Jeremiah 49:20
Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
שִׁמְע֣וּ
Therefore hear
H8085
שִׁמְע֣וּ
Therefore hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָעַץ֙
that he hath taken
H3289
יָעַץ֙
that he hath taken
Strong's:
H3289
Word #:
6 of 24
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
אֱד֔וֹם
against Edom
H123
אֱד֔וֹם
against Edom
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
8 of 24
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
וּמַ֨חְשְׁבוֹתָ֔יו
and his purposes
H4284
וּמַ֨חְשְׁבוֹתָ֔יו
and his purposes
Strong's:
H4284
Word #:
9 of 24
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חָשַׁ֖ב
that he hath purposed
H2803
חָשַׁ֖ב
that he hath purposed
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
against the inhabitants
H3427
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
against the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
תֵימָ֑ן
of Teman
H8487
תֵימָ֑ן
of Teman
Strong's:
H8487
Word #:
14 of 24
teman, the name of two edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
15 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
ל֤וֹא
H3808
ל֤וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
צְעִירֵ֣י
Surely the least
H6810
צְעִירֵ֣י
Surely the least
Strong's:
H6810
Word #:
18 of 24
little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble
הַצֹּ֔אן
of the flock
H6629
הַצֹּ֔אן
of the flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
19 of 24
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
20 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַשִּׁ֛ים
desolate
H8074
יַשִּׁ֛ים
desolate
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
22 of 24
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
Cross References
Jeremiah 50:45Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.Jeremiah 49:7Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
Historical Context
Teman was a district and city in Edom, renowned for wisdom traditions (Obadiah 8-9). Eliphaz, Job's 'wise' friend who was later rebuked by God, was a Temanite (Job 2:11). This ironic detail suggests Edom's celebrated wisdom was ultimately insufficient.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's 'counsel' reveal about the intentionality and justice of His judgments?
- How does the promise that 'the least' will triumph deconstruct worldly measures of strength and capability?
- In what ways might human wisdom become foolishness when divorced from the fear of the Lord?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD (לָכֵן שִׁמְעוּ עֲצַת־יְהוָה, lakhen shim'u atzat-YHWH)—The imperative shim'u demands attention to divine deliberation. Atzah (counsel) appears in divine council contexts (see Jeremiah 23:18, 22), revealing that God's judgments proceed from sovereign deliberation, not capricious wrath. His purposes against the inhabitants of Teman (מַחְשְׁבוֹתָיו, machsh'votav)—divine 'thoughts' are effective purposes, not mere intentions.
Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out (צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן, tse'irei hatson)—Even the weakest soldiers will drag away Edom's mighty warriors. This humiliating reversal—shepherd boys defeating warrior-shepherds—emphasizes total defeat. Teman, synonymous with Edom and famous for wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7), will learn that wisdom apart from God's fear is folly. Their desolate habitations testify that human cunning cannot forestall divine decree.