Jeremiah 49 38

Jeremiah 49:38 kjv

And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 49:38 nkjv

I will set My throne in Elam, And will destroy from there the king and the princes,' says the LORD.

Jeremiah 49:38 niv

I will set my throne in Elam and destroy her king and officials," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 49:38 esv

and I will set my throne in Elam and destroy their king and officials, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 49:38 nlt

I will set my throne in Elam," says the LORD,
"and I will destroy its king and officials.

Jeremiah 49 38 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Jeremiah 25:38He has forsaken his lair like a lion; for the land has become a desolate waste because of the sword of the oppressor and his fierce anger.Judgment on nations
Isaiah 22:6Elam bore the quiver with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.Elam's military prowess
Ezekiel 32:24"There are Elamites and all their multitude, surrounding their graves, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who went down uncircumcised to the Pit, for they inspired terror in the land of the living, and they bore their shame with those who went down to the Pit."Elam's destruction
Jeremiah 49:34"This is the word that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah."Prophecy Introduction
Jeremiah 49:39"But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring back the captivity of Elam," says the LORD. "But I will bring back the captivity of Elam," says the LORD.Future Restoration
Revelation 18:21Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and hurled it into the sea, saying, "Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon the great city be thrown down, and shall be found no more."Symbolic judgment
Acts 2:5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.Diaspora
Genesis 10:22The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram.Elam's origin
Psalm 110:1The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."Divine Sovereignty
Isaiah 45:7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.God's universal power
Jeremiah 1:14Then the LORD said to me, "Out of the north evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land."Coming destruction
Jeremiah 25:15-38God's judgment poured out on all nations, including Elam implicitly.Universal judgment
Lamentations 2:2How the Lord in his anger has set the daughter of Zion under a cloud, and has cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and hath not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger.God's anger
Nahum 1:2-6God's vengeance against His enemies.God's vengeance
Obadiah 1:15-16For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you, and your deeds shall return on your own head. For as you have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the nations drink continually; they shall drink and swallow, and be as though they had not been.Day of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.Christ's reign
1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the right time he may exalt you.Humility and exaltation
Isaiah 54:17No weapon that is formed against you shall succeed, and any tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.Divine protection
Psalm 76:7You, even you, are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger has risen?Fear of God's wrath
Isaiah 13:16Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives violated.Babylonian judgment

Jeremiah 49 verses

Jeremiah 49 38 Meaning

Jeremiah 49:38 declares that God's presence and power will ultimately overwhelm and consume any perceived stability or authority of Elam. Despite the city's formidable defenses and its people's strength, divine judgment will fall, marked by terror, destruction, and the scattering of its inhabitants. Ultimately, God's judgment on Elam is absolute and decisive, establishing His inescapable sovereignty.

Jeremiah 49 38 Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy concerning the judgment of nations in the book of Jeremiah. Chapters 46-51 focus on specific oracles against Egypt, Philistia, Edom, Damascus, Kedar and Hazor, Elam, and Babylon. Chapter 49, specifically, deals with the judgment against various nations including Elam. The prophecy against Elam, beginning in verse 34, serves as a declaration of God's sovereign judgment upon this ancient people. Historically, Elam was a significant ancient civilization located east of Babylon, known for its military strength and its role in regional conflicts. The oracle reflects the geopolitical realities of Jeremiah's time, a period of encroaching Babylonian power. The prophetic message aims to reassure God's people of His ultimate control, even amidst the terrifying advance of empires. This particular verse emphasizes the thoroughness and severity of God's judgment, leaving no refuge for Elam.

Jeremiah 49 38 Word Analysis

  • "and": A conjunctive particle linking phrases or clauses.
  • "I": Refers to God, the speaker of the prophecy.
  • "will": Indicates a future certainty.
  • "break": Implies a sudden and forceful disruption.
  • "in": A preposition indicating location or entry.
  • "pieces": Suggests fragmentation and utter destruction.
  • "the": A definite article specifying.
  • "bow": Represents weapons and the act of warfare, symbolizing Elam's military might and reliance on human strength.
  • "of": A preposition indicating possession or origin.
  • "Elam": The nation being addressed, historically situated east of the Tigris river, known for archery and military prowess.
  • "and": Conjunction.
  • "the": Definite article.
  • "the": Definite article.
  • "chief": Indicates leadership or foremost status; here referring to the primary source or instigator of their military strength.
  • "of": Preposition.
  • "their": Possessive pronoun.
  • "might": Refers to strength, power, or force.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "and I will break in pieces the bow of Elam": This phrase signifies God's direct intervention to render impotent the primary military tool and symbol of Elam's strength. The "bow" represents their capability in warfare, their reliance on skill and armament. God's action is absolute; He will shatter it completely.
  • "and the chief of their might": This further elaborates on the extent of God's judgment. It targets not just the tools of war but the very source and concentration of their military power and leadership. It suggests a dismantling of their command structure and the essence of their formidable strength, leaving them utterly vulnerable.

Jeremiah 49 38 Bonus Section

The mention of Elam's bow is significant because archers from Elam were renowned in ancient Near Eastern warfare. They were known for their skill and effectiveness, making the bow a potent symbol of their military identity and national pride. This prophecy demonstrates that God’s judgment targets not only external power but the internal foundations upon which a nation's confidence is built. The subsequent verse (49:39) offers a glimmer of future restoration for Elam, suggesting a cyclical pattern in God’s dealings with nations—judgment followed by eventual mercy or remembrance, though the immediate focus here is severe and complete destruction.

Jeremiah 49 38 Commentary

This verse graphically illustrates God's complete sovereignty over human power and nations. Elam, historically recognized for its archery and military prowess, symbolized by its "bow," is a prime example of a nation that relied on its own strength. Jeremiah declares that God Himself will shatter this bow and dismantle the core of their might. This judgment signifies not merely a military defeat, but a total obliteration of their capacity to resist or exert power. It is a powerful statement that no earthly power, however great, can withstand God's ultimate judgment and decree. This principle echoes throughout scripture: human strength is ultimately fragile when set against the omnipotence of God.