Jeremiah 49:25
How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עִ֣יר
How is the city
H5892
עִ֣יר
How is the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
4 of 7
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
Jeremiah 33:9And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.Jeremiah 51:41How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!
Historical Context
Damascus boasted millennia of history, appearing in Genesis 14:15. Its gardens, fed by the Abana and Pharpar rivers, were legendary (2 Kings 5:12). Greek and Roman writers praised Damascus's beauty. Yet none of this cultural capital could buy reprieve from God's judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does human praise and renown fail to secure a city or nation against divine judgment?
- What does this verse teach about the difference between human valuation and divine evaluation?
- How might Christians wrongly trust in cultural achievements or historical pedigree rather than covenant faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
How is the city of praise not left (אֵיךְ לֹא־עֻזְּבָה עִיר תְּהִלָּה, eikh lo-uzzevah ir tehillah)—This exclamation expresses shock that Damascus, the celebrated city (ir tehillah, 'city of praise/renown'), faces destruction. Some interpret this as lament from Damascus's citizens, others as sarcastic divine question: 'Why hasn't this supposedly great city been spared?' The irony is thick—renown provides no immunity from judgment.
The city of my joy (קִרְיַת מְשׂוֹשִׂי, qiryat mesosi)—If spoken by Syrians, this reflects their pride in Damascus. If spoken by God ironically, it mocks their false confidence. Damascus's ancient glory, commercial prosperity, and cultural achievements cannot avert divine sentence. Earthly acclaim means nothing at God's bar; only covenant faithfulness matters. The rhetorical question format invites hearers to ponder: What makes a city worth preserving? Not human praise but divine pleasure.