Jeremiah 49 35

Jeremiah 49:35 kjv

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

Jeremiah 49:35 nkjv

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, The foremost of their might.

Jeremiah 49:35 niv

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "See, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.

Jeremiah 49:35 esv

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might.

Jeremiah 49:35 nlt

This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: "I will destroy the archers of Elam ?
the best of their forces.

Jeremiah 49 35 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Jeremiah 49And I will bring upon Elam the calamity which I have determined against them.Jer 49:12 (Thematic Parallel)
Isaiah 11The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him...Isa 11:2 (Messianic Hope)
Psalm 2Why do the nations rage... but the LORD has set his King on Zion.Ps 2:1-2 (Divine Sovereignty)
Jeremiah 51Babylon is fallen, is fallen...Jer 51:7-8 (Judgment on Nations)
RevelationFor her sins have piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.Rev 18:5 (Divine Judgment)
Isaiah 21The burden against Dumah.Isa 21:11 (Prophecy against Nations)
Jeremiah 1The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah...Jer 1:2 (Prophet's Commission)
Jeremiah 14Let your cisterns overflow... to preserve their lives.Jer 14:17 (Sorrow and Destruction)
Jeremiah 15O LORD, you know... Strike them down, O LORD!Jer 15:15 (Prophet's Plea)
Jeremiah 23I have heard what the prophets have said...Jer 23:22 (False Prophets)
Jeremiah 43Take with you large stones and bury them in the bricks...Jer 43:9 (Symbolic Actions)
Jeremiah 48As you did to Israel... so shall Moab be done to you.Jer 48:7 (Reciprocity of Judgment)
Ezekiel 25Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Son of man...Ezek 25:12 (Judgment on Edom)
Ezekiel 28Thus says the Lord GOD...Ezek 28:12 (Pride and Fall)
Daniel 2The God of heaven will set up a kingdom...Dan 2:44 (Kingdom of God)
Amos 1The words of Amos...Amos 1:3 (Judgment on Syria)
Zephaniah 2Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth...Zeph 2:3 (Call to Repentance)
Matthew 24Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.Matt 24:7 (Signs of the End)
Luke 21There will be signs in the sun...Luke 21:25 (End Times)
Acts 10God shows no partiality.Acts 10:34 (God's Impartiality)
Romans 11But if some of the branches were broken off...Rom 11:17-24 (Grafting In)
Galatians 3For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.Gal 3:27 (Unity in Christ)

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 35 Meaning

This verse prophesies the destruction of Elam, a kingdom located east of the Tigris River, portraying it as a broken or scattered vessel. It signifies the complete overthrow and devastation of this nation, leaving its inhabitants without refuge or hope.

Jeremiah 49 35 Context

Jeremiah 49 addresses prophecies against several surrounding nations, including Damascus, Kedar and Hazor, and then Elam. Elam was a significant ancient kingdom located east of Babylon, known for its military strength and arrows. Historically, Elam had a complex relationship with various empires in the ancient Near East, often allied with or opposed to Babylon and Persia. This prophecy comes in the context of the looming Babylonian exile and serves to reassure Israel that God is sovereign over all nations and will bring judgment upon those who oppress His people.

Jeremiah 49 35 Word Analysis

  • וְהֵבֵאתִי (v'hevéti) - "And I will bring". This is the Hiphil (causative) imperfect third person masculine singular of the verb "bow", meaning to bring or cause to come. It indicates God's active and deliberate intervention in bringing judgment.
  • עַל־אֵילָ֑ם (al-éilam) - "upon Elam". Elam is the proper noun for the ancient kingdom. The preposition "al" signifies "upon" or "against," indicating the target of the divine action.
  • אֶת־רָעָתָ֔ם (et-ra'atám) - "their calamity". "Ra'ah" means evil, disaster, or calamity. "Their" refers back to Elam and its people, signifying the collective suffering that will be inflicted upon them.
  • אֲשֶׁר֙ (ashér) - "which". A relative pronoun connecting the calamity to God's decree.
  • חָשַׁ֥בְתִּיהָ (chashávtiha) - "I have devised it" or "I have determined it". The Qal perfect first person common singular of the verb "chashav", meaning to think, plan, reckon, or devise. This emphasizes God's foreknowledge and sovereign plan behind the judgment. The suffix "ha" refers back to "ra'atah" (their calamity).
  • עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (aléihem) - "against them". Another instance of the preposition "al" with the plural suffix, reinforcing the direction of the calamity against the people of Elam.
  • וְנָתַ֕תִּי (v'natáti) - "and I will give". The Hiphil imperfect first person common singular of the verb "natan", meaning to give. Here, it signifies bringing something upon them as a consequence.
  • אֶת־דְּרָכָ֥ם (et-drachám) - "their refuge" or "their escape". "Derekh" can mean a way, path, or journey, and in this context, it refers to a place or means of escape or refuge.
  • בַּחֶ֣רֶב (bácherév) - "by the sword". "Cherev" means sword, representing warfare and violent destruction.
  • וְהִצַּלְתִּ֛י (v'hitzálti) - "and I will scatter". The Hiphil imperfect first person common singular of the verb "yatzal", meaning to deliver or rescue. However, in the Hiphil causative, it can mean to deliver over to destruction, i.e., to scatter or disperse. The context implies a scattering in defeat and destruction.
  • אֹתָ֖ם (otám) - "them". Refers to the people of Elam.
  • מִמֶּֽנָּה (miménna) - "from it". "Min" is a preposition meaning "from." The suffix "na" refers to Elam, indicating they will be scattered away from their land.
  • וְאֶתֵּ֣ן (v'etén) - "and I will give". The Qal imperfect first person common singular of "natan" (to give).
  • שְׁמֹ֧ומָם (shémomám) - "their desolation" or "their astonishment". From the root "shamen", meaning to be desolate or waste. It describes the state of utter destruction.
  • לַגֹּיִ֑ים (laggóyim) - "to the nations". "Goyim" refers to the gentile nations. This suggests their desolation will be a spectacle for other peoples.

Jeremiah 49 35 Bonus Section

The prophecy against Elam connects to a broader pattern in Jeremiah of pronouncements against surrounding nations, demonstrating God's universal sovereignty and His commitment to justice. Elam, like Babylon and other empires mentioned, experienced eventual decline and absorption into larger empires, fulfilling these ancient prophecies. The idea of being a "shattered vessel" or "scattered" can also be seen metaphorically in other parts of Scripture related to divine judgment, suggesting a loss of identity and purpose.

Jeremiah 49 35 Commentary

Jeremiah 49:35 paints a vivid picture of divine judgment upon Elam. God declares His intention to bring a predetermined calamity, emphasizing His sovereign control over historical events. The imagery of a broken vessel signifies complete ruin and uselessness. Elam, once a powerful kingdom, will be rendered unable to defend itself or find any refuge. The prophecy states they will be scattered by the sword and their land left desolate, becoming an object lesson for other nations. This foretells not only military defeat but also a complete disruption of their society and territory, rendering them an astonishment. This judgment serves as a reminder that all nations are accountable to God and that He is capable of enacting His will across the geopolitical landscape.