Jeremiah 49:37
For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:
Original Language Analysis
וְהַחְתַּתִּ֣י
to be dismayed
H2865
וְהַחְתַּתִּ֣י
to be dismayed
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵ֠ילָם
For I will cause Elam
H5867
עֵ֠ילָם
For I will cause Elam
Strong's:
H5867
Word #:
3 of 23
elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites
וְלִפְנֵ֣י׀
and before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵ֣י׀
and before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְלִפְנֵ֣י׀
and before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵ֣י׀
and before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י
them that seek
H1245
מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י
them that seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
7 of 23
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
נַפְשָׁ֗ם
their life
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֗ם
their life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י
and I will bring
H935
וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י
and I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עֲלֵיהֶ֧ם׀
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֧ם׀
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אַפִּ֖י
anger
H639
אַפִּ֖י
anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֤י
and I will send
H7971
וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֤י
and I will send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
17 of 23
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֶ֔רֶב
the sword
H2719
הַחֶ֔רֶב
the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
20 of 23
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
עַ֥ד
H5704
עַ֥ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
21 of 23
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Jeremiah 9:16I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.Jeremiah 48:2There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
Historical Context
Elam faced multiple invasions: Babylonian campaigns, then Persian conquest under Cyrus, later Hellenistic conflicts. The 'sword after them' describes recurring military disasters that prevented Elam from regaining power. God's 'fierce anger' manifested through historical processes, not just supernatural intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use 'dismay' and psychological warfare as instruments of judgment alongside physical destruction?
- What does God's 'fierce anger' reveal about His holiness and justice—is divine wrath arbitrary or principled?
- In what sense does the 'sword' pursue until consumption, and when does God's judgment reach completion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies (וְהַחְתַּתִּי אֶת־עֵילָם לִפְנֵי אֹיְבֵיהֶם, v'hachtattti et-Elam lifnei oy'veihem)—The verb chatat means to shatter, terrify, dismay. God personally engineers psychological collapse. Elam's warriors will lose courage, fulfilling covenant curse patterns (Leviticus 26:36-37). And before them that seek their life—not casual opponents but mortal enemies intent on extermination.
And I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger (וְהֵבֵאתִי עֲלֵיהֶם רָעָה אֶת־חֲרוֹן אַפִּי, v'heveti aleihem ra'ah et-charon appi)—Ra'ah (calamity/evil) is God's judicial response; charon appi (burning of My anger) reveals the intensity. Divine wrath isn't capricious emotion but settled judicial response to sin. And I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them—the sword personified as pursuing predator. Kalah (consume) suggests thorough, not necessarily total, destruction—enough to accomplish God's purposes.