Jeremiah 49 28

Jeremiah 49:28 kjv

Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.

Jeremiah 49:28 nkjv

Against Kedar and against the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon shall strike. Thus says the LORD: "Arise, go up to Kedar, And devastate the men of the East!

Jeremiah 49:28 niv

Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked: This is what the LORD says: "Arise, and attack Kedar and destroy the people of the East.

Jeremiah 49:28 esv

Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck down. Thus says the LORD: "Rise up, advance against Kedar! Destroy the people of the east!

Jeremiah 49:28 nlt

This message was given concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which were attacked by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This is what the LORD says: "Advance against Kedar!
Destroy the warriors from the East!

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 28 meaning

Jeremiah 49:28 declares a divine judgment specifically targeted at Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, two groups representing the nomadic and semi-nomadic Arabian peoples located to Israel's east. The verse identifies Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as the instrument God used or would use to execute this judgment. It presents a stark command from the LORD to "Arise, go up to Kedar! Destroy the people of the east!", signifying a call for complete devastation upon these regions and peoples, highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and His capacity to employ even pagan rulers to fulfill His prophetic word and purposes.

Jeremiah 49 28 Context

Jeremiah 49:28 is part of a larger section in the book of Jeremiah (chapters 46-51) containing oracles and prophecies against various foreign nations. These pronouncements demonstrate that God's authority and judgment extend beyond Judah to all peoples, highlighting His universal sovereignty. Specifically, Jeremiah 49 focuses on Judah's immediate neighbors and more distant peoples, including Ammon, Edom, Damascus, and now Kedar and Hazor (verses 28-33). Historically, this period was dominated by the rising Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II, who was used by God as His instrument to punish many nations, including Judah. The prophecy against Kedar and Hazor places these desert communities within the broader context of God's plan, subject to the same divine reckoning applied to other more settled kingdoms of the ancient Near East, solidifying the message that no nation could escape His justice.

Jeremiah 49 28 Word analysis

• Concerning (עַל, 'al): This preposition establishes the subject of the prophetic utterance, signaling a declaration specifically "regarding" or "about" the named entities.
• Kedar (קֵדָר, Qedar): Refers to a prominent confederation of nomadic Arabian tribes descended from Ishmael (Gen 25:13). They were known for their extensive flocks and dwelling in tents, often symbolizing the wealth and lifestyle of desert dwellers. Their inclusion signifies God's judgment reaching the far-flung desert peoples.
• and concerning (וְעַל, v'al): A connective conjunction that extends the focus of the prophecy to an additional, associated target.
• the kingdoms of Hazor (מַמְלְכוֹת חָצוֹר, mamləkhoot Hatsor): "Kingdoms" suggests multiple independent, yet associated, polities or settled regions rather than a singular great city. This Hazor is widely understood to be an Arabian locale or tribal entity, distinct from the famous ancient Canaanite city. Its pairing with Kedar underscores the targeting of Arabian desert regions and settlements.
• which (אֲשֶׁר, asher): This relative pronoun links the previous subjects (Kedar and Hazor) to the action described.
• Nebuchadnezzar (נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר, Nəḇūḵaḏre’aṣṣar) king of Babylon: Explicitly names the historical king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, active during Jeremiah's time. He is repeatedly depicted in Scripture as God's instrument for judgment against disobedient nations, including Judah (Jer 25:9).
• smote (הִכָּה, hikkah): Meaning "struck," "defeated," or "attacked." The Hebrew verb is in the perfect tense. This "prophetic perfect" can imply either a past action by Nebuchadnezzar that set the stage, or more likely, a future action so certain in God's eyes that it is spoken of as already accomplished, emphasizing the inevitability of the prophecy.
• Thus says the LORD (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, Koh amar YHWH): This is a hallmark prophetic formula, asserting the divine authority and origin of the subsequent message. It underlines that these are not merely human predictions but God's sovereign decrees.
• Arise (קוּמוּ, qumu): An imperative verb, in the plural. It functions as a powerful command or summons to action, often military. Here, it likely refers to Nebuchadnezzar's forces, being exhorted by God.
• go up (עֲלוּ, alu): Also an imperative, plural. Coupled with "Arise," it commands active progression or ascent, frequently used for marching into battle or advancing upon a region.
• to Kedar (קֵדָר, Qedar): Reinforces Kedar as the primary direct target for the commanded invasion and destruction.
• Destroy (חָרָבוּ, ḥārevu): An imperative verb meaning "lay waste," "devastate," or "make desolate." This command signifies utter and comprehensive destruction, reflecting the severity of God's judgment.
• the people of the east (בְּנֵי קֶדֶם, bənei Qedem): Literally "sons of the east." This is a general collective term for nomadic tribes and peoples inhabiting the desert regions to the east of Israel, encompassing groups like Midianites, Amalekites, and others, of which Kedar was a significant part. This broadens the scope of the judgment beyond just Kedar to a wider segment of Arabian inhabitants.

Word-group analysis

• "Concerning Kedar and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor...": This phrase acts as a precise introduction, immediately identifying the specific, though geographically expansive, targets of God's prophetic judgment, emphasizing a shared fate.
• "which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon smote": This declarative clause pinpoints the human instrument of the divine judgment, making it tangible and historically contextual. The "smote" in the past tense strongly suggests the decree's unchangeable certainty or references a pre-emptive action by Babylon as part of their broader campaigns into Arabia.
• "Thus says the LORD: Arise, go up to Kedar! Destroy the people of the east!": This marked shift by the authoritative prophetic formula delivers direct, urgent divine commands. The sequence of "Arise, go up" followed by "Destroy" illustrates the progression from preparation to decisive action. The transition from specific "Kedar" to the broader "people of the east" conveys the expansive, encompassing nature of the impending devastation on these desert communities.

Jeremiah 49 28 Bonus section

• The "people of the east" (Bnei Qedem) were historically associated with wisdom, with Job himself being described as "the greatest of all the people of the east" (Job 1:3) and Solomon's wisdom exceeding theirs (1 Ki 4:30). This connection potentially amplifies the judgment by showing even peoples admired for their intellect or ancient lineage are subject to God's reckoning.
• Kedar's inhabitants, as nomadic tent-dwellers, often felt secure in their mobility and perceived inaccessibility, believing they could evade conventional military assaults by simply moving on. This prophecy stands as a potent polemic against such self-reliance, demonstrating that even desert isolation provides no escape from God's divinely orchestrated judgment executed by powerful empires.
• The placement of this oracle within Jeremiah's broader prophecies against foreign nations (chapters 46-51) highlights a core biblical theme: God is not merely the God of Israel but the Lord of all nations, directing the course of history and holding all peoples accountable to His righteous standards.

Jeremiah 49 28 Commentary

Jeremiah 49:28 is a forceful declaration of divine judgment against Kedar and Hazor, distinct Arabian entities. This oracle serves as a testament to God's universal sovereignty, affirming that no nation, regardless of its remote location or nomadic lifestyle, is beyond the reach of His judgment. The verse identifies Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful Babylonian king, not merely as a conquering ruler but as a predetermined tool in God's hand. The statement that Nebuchadnezzar "smote" these groups, possibly as a prophetic perfect, underlines the absolute certainty of God's word, foretelling or acknowledging a destruction as good as done in the divine plan. The subsequent imperatives from the LORD—"Arise, go up... Destroy"—underscore the comprehensive nature and inevitability of the desolation intended for these proud peoples who believed in their self-sufficiency in the desert. It is a profound reminder that all earthly powers and nations are accountable to the Most High.