Jeremiah 49:14
I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙
I have heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙
I have heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 12
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מֵאֵ֣ת
H853
מֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֔ה
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם
unto the heathen
H1471
בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם
unto the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 12
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
שָׁל֑וּחַ
is sent
H7971
שָׁל֑וּחַ
is sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
7 of 12
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
This oracle against Edom (586-585 BC) follows Jerusalem's destruction. The Edomites had betrayed their Judahite kinsmen by assisting Babylon and plundering refugees. Nabonidus of Babylon would campaign against Edom circa 553 BC, fulfilling this prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of pagan nations to judge other pagan nations demonstrate His universal sovereignty?
- What does Edom's betrayal of Judah reveal about the spiritual danger of rejoicing in others' calamities?
- How does Jeremiah's access to divine 'intelligence' prefigure believers' access to God's revelation in Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I have heard a rumour from the LORD (שְׁמוּעָה שָׁמַעְתִּי, shemu'ah shamati)—Jeremiah receives divine intelligence about Edom's impending judgment. The tsir (צִיר, ambassador) sent among nations coordinates the coalition against Edom, showing God's sovereignty over international politics. This prophetic eavesdropping on heaven's war council echoes Isaiah's vision and demonstrates that no nation escapes Yahweh's judicial oversight.
Gather ye together, and come against her—The imperative forms signal God's active orchestration of judgment through human agency. Edom, Judah's blood relative through Esau, will face the same Babylonian sword they celebrated when Jerusalem fell (Obadiah 10-14). The bitter irony: Edom's schadenfreude becomes their own obituary.