Jeremiah 49 27

Jeremiah 49:27 kjv

And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.

Jeremiah 49:27 nkjv

"I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad."

Jeremiah 49:27 niv

"I will set fire to the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad."

Jeremiah 49:27 esv

And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad."

Jeremiah 49:27 nlt

"And I will set fire to the walls of Damascus
that will burn up the palaces of Ben-hadad."

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 27 meaning

Jeremiah 49:27 declares a divinely decreed judgment against Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria). God states, "I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad." This signifies a complete and devastating military conquest, not by human power alone but by God's sovereign hand, leading to the destruction of the city's primary defenses and its royal governmental centers. The reference to "Ben-hadad" likely points to the ruling dynasty or royal title of Damascus, symbolizing the entire political and military power structure of Aram being overthrown.

Jeremiah 49 27 Context

Jeremiah 49:23-27 forms a distinct oracle concerning Damascus, situated within a larger section of Jeremiah's prophecies against foreign nations (Jeremiah 46-51). This placement underscores God's sovereignty not only over Israel but over all peoples and empires. Historically, Aram (Damascus) was a formidable rival to Israel and Judah for centuries, frequently engaging in conflict and sometimes forming alliances against common enemies. The "Ben-hadad" dynasty of Aramean kings represented a significant regional power. While Jeremiah prophesied during the Neo-Babylonian ascendancy, the specific historical fulfillment against Damascus most notably occurred earlier by the Neo-Assyrians under Tiglath-Pileser III (c. 732 BCE, as recorded in 2 Kings 16:9), who dismantled the Aramean kingdom. The oracle emphasizes that even a strong, established power like Damascus cannot escape divine judgment when its iniquity and opposition to God's people have reached a peak. It is part of God demonstrating His control over the course of world history.

Jeremiah 49 27 Word analysis

• And I will kindle (וְהִצַּתִּי - v'hiṣṣatī): The verb is Hiphil perfect 1st person common singular, signifying direct, causative action by God Himself. "Kindle" implies a deliberate initiation of destruction, not merely a natural event. It emphasizes God's active involvement and supreme agency in bringing judgment.
• a fire (אֵשׁ - ʾēsh): A potent biblical symbol for divine judgment, wrath, consuming power, purification, and destruction. It implies swift and total devastation. The fire here is both literal (military conflagration) and metaphorical (God's fierce anger).
• in the wall (בְּחוֹמַת - b'ḥômat): The preposition "in" (בְּ - bə) can mean "on" or "into," indicating that the destruction targets the city's primary defense structure. Walls were critical for the survival of ancient cities, representing their strength, security, and resistance. To attack the wall is to attack the very heart of the city's ability to defend itself.
• of Damascus (דַּמֶּשֶׂק - Dammeśeq): The capital city of Aram, a historical and strategic center known for its wealth, influence, and long-standing opposition to Israel. Its destruction underscores God's authority over nations.
• and it shall devour (וְאָכְלָה - v'ʾākhlāh): The verb "devour" (אָכַל - ʾākhal) frequently used with fire, signifies complete consumption and irreversible destruction. The grammatical form shows the fire as the active agent.
• the palaces (אַרְמְנוֹת - ʾarmᵉnōt): Refers to the royal residences, citadels, and administrative centers. Their destruction symbolizes the complete overthrow of the ruling authority, wealth, and power structure. It targets the very seat of Aramean sovereignty.
• of Ben-hadad (בֶּן־הֲדַד - Ben-haddad): This is a dynastic name or title, meaning "son of Hadad" (Hadad being a prominent Aramean storm and fertility god). It refers collectively to the ruling lineage or the king of Damascus, rather than a specific individual at the time of the prophecy's writing. It is a subtle polemic: the "son of Hadad" is utterly unable to protect his own domain from the God of Israel.

Jeremiah 49 27 Bonus section

The destruction of "Ben-hadad's" palaces carries particular theological weight as a polemic against pagan deities. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a king's well-being and his kingdom's prosperity were often linked to the favor of his national god. For Yahweh to declare the destruction of the palaces of "Ben-hadad" (son of the god Hadad) directly challenges the efficacy and power of Hadad and the entire Aramean pantheon. It asserts Yahweh's absolute superiority over all other gods, demonstrating that He, and not Hadad, is the true ultimate authority in human affairs and history. This serves as a reminder to Israel and surrounding nations alike of the singular power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jeremiah 49 27 Commentary

Jeremiah 49:27 is a powerful declaration of God's judicial oversight even for nations outside His direct covenant. The imagery of "kindling a fire in the wall" is not just about a breach, but a divinely initiated and consuming destruction that compromises the city's fundamental security. The "fire" represents the inexorable judgment of God, carried out by agents He orchestrates (often invading armies, such as Assyria or Babylon). The targets—"the wall of Damascus" and "the palaces of Ben-hadad"—signify a comprehensive downfall, affecting both military defenses and the seat of political, economic, and dynastic power. It highlights the principle that no human power, no matter how fortified or prestigious, can ultimately withstand the sovereign will of God. The mention of "Ben-hadad" serves as a subtle yet potent theological critique: the titular king, a supposed "son" of a pagan deity, is utterly powerless to protect his kingdom against the God of Israel. This verse powerfully reaffirms Yahweh's unparalleled authority as the only true sovereign of heaven and earth.