Jeremiah 49:19
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Original Language Analysis
יַעֲלֶ֨ה
Behold he shall come up
H5927
יַעֲלֶ֨ה
Behold he shall come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
3 of 27
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
נְוֵ֣ה
against the habitation
H5116
נְוֵ֣ה
against the habitation
Strong's:
H5116
Word #:
7 of 27
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
אֵיתָן֒
of the strong
H386
אֵיתָן֒
of the strong
Strong's:
H386
Word #:
8 of 27
permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַרְגִּ֤יעָה
but I will suddenly
H7280
אַרְגִּ֤יעָה
but I will suddenly
Strong's:
H7280
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci
אֲרִיצֶ֨נּוּ
make him run away
H7323
אֲרִיצֶ֨נּוּ
make him run away
Strong's:
H7323
Word #:
11 of 27
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּמִ֥י
H4310
וּמִ֥י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
13 of 27
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בָח֖וּר
from her and who is a chosen
H977
בָח֖וּר
from her and who is a chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
אֶפְקֹ֑ד
man that I may appoint
H6485
אֶפְקֹ֑ד
man that I may appoint
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
16 of 27
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִ֤י
H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
18 of 27
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
וּמִ֣י
H4310
וּמִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
20 of 27
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יֹעִידֶ֔נִּי
over her for who is like me and who will appoint me the time
H3259
יֹעִידֶ֔נִּי
over her for who is like me and who will appoint me the time
Strong's:
H3259
Word #:
21 of 27
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi
וּמִי
H4310
וּמִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
22 of 27
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
רֹעֶ֔ה
and who is that shepherd
H7462
רֹעֶ֔ה
and who is that shepherd
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
24 of 27
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
25 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 12:5If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?Jeremiah 30:21And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.Job 9:19If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?Job 41:10None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?Exodus 15:11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?Joshua 3:15And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
Historical Context
The Jordan valley's riparian forests harbored lions until medieval times. The 'swelling' refers to Jordan flooding during harvest season (Joshua 3:15), when lions were driven from cover and became dangerous predators—an apt metaphor for God's unstoppable judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's rhetorical questions dismantle human autonomy and establish His exclusive right to judge?
- What does the 'lion from Jordan' image teach about the suddenness and ferocity of divine judgment?
- How should the doctrine of God's incomparability shape our response to His commands and warnings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan (כְּאַרְיֵה יַעֲלֶה, k'aryeh ya'aleh)—God depicts Himself as the apex predator bursting from Jordan's dense thickets (ga'on haYarden, the 'pride of Jordan'—dense jungle along the riverbank where lions once lived). This terrifying image of divine warfare overwhelms Edom's 'strong habitation' (naveh eitan).
Who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? (מִי כָמֹונִי וּמִי יוֹעִדֵנִי, mi khamoni umi yo'ideni)—Four rhetorical questions establish God's incomparability and judicial prerogative. No shepherd (leader) can withstand Him; no chosen champion can represent Edom. These questions echo God's self-revelation to Job (Job 38-41) and Moses (Exodus 15:11). Human pretensions to sovereignty crumble before the thrice-holy Judge who owes no one an explanation for His verdicts.