts God actively mobilizing human armies to achieve His divine decree against Edom.
Words-Group analysis:
- "I have heard a message from the LORD": This opening phrase establishes the prophetic legitimacy and the divine origin of the subsequent message. It underlines the weight and infallibility of the pronouncement as God's very word.
- "an envoy has been sent among the nations": This illustrates God's active involvement in orchestrating international events. He is not merely observing but is proactively commissioning a messenger to influence the decisions of foreign powers to fulfill His will, particularly in judging Edom.
- "to say, 'Assemble yourselves and come against her; rise up for battle!'": This is the direct command of the LORD, through His envoy. It presents a divine mandate for war, framing the impending military action against Edom not as random conflict but as a specific act of God's sovereign judgment, executed by chosen, albeit unaware, agents.
Jeremiah 49 14 Bonus section
The specific identity of the "envoy" is not named, allowing it to remain symbolic of divine influence over geopolitical events. This messenger could be a literal angelic being, a prophetic figure known to the nations, or more likely, the providential hand of God subtly instigating the hearts and minds of kings and peoples towards a particular military campaign. Historically, Babylon often fulfilled such a role for God in punishing nations (as seen in its role against Judah, and potentially against Edom later). The use of multiple nations against Edom suggests a comprehensive and inescapable destruction, dismantling any remaining pride or hope for a purely local skirmish. The phrase "among the nations" implies a widespread understanding or even an internal urge within various kingdoms to align against Edom, indicating God's orchestrating power far beyond direct human communication.
Jeremiah 49 14 Commentary
Jeremiah 49:14 is a profound statement on divine sovereignty, particularly God's role in the rise and fall of nations. It's a divine pronouncement against Edom, whose historical pride, geographical security, and inherent antagonism towards Israel warranted God's judgment. The "envoy" represents God's unseen hand in human affairs, directing nations—who may believe they act on their own volition—to fulfill His predetermined purposes. This message isn't a mere prediction; it's an active decree from the Almighty, transforming human military maneuvers into instruments of divine justice. Edom's arrogance and reliance on its mountain strongholds are rendered futile by a God who can muster armies from any quarter. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that no nation is outside the scope of God's moral governance, and those who proudly defy Him will ultimately face the consequences orchestrated by His perfect wisdom. It emphasizes that God controls the tides of history and geopolitical alignments, even to execute judgment.