Jeremiah 49:31
Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.
Original Language Analysis
ק֣וּמוּ
Arise
H6965
ק֣וּמוּ
Arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 16
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עֲל֗וּ
get you up
H5927
עֲל֗וּ
get you up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
2 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
גּ֥וֹי
nation
H1471
גּ֥וֹי
nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
4 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
שְׁלֵ֛יו
unto the wealthy
H7961
שְׁלֵ֛יו
unto the wealthy
Strong's:
H7961
Word #:
5 of 16
tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security
יוֹשֵׁ֥ב
that dwelleth
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֥ב
that dwelleth
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
לָבֶ֖טַח
without care
H983
לָבֶ֖טַח
without care
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דְלָתַ֧יִם
which have neither gates
H1817
דְלָתַ֧יִם
which have neither gates
Strong's:
H1817
Word #:
11 of 16
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
Cross References
Ezekiel 38:11And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,Isaiah 47:8Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:Deuteronomy 33:28Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.Numbers 23:9For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.Micah 7:14Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
Historical Context
Bedouin tribes' lack of fixed fortifications was strategic—they relied on desert's vastness and mobility. But this also meant vulnerability to concerted military campaigns. Their 'dwelling alone' reflected political independence, not covenant relationship. Geographic isolation cannot substitute for divine protection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse distinguish between false security (isolation, wealth) and true security (God's covenant protection)?
- What modern forms of 'dwelling alone' (self-sufficiency, isolationism) offer illusory safety?
- Why is complacency ('dwelling without care') spiritually dangerous even when circumstances seem secure?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care (קוּמוּ עֲלוּ אֶל־גּוֹי שְׁלֵיו יוֹשֵׁב לָבֶטַח, qumu alu el-goy sh'lev yoshev lavetach)—God commands Babylon to attack a shalev (at ease, tranquil) people living lavetach (securely). This is biting irony: Kedar's security becomes the reason for attack. Prosperity without vigilance invites predation. Their 'dwelling in security' stems from isolation, not covenant protection—a false security exposed by judgment.
Which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone (לֹא־דְלָתַיִם וְלֹא־בְרִיחַ לוֹ בָּדָד יִשְׁכֹּנוּ, lo-d'latayim v'lo-v'riach lo badad yishkonu)—No fortifications, and dwelling badad (alone, isolated). This describes nomadic lifestyle as tactical weakness. The very independence and mobility Kedar prized becomes vulnerability. Numbers 23:9's description of Israel ('the people shall dwell alone') is inverted—Israel's separation was holy distinction under God's protection; Kedar's isolation is merely geographic, offering no shelter from Babylon's reach or God's justice.