Jeremiah 49:33
And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיְתָ֨ה
H1961
וְהָיְתָ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
חָצ֜וֹר
And Hazor
H2674
חָצ֜וֹר
And Hazor
Strong's:
H2674
Word #:
2 of 16
chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia
לִמְע֥וֹן
shall be a dwelling
H4583
לִמְע֥וֹן
shall be a dwelling
Strong's:
H4583
Word #:
3 of 16
an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)
תַּנִּ֛ים
for dragons
H8577
תַּנִּ֛ים
for dragons
Strong's:
H8577
Word #:
4 of 16
a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal
עַד
for
H5704
עַד
for
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עוֹלָ֑ם
ever
H5769
עוֹלָ֑ם
ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵשֵׁ֥ב
abide
H3427
יֵשֵׁ֥ב
abide
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
שָׁם֙
H8033
אִ֔ישׁ
there shall no man
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
there shall no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 16
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָג֥וּר
dwell
H1481
יָג֥וּר
dwell
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:37And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant.Jeremiah 9:11And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.Jeremiah 10:22Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.Malachi 1:3And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.Zephaniah 2:9Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
Historical Context
Archaeological and historical records show significant disruption to Arabian tribal confederations during Neo-Babylonian period. While Arabs continued in the region, the specific kingdoms mentioned (Kedar, Hazor settlements) lost political cohesion and economic dominance. Later Persian and Nabatean Arabs were different entities.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the 'dwelling for jackals' motif teach about God's ability to reverse human civilization?
- How should we interpret prophetic 'forever' language—as absolute or hyperbolic emphasis?
- What does Hazor's fate teach about the impermanence of human settlements apart from God's blessing?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons (וְהָיְתָה חָצוֹר לִמְעוֹן תַּנִּים, v'hay'tah Chatzor lim'on tannim)—Tannim (jackals/desert creatures) will inhabit formerly human settlements. This fate parallels Edom's (v. 17) and Babylon's (50:39), indicating total desolation. Where humans thrived, only scavengers prowl—a reversal of creation's order signaling uncreation under God's curse.
And a desolation for ever (שְׁמָמָה עַד־עוֹלָם, sh'mamah ad-olam)—Not temporary setback but perpetual abandonment. There shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it—The Sodom formula (v. 18) reappears. While Babylon would eventually be inhabited again (Hazor wasn't Babylon), the Arabian tribal kingdoms never recovered their former prominence. The 'forever' language uses prophetic hyperbole to emphasize thorough judgment, even if not absolute perpetuity.