Jeremiah 49 20

Jeremiah 49:20 kjv

Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.

Jeremiah 49:20 nkjv

Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD that He has taken against Edom, And His purposes that He has proposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; Surely He shall make their dwelling places desolate with them.

Jeremiah 49:20 niv

Therefore, hear what the LORD has planned against Edom, what he has purposed against those who live in Teman: The young of the flock will be dragged away; their pasture will be appalled at their fate.

Jeremiah 49:20 esv

Therefore hear the plan that the LORD has made against Edom and the purposes that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman: Even the little ones of the flock shall be dragged away. Surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate.

Jeremiah 49:20 nlt

Listen to the LORD's plans against Edom
and the people of Teman.
Even the little children will be dragged off like sheep,
and their homes will be destroyed.

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 20 meaning

Jeremiah 49:20 declares God's deliberate and sovereign plan of judgment against Edom, specifically targeting its wise city of Teman. The verse proclaims that the Lord has meticulously devised a strategy to bring about Edom's utter desolation, and no human counsel or fortification can thwart it. It foretells that seemingly insignificant or weak forces, metaphorically described as "the least of the flock," will nevertheless overwhelm and forcefully displace the Edomites, turning their established dwellings into an empty waste. This signifies the certainty and unexpected nature of divine wrath upon those who rely on their own strength and proudly oppose God's people.

Jeremiah 49 20 Context

Jeremiah 49:20 is situated within Jeremiah's series of "Oracles against the Nations" (Jeremiah 46-51), a common prophetic literary feature where God's judgment is pronounced against surrounding Gentile nations who oppressed Israel or were marked by sin and pride. Chapter 49 specifically details divine judgment against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam. The immediate context of verses 7-22 is the oracle concerning Edom, Israel's ancient sibling nation descended from Esau. Edom was characterized by pride, relying on its impregnable fortresses in the clefts of the rock (like Petra) and its renowned wisdom (especially Teman), believing itself immune to attack. This pride led to repeated hostility towards Israel, notably participating in Jerusalem's downfall (Ps 137:7; Obad 1:10-14). God's message through Jeremiah here counters Edom's false security, emphasizing that their perceived strength and wisdom are futile against the Lord's decreed judgment. Historically, this prophecy would have been understood in light of the impending (or actual) invasion of the region by Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, which served as God's instrument.

Jeremiah 49 20 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵ֞ן - lakhēn): A strong logical connective. It signals a consequence, linking the impending judgment to the preceding declarations of Edom's pride and the futility of their wisdom (Jer 49:16-19). It emphasizes the inevitability of what follows as a direct result of their actions and divine decree.

• hear (שִׁמְע֤וּ - shim'u): An imperative verb, "listen!" or "pay attention!" It is a direct summons, demanding that not just the prophet, but potentially also Edom (if they were listening to the prophecies about themselves) and more importantly, God's people, grasp the gravity and certainty of God's word. It is a call not just to register sound, but to internalize and understand.

• the plan (עֵצָה - ‘etsah): Refers to counsel, advice, or a strategic plan. In this context, it is God's deliberate, well-thought-out, and unchangeable counsel. It stands in stark contrast to the human, often self-reliant, plans of Edom mentioned in the earlier verses (e.g., Jer 49:7-8). This "plan" highlights God's sovereignty over events and nations.

• that the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His authority, eternality, and commitment to His purposes. It underlines that this "plan" originates from the ultimate divine source, not human whim or earthly power.

• has formed (יָעַץ - ya‘ats): The verb means "to counsel," "to plot," "to purpose." It implies active deliberation and specific intent. This is not a rash decision but a sovereign, considered resolution on God's part. It reinforces the premeditated and determined nature of the judgment.

• against Edom (אֶל־אֱד֖וֹם - ‘el-’Edōm): Specifies the target of God's wrath. Edom was the historical rival and descendant of Esau, characterized by its animosity towards Israel and its great pride and self-sufficiency.

• and the purposes (וּמַחֲשָׁבוֹת - umaḥăšāvôt): Thoughts, designs, or calculations. This noun reinforces the concept of "plan" (‘etsah), showing the breadth and depth of God's deliberate intentions. The repetition emphasizes God's total commitment to His word.

• that he has purposed (אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָשַׁב - ’ašer ḥāšav): "He has thought" or "he has devised." This verb echoes the previous noun "purposes," again emphasizing God's careful and intentional planning. It denotes God as the active agent, fully in control of the design and execution.

• against the inhabitants of Teman (עַל־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י תֵימָ֑ן - ‘al-yoshvē Teman): Teman was a significant city in Edom, especially renowned for its wise men (Jer 49:7; Job 2:11; Obad 1:9). Singling it out underscores the irony that even the supposed wisdom of Edom will be helpless against God's plan. Its inhabitants represent the proud, intellectual elite and fortified heart of Edom.

• Surely (אִם־לֹ֞א - im-lo’): A strong emphatic expression, often rendered as "surely," "verily," or "indeed." In Hebrew, this construction with im (if) followed by lo’ (not) is an idiomatic oath meaning "If it does not happen, may [implied] dire consequences follow." Here it affirms the absolute certainty of the prophecy.

• the least of the flock (צְעִירֵ֥י הַצֹּ֖אן - tse'irei ha-tson): This is a heavily debated phrase. It literally means "the youngest/smallest of the flock." Possible interpretations include:

  • The literal weakest/smallest members of the flock: Implying even the most insignificant elements of the invasion force will overcome Edom.
  • The shepherds/shepherd boys who lead the flock: Those normally viewed as weak or common will be the agents of destruction.
  • Metaphor for the very lowest or weakest of humanity, despised or least expected forces: Such as the initially perceived small army of Babylon that grew to overwhelm great nations, or another even more obscure invading group God would raise up.
  • The Edomites themselves, driven out like scattered, weak sheep: While possible, "drag them away" points more to the active party being external.The most common interpretation among scholars is that it refers to an unexpectedly weak or contemptible instrument of divine judgment, which nonetheless will utterly vanquish proud Edom.

• shall drag them away (יִסְחָב֖וּם - yisḥāvum): This verb means "to pull," "to drag," "to draw off." It suggests a forceful, humiliating, and utterly complete removal or displacement. Like cattle being led off to slaughter or plunder being carted away. It speaks to a lack of dignity in their defeat.

• surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them (אִם־לֹ֞א יַשִּׁ֣ים עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם נְוֵיהֶ֑ם - im-lo’ yashīm ‘aleihèm nevehèym): "Surely he will set desolation upon them, their dwelling-places." This reaffirms the certainty (im-lo’) of destruction. "Make desolate" (yashīm) signifies complete emptiness and ruin. "Habitation" (nevehèm) refers to their homes, pastures, or permanent dwelling places. The phrase "with them" implies that their destruction will be inextricably linked to the desolation of their land; either they are removed, leaving their homes desolate, or the desolation consumes both them and their homes together.

• "Therefore hear the plan... against Edom": This phrase group signifies that Edom's impending judgment is not random, but the execution of a pre-determined, divine blueprint directly from the sovereign Lord, initiated by their long-standing antagonism.

• "and the purposes that he has purposed against the inhabitants of Teman": The deliberate repetition and focus on Teman highlight the profound irony. Edom's strength and strategic counsel, especially embodied by Teman's wise men, are useless against God's own perfect counsel and plan, revealing the futility of human wisdom against divine will.

• "Surely the least of the flock shall drag them away; surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.": This contrasts the proud, secure Edomites with an unexpectedly weak or contemptible enemy. The forceful "drag them away" and the declaration of absolute "desolation" underscore the humiliating, thorough, and inevitable nature of God's judgment, reducing Edom from a formidable nation to empty ruins and scattered remnants, fulfilling earlier prophecies.

Jeremiah 49 20 Bonus section

The motif of God raising up seemingly "lesser" or unlikely agents to execute His judgment or accomplish His will is a recurring theme in Scripture. For instance, Assyria and Babylon, though mighty, were ultimately "rods" in God's hand against His own people or other nations (Isa 10:5). Similarly, the use of "the least of the flock" to overwhelm the militarily sophisticated and strategically located Edomites highlights a theological truth: divine power is often manifested through weakness to shame human strength (1 Cor 1:27). The very ones Edom might despise or overlook will be their downfall. This prophecy ultimately found its initial fulfillment with the Babylonian invasions (as with much of the Near East), and later continued decline, leading to Edom's eventual disappearance from history, testifying to the long-term fulfillment of God's declarations. The prominence of Teman in this judgment emphasizes that Edom's celebrated human wisdom could not discern or avert God's divine counsel, making their downfall a direct rebuke to their self-reliance and intellectual arrogance.

Jeremiah 49 20 Commentary

Jeremiah 49:20 is a powerful testament to God's unyielding sovereignty and righteous judgment, particularly against national pride and hostility. It underscores that all human fortifications, perceived wisdom, and military strength are utterly insignificant when confronted by the divine decree. Edom, especially its intellectual heartland Teman, boasted of its strategic defenses and sagacity, yet God's "plan" (‘etsah) and "purposes" (maḥăšāvôt) are meticulously formed and will undeniably stand. The use of "the least of the flock" as the instrument of judgment is profoundly ironic and serves to magnify God's power—He doesn't need mighty armies to bring down the proud; even the most contemptible or unexpected forces suffice. This humbling reversal signifies Edom's complete undoing, not merely as a conquest, but a violent, undignified removal from their homeland and its ultimate desolation. The verse warns all nations against relying on their own resources and neglecting the supreme authority of the Lord. For believers, it's a reminder of God's ultimate control, His justice for those who defy Him and persecute His people, and the certainty that His word will always be fulfilled, often through unexpected means.