Jeremiah 50:44
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
Original Language Analysis
יַעֲלֶ֨ה
Behold he shall come up
H5927
יַעֲלֶ֨ה
Behold he shall come up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
3 of 27
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
נְוֵ֣ה
unto the habitation
H5116
נְוֵ֣ה
unto the habitation
Strong's:
H5116
Word #:
7 of 27
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
אֵיתָן֒
of the strong
H386
אֵיתָן֒
of the strong
Strong's:
H386
Word #:
8 of 27
permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַרְגִּ֤עָה
them suddenly
H7280
אַרְגִּ֤עָה
them suddenly
Strong's:
H7280
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci
אֲרִוצֵם֙
but I will make
H7323
אֲרִוצֵם֙
but I will make
Strong's:
H7323
Word #:
11 of 27
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּמִ֥י
H4310
וּמִ֥י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
13 of 27
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בָח֖וּר
from her and who is a chosen
H977
בָח֖וּר
from her and who is a chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
אֶפְקֹ֑ד
man that I may appoint
H6485
אֶפְקֹ֑ד
man that I may appoint
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
16 of 27
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִ֤י
H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
18 of 27
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
וּמִ֣י
H4310
וּמִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
20 of 27
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יוֹעִדֶ֔נִּי
over her for who is like me and who will appoint me the time
H3259
יוֹעִדֶ֔נִּי
over her for who is like me and who will appoint me the time
Strong's:
H3259
Word #:
21 of 27
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi
וּמִֽי
H4310
וּמִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
22 of 27
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
רֹעֶ֔ה
and who is that shepherd
H7462
רֹעֶ֔ה
and who is that shepherd
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
24 of 27
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
25 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 40:25To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.Isaiah 41:25I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.Isaiah 46:11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.Isaiah 43:10Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.Isaiah 46:9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,Psalms 89:6For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?Exodus 15:11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Historical Context
God's 'chosen man' for Babylon was Cyrus, explicitly named in Isaiah 44:28, 45:1 ('my shepherd,' 'my anointed'). Yet Cyrus didn't know God (Isaiah 45:4-5). This reveals God's sovereign use of pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes—Cyrus was God's unconscious instrument.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Scripture repeat prophetic formulas (like the lion from Jordan) across different contexts?
- How do God's rhetorical questions deconstruct human claims to autonomy and authority?
- What does God's appointment of Cyrus teach about His ability to use anyone—even pagan kings—for His purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan—This verse repeats 49:19 nearly verbatim, applying language used for Edom's judgment to Babylon. The lion from Jordan's thickets represents unstoppable divine assault. But I will make them suddenly run away from her (כִּי אַרְגִּיעָה אֲרִיצֵם מֵעָלֶיהָ, ki argi'ah aritsem me'aleha)—God will cause Babylon's defenders to flee instantly.
And who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?—Four rhetorical questions establishing God's sovereignty and incomparability. No human leader can challenge God's choice of Babylon's conqueror (Cyrus). No one can summon God to court or demand explanation. No shepherd (king/leader) can resist His decrees. These questions demolish human autonomy and judicial pretensions. We are accountable to God; He is accountable to no one. This is both terrifying (for rebels) and comforting (for those who trust Him).