1The judgment of the Ammonites: 6their restoration. 7The judgment of Edom, 23of Damascus, 28of Kedar, 30of Hazor, 34and of Elam. 39The restoration of Elam.
1CONCERNING1 the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no 2sons? hath he no heir? why then doth 3their king inherit 4Gad,a and 5his people dwell in 6his cities?
1 Compare Ezek. 21:28; 25:2; Amos 1:13; Zeph. 1:8, 9.
2 That Ammon thus possesses his land, as if he were heir of it? the Lord will say.
3 Or, their Melech, understand the idol of the Ammonites, otherwise called Milcom and Molech, Lev. 18:21; 1 Kings 11:5, 7. See there, and compare verse 3; Judges 11:24; Jer. 48 on verse 7. Some translate it: their king, namely, of the Ammonites; which may also be understood of the idol, for, they called their idols their kings. Compare Ezek. 43:7; Amos 5:26, with the annotations.
4 That is, of the land that was allotted and given of God by Moses to the tribe of Gad. See Num. 32:33, 34; Deut. 3:12, 16. Compare the manner of speech with Judges 11:23, 24, and here in the next verse.
a Amos 1:13.
5 Of the idol Malcham. Compare Jer. 48:46.
6 Namely, the cities of Gad; as when the Moabites had taken the rest. See Jer. 48 on verse 21.
2Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an 7alarm of war to be heard in 8Rabbahb of the Ammonites; and it shall be a 9desolate heap, and her 10daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be 11heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.
7 Understand an alarm of soldiers, or a sound of trumpets or cornets.
8 The capital city of the Ammonites. See 2 Sam. 11:1; 12:29, 30, 31. Likewise Amos 1:14.
b Amos 1:14.
9 Hebr. heap of desolation, that is. Rabbah shall lie in a mess, like an heap of stones. Compare Deut. 13:16.
10 Heb. daughters, that is, the little towns and villages which belong to her jurisdiction. See 2 Kings 19 on verse 21.
11 See on the previous verse; but forasmuch as we do nowhere read that the ten tribes, that were carried away, were brought again to their temporal possession (though some private men of those tribes returned with Judah), therefore this must be understood spiritually, so that God indeed first maintained and executed the right of inheritance (which He had given His people) even against the Ammonites, as unrighteous possessors, expelling them out of His people’s land, and thereby declaring Israel to be the right heir thereof; but afterward brought the true Israelites to their perfect possession in their Head the Messiah, under Whose Kingdom He has put all nations, and made the faithful to be His brethren and co-heirs. See Psalm 2:8; Rom. 8:17, etc.; Rev. 11:15, and compare Isa. 11:14; Ezek. 25:14, with the annotations.
3Howl, O 12Heshbon, for 13Ai is spoiled: cry, ye 14daughters of Rabbah, gird you with 15sackcloth; lament,c and run to and fro by the 16hedges; for 17their king shall go into captivity, and his priestsd and his princes together.
12 As a neighboring city, which also appertained to Gad, Joshua 21:39.
13 Another Ai than that in Joshua 7.
14 Thereby may be understood here the women and maids who dwelt at Rabbah. Compare Luke 23:28.
15 See Gen. 37 on verse 34.
c Isa. 32:12; Jer. 4:8; 6:26.
16 Or, fences; as dismayed and perplexed men or persons, not knowing where to hide yourselves or whither to flee.
17 See similar manner of speech of Chemosh, the idol of the Moabites, Jer. 48:7; Amos 1 on verse 15.
d Jer. 48:7.
4Wherefore gloriest thou in the 18valleys, thy flowing 19valley, O 20backsliding daughter? that trusted in her 21treasures,esaying, 22Whof shall come unto me?
18 Or, depths, deep places, in which thou thinkest to be shut up and secured.
19 That is, thy low grounds, valleys and depths do not serve thee for valleys that thou wouldest be able to hide thyself in them, or, all the fruits of the valleys are as light as water that is flown away; or, the inhabitants of the valleys are like water that is run away. Neither valley nor mountain can help thee, God wants to say.
20 See Amos 1:13; Zeph. 2:8. They were indeed of Lot’s offspring (therefore God had also spared them in the past), but afterwards they became most bitter enemies of God’s people, and as such were most severely punished.
21 Other, hidden, concealed places.
e Jer. 48:7.
22 That is, who would be so bold or so strong that he would dare to venture upon me. Compare Jer. 21:13.
f Jer. 21:13.
5Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those 23that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man 24right forth; and none shall 25gather up him that wandereth.
23 Or, from all places round about thee.
24 Hebr. before his face, that is, right forth abroad, disorderly, where he may only flee for himself.
25 That is, have pity on him, as to take him up or in, and to shelter him.
6And afterward I will 26bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.
26 As verse 39; Jer. 48:47.
7¶Concerning 27Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; 28Isg wisdom no more in 29Teman? is counsel perished from the 30prudent? is their wisdom 31vanished?
27 That is, the posterity of Esau.
28 Compare Obadiah verses 8 and 9.
g Obadiah verse 8.
29Teman and Dedan were two cities of the Edomites, situated on the mountains at the east end of the mountainous area of Esau, behind the south end of the Dead Sea, as some maps do show. Teman was Esau’s grandchild by Eliphaz, from whom no doubt this city had the name. See Gen. 36:10, 11.
30 Other, their children.
31 The Hebrew word signifies commonly to become excessive, superfluous, and redundant; and consequently to become unprofitable, vain, empty or unserviceable.
8Flee ye, turn back, 32dwell deep, O inhabitants of 33Dedan;h for I 34will bring the 35calamity of Esau upon him, the time 36that I will visit him.
32 Hebr. deepen yourselves to dwell, or by dwelling or abiding. Understand: to hide yourselves. Also verse 30.
33 See on the previous verse of a region in Arabia so called. See Gen. 25:3; Jer. 25:23. It may be that both the city in Edom and the land in Arabia have one origin, because they were situated not far from one another. Compare Jer. 25 on verse 23.
h Jer. 25:23.
34 That is, I will surely do it.
35 Or, ruin.
36 That is, the time of his visitation, as God elsewhere speaks, that is, of his punishment. See Gen. 21 on verse 1.
9Ifi37grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will 38destroy 39till they have enough.
i Obadiah verse 5.
37 Or, grape-cutters.
38 That is, have taken away or stolen from thee (compare Obadiah verse 5), which is commonly done with rifling and destroying of house and property.
39 Hebr. their sufficiency, leaving something (the Lord wants to say) or taking no more than they could conveniently bring away or carry along with them; but I will deal otherwise with him, making him bare and empty, that he shall have nothing remaining, as is shown in the following words.
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 40he is not.
40 Some connect these words to the next verse, with some addition, thus: he is not that should say: then the meaning of what follows is plain, namely, that there shall be none who shall have pity on his fatherless children or widows. Others conceive that God, in the following words, speaks in a deriding manner unto Esau, as if He said: Thou needest not to think that thy fatherless children and widows shall find favor with Me; if thou leavest them behind, I will consequently execute My judgments upon thy seed, and upon all who may be left of thee.
11Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
12For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose 41judgment was not to drink of the 42cup have 43assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall 44altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt 45surely drink of it.
41 That is, they who have not so deserved it as thou hast, namely, the godly among Mine own people. Compare Jer. 25:29, and see Deut. 19 on verse 6.
42 Of My wrath.
43 Hebr. drinking drink, that is, shall not go scot-free; they must be punished.
44 Hebr. being guiltless or being held guiltless, be held guiltless, that is, go somewhat unpunished. See 1 Kings 2 on verse 9; Jer. 25 on verse 29.
45 Hebr. drinking drink.
13For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that 46Bozrah shall become a 47desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all 48the cities thereof shall be 49perpetual wastes.
46 The capital city of the Edomites, often mentioned in Scripture.
47 Or, solitariness, astonishment, as Jer. 25:9, 18, etc.
48 Places that resort unto Bozrah.
49 Hebr. desolations of eternity.
14I have heard a 50rumourj from the LORD, and an 51ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against 52her, and rise up to the battle.
50 Or, report, tidings. Hebr. properly: heard an hearing. Compare Obadiah verses 1, 2 and 3, etc. From the LORD, that is, the Lord has revealed these tidings unto me, or which fame or rumor the Lord sent, raising up the king of Babel against Edom.
j Obadiah verse 1.
51 That is, I have ordered by My Divine Providence that they, as by an express charge and by My admonition, shall do as follows. Compare Jer. 25:9 with the annotation. Or, (as some) the king of Babel has sent forth an ambassador to stir up the nations against Edom, etc., which was thus ordered of God.
52 Bozrah or Edom; as all along here mention is made of these nations and lands, sometimes in the feminine and sometimes in the masculine gender. Compare Jer. 48 on verse 4.
15For, lo, I will 53make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
53 Hebr. given, appointed, that is, I have ordained that thou shalt be brought to such a miserable and despised condition, that thou shalt not be able to be compared with other nations.
16Thy 54terribleness hath 55deceived thee, and the pridek of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the 56rock, 57that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nestl as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.
54 Wherewith thou makest others afraid, to shake, quake and tremble before thee, in regard of thy pride and thy fearful mountainous land, unto which no one dared to approach.
55 For, thou hast relied thereon in vain.
k Jer. 48:29.
56 Hebr. rock, cliff, precipice.
57 Hebr. keepest the top of the hill.
l Obadiah verse 4.
17Also Edom shall be a 58desolation: everym one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall 59hiss at all the plagues thereof.
58 Other, astonishment.
m Jer. 50:13.
59 Or, whistle, pipe, jeer, etc. See Jer. 18:16.
18Asn in the 60overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the 61neighbour 62cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide 63there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
n Gen. 19:25; Jer. 50:40; Amos 4:11.
60 Compare Jer. 50:40.
61Admah and Zeboim and the places round about the entire region, which were situated near to them.
62 Namely, with Edom. This other branch of the comparison is inserted to supply and fill up the sense; as some also do in the beginning of the next verse.
63 In the land of the Edomites; which being subdued by the Babylonians shall thenceforth from time to time be so wasted and destroyed, that it shall at length become utterly desolate and uninhabited.
19Behold,o he shall come up like a 64lion from the swellingp of Jordan against the habitation of the 65strong: but I will 66suddenly make 67him run away 68from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may 69appoint over her? for who is like me? and whoq will 70appoint me the time? and who is that 71shepherd that will stand 72before me?
o Jer. 50:44, etc.
64 Who, leaving his usual resting place and roaring all the while in a rage, must get up speedily to the mountains, when the Jordan overflows on every side and chases the lions away from there. (See Jer. 12 on verse 5, and compare Zech. 11:3). Also shall the king of Babel with an incensed mind march to the mountain range of the Edomites. Or, as a lion getteth up higher because of the swelling of the Jordan, so shall he come up against, etc., all to one sense. Compare Jer. 50:44 of Cyrus’ arrival against Babel. Other (for, this place is diversely translated and expounded): as a lion shall he march from the proud or stout Jordan against, etc. That is, Nebuchadnezzar shall march against Edom, when he shall have subdued the land of the Jews, which the Edomites could not have imagined, but rejoiced at the miseries of Judah.
p Jer. 12:5.
65 Or, rough, hard, that is, the mountainous land of the Edomites. Other, pleasant habitations of the strong; meaning, that here is spoken of the bold attempts of the Edomites, who were more puffed up than the Jordan in their hostile marching against the people and house of God, but in vain and with a ridiculous result.
66 That is, in a moment, unawares; also is the Hebrew word taken Prov. 12:19. Other, when I shall have made him to rest, that is, after Edom shall have rested a long while, I will, etc.
67 Edom.
68 Or, from thence. Hebr. from her, that is, from the region or land of Idumea. See on verse 14. Also in the following words.
69 Or, give charge, commission, command, concerning her. Understand king Nebuchadnezzar, whom God therefore calls His servant. See Jer. 25:9. Other, he that is chosen, him, etc., that is, I shall not be wanting serviceable instruments, whom I may take from where I please, to curb and cut off that insolent Edom.
q Job 41:1; Jer. 50:44, 45.
70 Sue at law, or appoint Me the time or season to plead against him? Or, who shall limit and appoint Me measure and time in My works? See Job 9:19 with annotation.
71 That is, king, ruler or protector. Compare 2 Sam. 5:2; Jer. 6:3; 10:21; 12:10, etc.
72 Other, against, it is all to one sense, that is, what king or monarchy would be able to be My adversary?
20Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his 73purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of 74Teman: 75Surely the 76least of the flock shall draw 77them out: surely 78he shall make their habitations desolate 79with them.
73 That is, resolution, decree that He has made. Compare verse 30.
74 See on verse 7.
75 These are two abrupt sentences, very usual in making oaths. See Deut. 1 on verse 35.
76 The least of Nebuchadnezzar’s soldiers. Compare Jer. 6:3.
77 That is, raze their strongholds to the ground. Compare 2 Sam. 17:13. Or, drag their bodies along the ground, as Jer. 15:3; 22:19.
78 The enemy, or every one of them, or, If they, etc.
79 Or, upon them. As we use to say that a man’s house is pulled down or burnt down upon his head. Compare 1 Kings 16:18 with the annotation. Other, with them.
21The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the 80Red sea.
80 That is, the Reed sea. The sense is, that their cry shall be heard very far off; the Red sea was situated far from Edom in the south, by Egypt. Other thus, the sound of the cry was heard by the Red sea.
22Behold, he shall come up andr81fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the 82heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a womans in her pangs.
r Jer. 48:40.
81 As Jer. 48:40. Understand Nebuchadnezzar.
82 As Jer. 48:41.
s Jer. 48:41.
23¶Concerning 83Damascus.t84Hamath is confounded, and 85Arpad: for they have heard 86evil tidings: they are 87fainthearted; there is sorrow on the 88sea; it cannot be 89quiet.
83 See Gen. 14 on verse 15; 2 Sam. 8 on verse 5.
t Isa. 17:1.
84 See Num. 13 on verse 21; Num. 34 on verse 8.
85 This city is also named with Hamath, 2 Kings 18:34. See there.
86 As verse 14.
87 That is, become dismayed and dejected. See Deut. 1 on verse 28.
88 That is, with those who dwell by the seaside, called the sea of Syria and Phœnicia, at which Damascus and Hamath were not situated far away. Other, as he that is in trouble in the sea, and cannot rest.
89 Or, be still.
24Damascus is waxed 90feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and sorrows 91have taken her, as a woman in travail.u
90 Compare 2 Sam. 4 on verse 1.
91 Hebr. hath.
u Jer. 4:31; 6:24; 30:6.
2592How is the city 93of praise not left, the city 94of my joy!
92 These are the words of a person from Damascus or Syria, who is introduced thus lamenting, as if he said: Ah, this city was nevertheless to be left alone and spared by the enemy, etc.
93 Hebr. city of glory or praise. Compare Jer. 51:41.
94 That is, wherein I rejoiced.
2695Therefore her young men shall 96fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
95 In order that it may be certainly known that Damascus shall not be spared or left alone, and winked at.
96 Or, lie, being slain.
27And I will kindle a 97firev in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of 98Ben-hadad.
97 Of plagues and miseries, war and desolation. See Job 15 on verse 34.
v Amos 1:4, 14.
98 The mighty, famous king of Syria. See 1 Kings 15:18, 20; 20:1, etc. Understand the palaces of the kings of Syria; also Amos 1:4.
28 ¶ 99Concerning 100Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of 101Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall 102smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the 103east.
99 Or, of, against.
100 Mentioned in Jer. 2:10. See there.
101 Hebr. Chatsor. See Joshua 11:10, 11; 15:23, 25; 19:36; 1 Kings 9:15; 2 Kings 15:29. By comparing of the places, it appears that there were several cities by this name, both in the north and south of Canaan. But some conceive that here are meant the regions in desert Arabia, to which the Hazorites went to dwell after Joshua had burnt that city, and also Barak afterward had smitten Jabin; which harmonizes acceptably with the inclusion of Kedar, and of the children of the east. Compare Jer. 25:24.
102 As Jer. 46:2.
103 See Judges 6 on verse 3.
29Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, 104Fear is on every side.
104 As Jer. 6:25, and above in verse 5. Other, proclaim a terror round about against them.
30¶Flee, get you 105far off, 106dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken 107counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.
105 Hebr. speedily.
106 As verse 8.
107 Verse 20.
31Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth 108without care, saith the LORD, which have neither 109gates nor bars, which dwell alone.
108 That is, secure and careless.
109 For the reason that these Arabians dwelt in tents, and had no houses, and feared no enemy. See Judges 8:11 with the annotation, and compare Num. 23:9; Deut. 33:28; Micah 7:14.
32And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter 110into all winds them that are in the utmost 111corners;w and I will bring their calamity from all sides 112thereof, saith the LORD.
110 Hebr. every wind, that is, into all corners of the world. Also verse 36; Ezek. 5:10; 17:21, etc.
111 See Jer. 9 on verse 26.
w Jer. 9:26; 25:23.
112 Of Kedar or Hazor sides or passages.
33And Hazor shall be a 113dwellingx for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall 114no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.
113 As Jer. 9:11.
x Jer. 9:11; 10:22.
114 As verse 18.
34¶The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet 115against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
115 Or, of Elam, concerning Elam, that is, the Persians, or a certain people in Persia. See Isa. 21:2; Jer. 25:25.
35Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow 116of Elam, the 117chief of their might.
116 That is, of the Elamites; also in the sequel. Compare Isa. 22:6.
117 Or, the beginning, that is, wherein consist their most important forces, or whereby they have begun to be mighty, namely, that they were valiant archers. Some are of the opinion that they were therefore, with other nations, employed by Nebuchadnezzar in his army against Judah and Jerusalem, and have tyrannized God’s people very much, and that therefore this was prophesied against them; as they also served the Syrians, Ezek. 27:10. Yet when this prophecy was fulfilled, there are different opinions about it. Some conceive that it was done by the Scythian nations, about that time when Nebuchadnezzar was busy everywhere to subdue Judah and other nations, and consequently thereafter. See Ezek. 38 on verse 2. Others are of the opinion that it was fulfilled when Alexander the Great had conquered the king of Persia, and had brought the monarchy to himself, and consequently after his death. This is certain however, that they have experienced the truth of these prophecies in different ways.
36And upon Elam will I bring the 118four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will 119scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam 120shall not come.
118 That is, the enemies from every side.
119 As verse 32.
120 Hebr. shall, in the singular number, that is, there shall be everywhere some of their banished people.
37For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek 121their life: and I will bring 122evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, 123till I have consumed them:
121 Or, their soul, that is, who seek their lives; as often above. See Exod. 4 on verse 19; 2 Sam. 4 on verse 8.
122 Of punishment.
123 As Jer. 9:16; 14:12.
38And I will set my 124throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.
124 Of judgment, as the following words declare.
39¶But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will 125bring again the captivityy of Elam, saith the LORD.
125 See verse 6; Jer. 48 on verse 47, and compare Acts 2:9.
y Jer. 48:47.