Jeremiah 49 34

Jeremiah 49:34 kjv

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,

Jeremiah 49:34 nkjv

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,

Jeremiah 49:34 niv

This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah:

Jeremiah 49:34 esv

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah.

Jeremiah 49:34 nlt

This message concerning Elam came to the prophet Jeremiah from the LORD at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah.

Jeremiah 49 34 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Jeremiah 49:35Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.Jeremiah 49:35 (Fulfilled in the downfall of Persian power)
Isaiah 22:6Elam bore the quiver with chariots and horsemen.Isaiah 22:6 (Elam known for military might)
Ezekiel 28:7therefore, I will bring strangers upon you, the most ruthless of the nations.Ezekiel 28:7 (Judgment on arrogant nations)
Genesis 10:22The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram.Genesis 10:22 (Elam's lineage)
Jeremiah 25:25and all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,Jeremiah 25:25 (Elam listed among nations judged by God)
Jeremiah 51:11Make the arrows sharp, with quenched swords!Jeremiah 51:11 (Parallel judgment on Babylon, reflecting similar divine action)
Jeremiah 51:57I will make drunk her princes and her wise men, her officials, her commanders, and her warriors; they shall fall into a perpetual sleep and not wake, declares the LORD, the King.Jeremiah 51:57 (Judgment on princes and warriors)
Psalm 10:4But in his pride the wicked does not inquire; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”Psalm 10:4 (Pride leading to denial of God)
Psalm 37:2For they will soon be cut down like the grass and wither like the green herb.Psalm 37:2 (The transient nature of the wicked)
Proverbs 16:18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.Proverbs 16:18 (Consequence of pride)
Isaiah 10:15Shall the axe boast itself against him who hews with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it?Isaiah 10:15 (The folly of boasting against the divine instrument)
Romans 11:20by grace you stand.Romans 11:20 (Spiritual standing through grace)
1 Corinthians 1:31"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."1 Corinthians 1:31 (Boasting in the Lord)
Matthew 24:7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.Matthew 24:7 (Kingdoms against kingdoms)
Luke 1:52He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts,Luke 1:52 (Scattering the proud)
Jeremiah 49:39But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam," says the LORD.Jeremiah 49:39 (Promise of future restoration)
Acts 2:9Parthians and Medes and Elamites...Acts 2:9 (Elamites present at Pentecost)
Zechariah 9:13I will bend Judah as I bend my bow, and fill it with Ephraim. And I will brandish your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like the sword of a warrior.Zechariah 9:13 (Nations used as instruments of God's war)
Daniel 2:21he changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;Daniel 2:21 (God's control over earthly kingdoms)
Psalm 75:7but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.Psalm 75:7 (God's role as judge)

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 34 Meaning

This verse prophesies the judgment of God upon Elam, a region in ancient Persia, signifying its utter destruction and the dispersion of its people. It declares the end of Elam's pride in power and its weaponry, with its king and princes being cut off. This pronouncement underscores God's sovereignty over nations and His judgment on those who rely on their own strength rather than Him.

Jeremiah 49 34 Context

Jeremiah 49 contains a series of prophetic judgments against various nations surrounding Israel, including Ammon, Moab, Edom, Damascus, and Kedar. This specific prophecy against Elam (Jeremiah 49:34-39) follows judgments on other nations and is part of a broader theme in Jeremiah where God pronounces His verdict on the surrounding Gentile kingdoms due to their pride, violence, and opposition to His people and His purposes. Elam, an ancient and powerful kingdom in Persia, known for its military prowess and archery, is singled out for destruction. This judgment is presented as an act of divine retribution for their sins, particularly their arrogance and reliance on their own strength. The chapter's placement within the book of Jeremiah situates Elam's judgment within the larger context of God's dealings with the nations in preparation for and during the Babylonian exile.

Jeremiah 49 34 Word Analysis

  • The word of the LORD (דְּבַר־יְהוָה - dvar-Adonai): This phrase unequivocally attributes the following prophecy to God Himself. It establishes the divine authority and origin of the message.
  • came (הָיָה - hayah): Indicates that the word of the LORD "came" or "happened," signifying the occurrence of this divine communication to the prophet.
  • to Jeremiah (אֶל־יִרְמְיָה - el-Yirmeyah): Identifies the recipient of this prophetic word.
  • in the beginning (בְּרֵאשִׁית - berezit): While often translated as "in the beginning," in this context it signifies "at the outset" or "in the first days" of a particular phase of judgment or prophecy related to Elam.
  • of the reign (מַלְכוּת - malkut): Refers to the period of rule.
  • of Zedekiah (צִדְקִיָּהוּ - Tzidqiyyahu): Names the king of Judah during whose reign this prophecy was delivered. Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile, a period marked by significant prophetic activity and impending doom for Jerusalem.
  • king of Judah (מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה - melekh-Yehudah): Identifies Zedekiah by his position and kingdom.
  • saying (לֵאמֹר - le’mor): Introduces the direct message from God.
  • Elam (עֵילָם - Eilam): The specific nation being addressed. Elam was a significant kingdom east of Babylon, known historically for its military strength, particularly its archers.
  • Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): A particle used to draw attention, signifying that what follows is important and deserves notice.
  • I bring (הִנְנִי־בָא - hinneni-va): "Behold, I am bringing." The prefix "hinneh" combined with "ni" (me) emphasizes the immediate and personal action of God in bringing judgment.
  • disaster (רָעָה - ra’ah): Evil, calamity, or misfortune. Here, it refers to a great catastrophe or destructive event.
  • from afar (מִקָּצֶה — miqqatsah): Indicates the source of the disaster is distant. In prophecy, this often refers to a nation far away that God will use as His instrument of judgment. Given Elam's geographical location relative to Judah, and subsequent historical events, this could refer to a foreign invader from a distant land.
  • and (וְ — ve): Connects the two clauses.
  • I bring (וְהַעֲלֵיתִי — veha’aliti): "And I will cause to come up" or "and I will bring upon."
  • my (לִי — li): Possessive pronoun indicating the origin or intent.
  • anger (אֶת־חֲמָתִי — et-hammati): God's wrath or indignation, signifying divine displeasure and punitive action.
  • upon it (עָלֶיהָ — alayha): Refers back to Elam.

Words Group Analysis:The phrase "I bring disaster from afar, and I bring my anger upon it" emphasizes God's direct agency in causing calamity to fall upon Elam. The "afar" suggests an instrument of judgment, and the "my anger" clarifies the divine motivation behind this action. This contrasts with nations who might simply suffer a natural disaster; here, it is a targeted divine retribution.

Jeremiah 49 34 Bonus Section

While Elam faced divine judgment and dispersion as prophesied, Jeremiah 49:39 also contains a promise of future restoration for Elam. This dual aspect of judgment and eventual restoration is a recurring theme in Jeremiah, often reflecting God's ultimate plan to gather His people and restore His kingdom. The presence of Elamites at Pentecost (Acts 2:9), hearing the gospel in their own tongue, suggests a point where they, as a dispersed people, could partake in God's redemptive work. The ancient linguistic evidence and archaeological findings often speak to the historical significance and influence of Elam in the ancient Near East, providing context for the power that God would break.

Jeremiah 49 34 Commentary

This verse serves as a prelude to the specific judgment on Elam. It frames the pronouncement not as a human decree but as a direct communication from the LORD to Jeremiah during Zedekiah's reign. The mention of "disaster from afar" and God bringing His "anger" highlights that Elam's downfall will be a deliberate act of divine judgment, orchestrated by God using instruments possibly from distant lands. This foretells the severe dismantling of Elam's power, its military pride broken, and its people scattered, fulfilling God's righteous wrath against their transgressions. The verse's placement under Zedekiah underscores that the impending doom for foreign nations was concurrent with the prophesied doom for Judah, signifying a time of widespread divine intervention and judgment.