Jeremiah 49:38
And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וְשַׂמְתִּ֥י
And I will set
H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֥י
And I will set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 9
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בְּעֵילָ֑ם
in Elam
H5867
בְּעֵילָ֑ם
in Elam
Strong's:
H5867
Word #:
3 of 9
elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites
וְהַאֲבַדְתִּ֥י
and will destroy
H6
וְהַאֲבַדְתִּ֥י
and will destroy
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
מִשָּׁ֛ם
H8033
Historical Context
After Cyrus conquered Elam/Persia (c. 550 BC), Elam lost independent monarchy and became a Persian satrapy. The royal line ended, fulfilling the destruction of 'king and princes.' Yet Elamites continued as a people group, awaiting the restoration promised in v. 39.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God 'setting His throne' in a pagan nation teach about His universal sovereignty?
- How does the destruction of earthly kings prefigure the ultimate reign of Christ over all nations?
- In what ways do earthly governments acknowledge (or resist) God's enthroned authority over them?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I will set my throne in Elam (וְשַׂמְתִּי כִסְאִי בְּעֵילָם, v'samtii khis'i b'Elam)—Stunning imagery: God establishes His judicial/royal throne in Elam's territory. This echoes Ancient Near Eastern conquest ideology where victorious kings 'set their throne' in defeated capitals, but here the King is Yahweh Himself. God's throne symbolizes His sovereign rule and judicial authority—Elam will be directly governed by divine decree.
And will destroy from thence the king and the princes (וְהַאֲבַדְתִּי מִשָּׁם מֶלֶךְ וְשָׂרִים, v'ha'avadti missham melekh v'sarim)—Total governmental decapitation. The ruling class will be eliminated (abad, destroyed/perish). This fulfilled when Persian conquest ended Elamite political autonomy—no more independent Elamite kings. Yet the throne imagery also anticipates Christ's universal reign: one day God's throne will indeed govern all nations (Revelation 21:24-26). Elam's subjugation prefigures ultimate submission of all earthly powers to heaven's King.