Jeremiah 49 21

Jeremiah 49:21 kjv

The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.

Jeremiah 49:21 nkjv

The earth shakes at the noise of their fall; At the cry its noise is heard at the Red Sea.

Jeremiah 49:21 niv

At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble; their cry will resound to the Red Sea.

Jeremiah 49:21 esv

At the sound of their fall the earth shall tremble; the sound of their cry shall be heard at the Red Sea.

Jeremiah 49:21 nlt

The earth will shake with the noise of Edom's fall,
and its cry of despair will be heard all the way to the Red Sea.

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 21 meaning

The fall of Edom, specifically orchestrated by the Lord, will be an event of such immense magnitude and terror that the sound of its collapse and the cry of its distress will reverberate far and wide, reaching even the most distant lands as if to the very edges of the sea. The universal astonishment and dread at this divine judgment will cause the earth itself to tremble, signifying a momentous and profound upheaval for all who hear the devastating report.

Jeremiah 49 21 Context

Jeremiah 49 is one of several oracles (chapters 46-51) against foreign nations, demonstrating the Lord's sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel. Within chapter 49, verses 7-22 specifically address Edom, a nation descended from Esau, Jacob's twin brother. Historically, Edom was situated in the mountainous region south of Judah, known for its strategic fortresses carved into rock, like Sela (Petra). Their long-standing hostility, pride, and gloating over Judah's misfortune (e.g., during the Babylonian invasion) provoked divine wrath. The prophecy declares Edom's utter desolation despite its perceived invincibility and wisdom (Jer 49:7-10). Verse 21 climaxes this pronouncement of judgment, emphasizing the colossal scale and terrifying impact of Edom's downfall as a globally significant event.

Jeremiah 49 21 Word analysis

• Voice (ק֥וֹל / qôl): Refers to a sound, cry, or roar. Here, it likely denotes both the cry of distress from the vanquished Edom and the "voice" of the news of its destruction. Its echoing nature emphasizes the far-reaching impact.
• of a report (שְׁמוּעָה֙ / šəmûʿāh): Signifies news, tidings, or an announced message. Coupled with "qôl," it intensifies the idea of widespread communication; this isn't a secret event but public knowledge.
• is heard (נִשְׁמָע֙ / nišmāʿ): The Niphal stem of "to hear" (šāmaʿ) indicates a passive reception. The report will be heard, it cannot be ignored, ensuring its universal reception.
• at the Sea (עַל־ס֖וּף / ʿal-sûp): The term "sûp" here means "sea" in a general sense, not necessarily the Red Sea ("Yam Suph" is different). The preposition "ʿal" suggests "to" or "upon." This phrase denotes the most distant coastlines, metaphorically conveying that the news of Edom's fall will reach the far corners of the known world, beyond Edom's landlocked borders. It symbolizes the breadth of the impact.
• from its shout/roar (מִזַּעֲקָת֑וֹ / miz-zaʿăqātô): "Zaʿaqah" denotes a cry of anguish, a wail, or a roaring sound. This could refer to the battle cry of Edom's destroyers or, more likely, the cry of terror and agony emanating from Edom itself as it undergoes destruction.
• The earth (אָ֣רֶץ / ʾāreṣ): While it can mean "land" (e.g., Edom's land), in this context of widespread reporting to the "sea," it conveys the sense of the entire world or at least the whole populated region, reacting to the judgment.
• is shaken (רָעֲשָׁה֙ / rāʿăšāh): From "raʿash," meaning to tremble, quake, or be disturbed. This describes a profound physical or metaphorical tremor. It illustrates the sheer awe, fear, and universal impact of Edom's sudden and complete destruction, indicating a truly cataclysmic event.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• The voice of a report is heard: This pairing emphasizes the loudness and clarity of the message, suggesting it's not a whisper or a mere rumor, but a clear, resounding declaration of what has happened, demanding attention.
• at the Sea from its shout/roar: This phrase combines geographical extremity with an intense auditory experience. "At the Sea" signifies reaching the utmost bounds of the inhabited world. "From its shout" connects this distant news directly to the horrific sounds of destruction originating from Edom, making the judgment felt from afar.
• The earth is shaken at the sound of its fall/at its cry: This climactic statement conveys cosmic sympathy or a universal sense of dread. The earth's trembling symbolizes the profound disturbance and alarm caused by God's powerful act of judgment, affecting everything that stands upon it. It indicates a significant historical or world-altering event.

Jeremiah 49 21 Bonus section

The "shaken earth" motif often extends beyond literal geological events to represent a seismic shift in geopolitical power or spiritual realities. In this verse, it's not merely a physical quake but a profound trembling of the established order, a recognition that a once-mighty nation has utterly fallen due to divine intervention. This universal reaction underscores the gravity of violating God's justice and provides a profound counterpoint to Edom's self-assured pride mentioned earlier in the chapter. It serves as an object lesson against any nation or individual placing trust in anything other than the Almighty.

Jeremiah 49 21 Commentary

Jeremiah 49:21 stands as a powerful testament to the sovereign and decisive nature of God's judgment. The vivid imagery employed – a widely propagated "report," a far-reaching "shout," and a "shaken earth" – cumulatively underscore the extraordinary impact of Edom's destruction. This was not a localized skirmish but a divine intervention whose significance resonated across all lands. Edom's collapse, a proud nation that relied on its fortified strongholds and earthly wisdom, would serve as a universal object lesson, demonstrating that no nation, however seemingly secure or powerful, could withstand the Lord's ultimate decree. It communicates that God's judgments are absolute, visible to all, and evoke universal recognition of His power.