Jeremiah 49:21
The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
Original Language Analysis
נִפְלָ֔ם
of their fall
H5307
נִפְלָ֔ם
of their fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
2 of 9
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
רָעֲשָׁ֖ה
is moved
H7493
רָעֲשָׁ֖ה
is moved
Strong's:
H7493
Word #:
3 of 9
to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)
בְּיַם
sea
H3220
בְּיַם
sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
6 of 9
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
Historical Context
Edom's territory extended to the Gulf of Aqaba (Yam Suf), where they controlled the port of Ezion-geber. This strategic location provided wealth through maritime trade with Arabia and East Africa. The Red Sea reference also evokes Israel's deliverance—God who saved Israel will now judge Edom.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture use cosmic imagery (earth shaking) to describe national judgments?
- How does the Red Sea reference connect Edom's judgment to the Exodus and God's covenant faithfulness?
- What does the 'noise' and 'cry' language suggest about the human cost of divine judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The earth is moved at the noise of their fall (רָעֲשָׁה הָאָרֶץ מִקּוֹל נִפְלָם, ra'ashah ha'aretz mikkol niflam)—The verb ra'ash describes seismic trembling, suggesting Edom's collapse has cosmic significance. This hyperbolic language elevates judgment to apocalyptic proportions, indicating that individual nations' fates reveal universal principles of divine justice.
At the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea (בְּיַם־סוּף נִשְׁמַע קֹלוֹ, b'yam-suf nishma qolo)—The shriek of Edom's death agony echoes to the Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba), the southern boundary of Edomite territory. This geographic detail roots the prophecy in Edom's actual domain while suggesting their cry is heard in the very waters where God drowned Pharaoh's army—a typological connection implying Edom faces exodus-style destruction for opposing God's people.