Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.
Read it in contextProphecy Against Edom
Start reading at Jeremiah 49:7 (Jeremiah 49:7 to Jeremiah 49:22).
This verse is part of a specific oracle against Edom, which begins at Jeremiah 49:7 and concludes at Jeremiah 49:22, detailing God's judgment upon this nation.
49:7Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
49:8Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.
49:9If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.
49:10But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.
49:11Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
49:12For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.
49:13For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
49:14I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
49:15For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
49:16Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.
49:17Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.
49:18As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
49:19Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him 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?
49:20Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
49:21The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
49:22Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Jeremiah son of Hilkiah is the prophet behind the book, with Baruch serving as his scribe. The complete collection includes narrative and a historical appendix as well as Jeremiah's dictated words. Biblical references: Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 36:32. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Jeremiah 46:1–51:64): The oracles concern the named nations and cities, including Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, Elam, and Babylon. These are prophetic addresses about those peoples, not a single gathering of their inhabitants. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem before and during the Babylonian crisis, exiles in Babylon, and later readers of the preserved prophetic collection. Individual oracles name additional recipients. Biblical references: Jeremiah 2:2; Jeremiah 29:1; Jeremiah 46:1. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the LORD's judgment against Edom for its pride and false sense of security, despite its formidable dwelling places.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His absolute sovereignty and power to humble the proud, stating that no nation, regardless of its perceived strength or inaccessible location, can escape His judgment.
What is the literary style? The literary style is prophetic oracle, using direct address, vivid imagery (like making a nest as high as an eagle), and a declaration of divine judgment.
When
When was it written? The book of Jeremiah was written approximately 626 to 580 B.C.
When does the event take place? The prophecy describes a future judgment upon Edom, which would occur after the time of Jeremiah's prophecy.
Where
Where did it happen? The prophecy is directed against Edom, a nation known for dwelling 'in the clefts of the rock' and holding 'the height of the hill', referring to its mountainous and fortified territory.
Where was the author located? Jeremiah was located in Judah, and later in Egypt, during the period of writing.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Prophecy Against Edom (Jeremiah 49:7 to Jeremiah 49:22).
Start reading at Jeremiah 49:7. This verse is part of a specific oracle against Edom, which begins at Jeremiah 49:7 and concludes at Jeremiah 49:22, detailing God's judgment upon this nation.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse is part of a larger section in Jeremiah 49 containing prophecies against various foreign nations, demonstrating the LORD's universal authority and His intention to judge all nations, including Edom, for their sins and pride. It specifically continues the oracle against Edom that began in Jeremiah 49:7. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This passage points to the ultimate authority and judgment of the one God, who brings down the proud and exalts the humble. Christ, as the one through whom God will judge the world, embodies this divine power and sovereignty. The passage foreshadows the day when all earthly pride and perceived invincibility will be brought low before the righteous judgment of God, which will be executed by Christ. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today should learn humility and not trust in their own strength, achievements, or secure positions. Pride can deceive the heart, leading to a false sense of security. Instead, one should trust in the LORD, recognizing His supreme power to humble the proud and exalt those who walk in humility before Him. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Jeremiah 49
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Jeremiah records words associated with his prophetic ministry and accounts surrounding Judah's fall. The book is not arranged as one continuous dated diary. Read each oracle's audience, occasion, and conditions rather than assigning every promise to every reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The collected oracles extend the judgment announcements beyond Judah and culminate in the words against Babylon.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The collected oracles extend the judgment announcements beyond Judah and culminate in the words against Babylon.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Jeremiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Jeremiah records words associated with his prophetic ministry and accounts surrounding Judah's fall. The book is not arranged as one continuous dated diary. Read each oracle's audience, occasion, and conditions rather than assigning every promise to every reader.
Connection to the wholeNarratives and letters contrast competing claims about the LORD's word and address life under Babylonian power, including the exiles' situation.
Connection to the wholeWords of restoration appear amid announced judgment, including the new covenant promise; their wording and named audience must remain visible.
Connection to the wholeThe accounts follow conflicts around the prophetic word, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the choices of survivors, with a word to Baruch.
Connection to the wholeThe historical appendix recounts the disaster and closes with Jehoiachin's release, placing the preceding messages beside their historical aftermath.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.