Jeremiah 49 31

Jeremiah 49:31 kjv

Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.

Jeremiah 49:31 nkjv

"Arise, go up to the wealthy nation that dwells securely," says the LORD, "Which has neither gates nor bars, Dwelling alone.

Jeremiah 49:31 niv

"Arise and attack a nation at ease, which lives in confidence," declares the LORD, "a nation that has neither gates nor bars; its people live far from danger.

Jeremiah 49:31 esv

"Rise up, advance against a nation at ease, that dwells securely, declares the LORD, that has no gates or bars, that dwells alone.

Jeremiah 49:31 nlt

"Go up and attack that complacent nation,"
says the LORD.
"Its people live alone in the desert
without walls or gates.

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 31 meaning

Jeremiah 49:31 pronounces divine judgment against a nation characterized by its self-perceived security and isolation. It describes a people living in a state of tranquil ease and confidence, yet critically lacking the fundamental defenses of fortified cities like gates and bars, and further, without allies or proximity to aid them. This state of comfort, rather than protecting them, makes them a prime target for God's impending wrath, which is declared with absolute divine authority. The verse highlights that true security is not found in complacent self-assurance or physical isolation, but ultimately rests in the Lord.

Jeremiah 49 31 Context

Jeremiah 49:31 is part of a larger section (Jeremiah 46-51) containing oracles against foreign nations. Specifically, this verse is embedded within the prophecy concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor (Jer 49:28-33), which likely refers to nomadic or semi-nomadic Arabian tribes rather than the ancient fortified city of Hazor destroyed by Joshua. This "Hazor" in Jeremiah's time was likely a cluster of unfortified desert settlements or camps in the desert region east of Palestine. The description of a nation "at ease," "dwelling securely," "having no gates or bars," and "dwelling alone" perfectly fits the image of a relatively remote, isolated desert people who might feel immune to larger geopolitical conflicts.Historically, Jeremiah delivered these prophecies during a period of intense geopolitical flux, primarily driven by the rising Babylonian empire. By declaring God's judgment over surrounding nations, Jeremiah not only asserted Yahweh's universal sovereignty over all peoples, including Israel's enemies, but also implicitly offered a framework for understanding God's actions and His just nature to Judah, which itself was facing divine judgment and exile. It underscores that God’s justice is not limited to Israel but extends to all who defy Him or live in proud complacency.

Jeremiah 49 31 Word analysis

• Arise (קוּמוּ - qumu): This is a plural imperative verb, a direct command. It signifies an urgent call to action, often implying a military campaign or an act of rising up. Here, it is God commanding the instrument of judgment (likely Babylon or other invaders) to attack Hazor, highlighting the divine initiative behind the coming destruction.
• Go up against (עֲלוּ - alu): Also a plural imperative, this verb often refers to a physical ascent, whether going up a mountain, to Jerusalem (which was elevated), or metaphorically, to attack or engage in battle. It further emphasizes the call to action, specifically directing a military assault.
• A nation (גּוֹי - goy): A generic Hebrew term for a people, tribe, or nation, particularly non-Israelite nations. While general, in this context it refers specifically to the target of the oracle, Hazor, portraying it as just one of many nations under God's dominion.
• At ease (שָׁלֵו - shalev): This adjective describes a state of tranquility, security, or complacency. It indicates an undisturbed and untroubled existence, often implying a lack of vigilance or awareness of impending danger. This perceived "ease" is central to their downfall.
• That dwells securely (יוֹשֵׁב לָבֶטַח - yoshev labetach): This phrase intensifies "at ease." Yoshev means "to sit" or "to dwell," and labetach means "in security," "confidently," or "without fear." It describes a deep-seated trust in their own safety, a feeling of invincibility, or even outright arrogance born from their apparent lack of external threats. This security is self-derived and, therefore, false.
• Declares the LORD (נְאֻם יְהוָה - ne'um YHVH): A quintessential prophetic formula used to punctuate or introduce a divine utterance, confirming that the message originates directly from Yahweh, the God of Israel. It authenticates the prophecy and imbues it with supreme authority and certainty.
• That has no gates or bars (אֲשֶׁר לֹא דְלָתַיִם וּבְרִיחַ לֹוֹ - asher lo deletayim u'veriyach lo): This literal description points to an utter lack of basic urban fortifications. Delatayim are double doors/gates, and beriyach refers to a bar or bolt used to secure a gate. Their absence suggests a people living in open or lightly constructed settlements, a characteristic consistent with nomadic or semi-nomadic tribes. This physical vulnerability underscores their deluded sense of "dwelling securely."
• That dwells alone (לְבַדּוֹ יִשְׁכּוֹן - levado yishkon): This phrase emphasizes their isolation. Levaddo means "alone" or "by himself," and yishkon means "he dwells." It could imply geographic remoteness, social isolation, or a lack of political alliances. This aloneness, which might contribute to their feeling of undisturbed peace, paradoxically becomes a source of extreme vulnerability, as there are no allies to come to their aid.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Arise, go up against": This strong imperative pair functions as a divine military directive, showcasing God's sovereign command over earthly events and His ability to raise up instruments for His judgment. It indicates that the impending destruction is not merely a random event, but a targeted, purposeful act decreed by the Lord.
• "A nation at ease, that dwells securely": This repeated emphasis on security and ease highlights the primary sin leading to judgment: spiritual complacency and a false sense of invulnerability. Their self-assured confidence in their safety becomes the very condition that sets them up for a devastating fall, directly contrasting God's warnings to remain vigilant.
• "Declares the LORD": Positioned after the description of the target, this formula affirms that the characterization of Hazor and the subsequent judgment are not human observations or threats, but direct pronouncements from the omniscient and authoritative God, whose word cannot fail.
• "That has no gates or bars, that dwells alone": These two descriptions compound to illustrate an extreme level of defenselessness. Their lack of physical fortifications combined with their social/political isolation creates a situation of complete exposure. This phrase underscores the bitter irony: the very factors that contributed to their perceived peace ("at ease," "securely," "alone") make them an easy target when divine judgment comes, as they have no internal or external means of resistance.

Jeremiah 49 31 Bonus section

The prophecy against Hazor and other foreign nations (Jer 46-51) functioned not only as a declaration of God's universal sovereignty but also had practical implications for Judah. By showing that even their distant, seemingly unassailable neighbors faced God's judgment, Jeremiah aimed to comfort the exiles and those suffering in Judah, assuring them that their enemies would not escape divine retribution indefinitely. It also served as a prophetic warning that while Israel received covenant blessings and curses, God’s moral law extended to all peoples. The theme of security, peace, and dwelling without defenses appears elsewhere in prophecy concerning divine judgment, notably in Ezekiel 38:11, where Gog is described as attacking a "people at rest, who dwell safely, all of them without walls, and having neither bars nor gates." This recurring imagery highlights a divine pattern of judgment against those who place their trust in fleeting circumstances rather than in the Lord. This divine perspective counters any nationalist theology that would confine God's interest or power solely to Israel, proving Him to be the God of all creation and history.

Jeremiah 49 31 Commentary

Jeremiah 49:31 serves as a stark warning against the peril of complacent security and isolation from both external threats and the divine. The nation of Hazor, perhaps a nomadic group of Arabs, trusted in its geographic remoteness and lack of urban entanglements, believing itself immune to conflict and thereby adopting an attitude of "ease" and self-assurance. Yet, God sees this complacency as a dangerous hubris. Their absence of gates and bars is not just a descriptive detail but symbolizes a deeper, spiritual unpreparedness. Their perceived independence, or "dwelling alone," signifies a lack of allies, making them utterly vulnerable when confronted by divine judgment, executed through God's chosen instruments (like Babylon). The verse underscores that true security comes not from one's own perceived strength, isolation, or the absence of threats, but from a right relationship with the sovereign Lord, who controls the destinies of all nations. The prophet here shatters the illusion that any nation or individual can live outside the purview of God's righteous judgment simply by retreating into their own comfort zone. It's a universal principle: human complacency, especially when combined with a disregard for potential spiritual or physical dangers, invites destruction.