View Jeremiah 49 in the note window.
The judgment of the Ammonites, ver. 1 - 5.
Their restoration, ver. 6.
The judgment of Edom, ver. 7 - 22.
Of Damascus, ver. 23 - 27.
Of Kedar, and Hazor, ver. 28 - 33.
Of Elam, and its restoration, ver. 34 - 39.
1: No heir - During the long tract of time that there were wars
between the Jews and Ammonites, the land of Gad and Reuben
which lay beyond Jordan, fell into the hands of the Syrians,
Moabites, and Ammonites. Hence it is that the prophet saith,
Hath Israel no sons? God had given that country of Gilead to
Manasseh, Reuben, and Gad; and as mens estates ought to descend to
their heirs, so this land should have descended to their posterity,
but the Ammonites had taken and possessed it.
3: Ai - A city of the Ammonites, not the same mentioned,(Jos 7:2),
for that was on the other side Jordan.
By the hedges - Where they might be hidden, and not so easily seen.
4: Flowing - Either flowing with water, or plenty of corn and grass.
5: Right forth - So that you shall be glad to flee, and never look
back. Gather up - None will receive or entertain you.
6: I will bring - Probably this refers to the conversion of the
Ammonites, as well as other Heathens, to Christ.
7: Edom - The Edomites were the posterity of Esau the eldest
son of Isaac, but disinherited; the blessing being given to his
younger brother Jacob, who was head of the twelve tribes of Israel.
God promised him that he should have a fat, and plentiful country,
tho' his brother should be his lord; and foretold, that he should
break his brother's yoke from off his neck: the land of Seir was
his country. The Edomites coasted southward upon Canaan, the
Israelites passed by their coasts to go into Canaan, their way lay
thro' Edom, but their king refusing to suffer them to go through,
God ordered them to go another way. Balaam prophesied their ruin.
They were enemies to the Israelites in the time of Saul,(1Sa 14:47),
and David, (2Sa 8:14),
and Amaziah, (2Ki 14:17),
who slew of them ten thousand, and took Selah, calling it Jokteel.
Many of the prophets foretold their ruin, Jeremiah in this place,(Eze 25:12-14,Joe 3:19,Am 9:11,12),
and others. Teman - Was a city of Edom.
8: Dedan - Was a city of Arabia joining to Idumea,(Isa 21:13),
they being neighbours to the Edomites are called to flee, and to
get into caves, where they might dwell deep in the earth and be
in some security.
9: If - Edom shall be totally destroyed; their destruction should
not be like the gleaning of grapes, where the gatherers content themselves
with taking the principal clusters: nor yet like the robbings of thieves,
who take for their hunger, and when they have got enough leave the rest.
12: They - The Jews, who in comparison with others did not
deserve to drink of the cup, yet have drank of it, and can you
think to escape? When an Israelite hath not escaped the justice
of God, an Edomite must not expect it.
13: Bozrah - Edom is expressed under the name of Bozrah,
(a part for the whole) Bozrah being its principal city.
14: An ambassador - He speaks after the manner of earthly princes,
who use to send their ambassadors to other princes to declare their
minds to them. God hath inclined them to come against Edom.
19: Behold - The Edomites shall come up fiercely against
Nebuchadrezzar, but will suddenly flee, yea even from their own country.
Appoint - Into whose hands shall I give that country. For who - For I
can do whatsoever I please. Will appoint - And who will appoint me a time
to plead with men? Who is - Where is that king or potentate that will
stand before me?
20: Teman - Edom and Teman signify the same thing.
The least - The least of Nebuchadrezzar's forces shall
drag them out of their lurking places.
23: Damascus - Being the head of this country, is put for the
whole country. Hamath - Hamath and Arpad were two cities also of
Syria. On the sea - Their inhabitants that live near the sea shall
be troubled.
25: Of my joy - A city of great renown. The king of Syria is
here supposed to speak.
27: Ben - hadad - Was the common name of the kings of Syria.
28: Kedar - Was one of the sons of Ishmael, whose posterity
inhabited part of Arabia Petraea. Hazor was the head city to
several kingdoms in Joshua's time.
29: They - The Chaldeans.
30: Flee - These seem to be the prophet's words.
31: Arise - The result of Nebuchadrezzar's counsels, giving charge
to his armies to march against the Kedarens, who lived at ease and
took no care, nor had any neighbours that could assist them.
34: Against Elam - Probably the Persians.
38: My throne - God calls the throne of Cyrus or Alexander his
throne; because he gave it the conqueror.
39: But - We had the like promise as to Moab, (Jer 48:47),
and as to Ammon, ver.(Jer 49:6), the same latter days either signify
after many days, or in the time of the Messiah. In the former
sense it may refer to Cyrus, who conquered Persia. In the latter
sense it refers to the spiritual liberty which some of these poor
Heathens were brought into by the gospel. We read (Ac 2:9),
that some of the Elamites were at Jerusalem at pentecost, and were
some of those converted to Christ.
