For behold, I will make you small among the nations, despised among mankind.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah 49:15
What does Jeremiah 49:15 mean?
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Jeremiah 49:15
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This prophecy isn't just about being defeated; it's about losing all influence. God declares He will make Edom so diminished that they will be insignificant among all the nations, not even worthy of notice. Their historical pride and wisdom will evaporate, leaving them utterly contemptible in the eyes of the world.
For behold, I will make you small among the nations, despised among mankind.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom, a nation that had a long history of animosity towards Israel. After detailing the riches and perceived security of Edom, God declares that He will diminish their influence and make them an object of scorn among other nations. This judgment is a consequence of their pride and their past mistreatment of God's people, ultimately leading to their downfall and insignificance.
Ever feel like nations rise and fall without reason? Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom reveals a divine hand orchestrating even earthly power.
Jeremiah declares, "I will make you small among the nations, despised among mankind." This isn't just a prediction of political defeat; it's a statement of God's absolute authority over the rise and fall of kingdoms.
Sovereignty Over Powers
What happens when a nation, once proud and influential, becomes the object of scorn? Edom's story is a stark warning.
The prophecy isn't just about becoming "small" but also "despised." This speaks directly to the fate of pride and arrogance when confronted by God's justice.
From Esteem to Contempt
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Understand the original words
qaton · Hebrew Adjective
The loss of prestige, power, or standing; specifically, the reduction of a nation’s influence and size as a direct result of divine judgment or historical defeat.
bazah · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Treated with contempt, loathing, or disregard; a state of being held in low esteem by others, often following a fall from grace or divine humbling.
This prophecy against Edom, recorded by Jeremiah, follows centuries of conflict and animosity between Edom and Israel, culminating in Edom's cruel behavior during Jerusalem's fall. God's judgment promises to reduce Edom from a regional power to a small, despised nation, a stark reversal of their historical pride and actions.
c. 1000 BC
David Subjugates Edom
King David, with the help of General Joab, conquered the Edomites, establishing Israelite dominance over them.
c. 840 BC
Edom Rebels Against Judah
Edom revolted from Judah's rule during the reign of King Jehoram, reasserting their independence.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Campaigns Affect Edom
Assyrian military campaigns, particularly under Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, likely impacted Edom's regional standing and independence.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem; Edom's Cruelty
During the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, Edomites acted with extreme cruelty against fleeing Judeans, earning God's strong condemnation.
c. 550 BC
Edomite Expansion into Southern Judah
Following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, Edomites expanded their territory northward into former Judean lands, further dispossessing the exiled people.
c. 312 BC
Nabateans Displace Edomites
The Nabatean Arabs gradually pushed the Edomites out of their ancestral lands in the rocky terrain of southern Jordan.
This passage directly parallels Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom, stating, 'Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised.' It echoes the theme of divine judgment leading to a loss of national stature and respect.
Lamentations 4:21Speaking of Edom's pride and impending doom, this verse says, 'Be joyful and glad, O daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz; but the cup shall pass to you also; you shall become drunk and be stripped bare.' This highlights the theme of pride leading to humiliation and a fall from a position of perceived strength or security.
Ezekiel 25:12This verse, addressing judgment against Edom, states, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah and incurred grievous guilt by doing so, thus says the Lord GOD, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it a desolation...' This reinforces the idea that vengeful actions lead to a complete undoing and a despised state.
Psalm 137:7This Psalm, reflecting on Israel's exile, cries out, 'Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem’s fall, how they said, “Tear it down; tear it down to its very foundations!”' This shows the historical animosity and the eventual divine reckoning for Edom's cruel behavior, which would lead to their own low estate.
barnesJeremiah 49:15: "For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men."
Small ... - Rather, small among the nations, i. e., of no political importance.
gillJeremiah 49:15: "For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men."
For, lo, I will make thee small among the Heathen,.... Or, "I have given thee", or "made thee" (m); as if it respected what Edom was at first, a people few in number, and their country not large, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi, and after them Abarbinel: but it rather intends what Edom should be (n); and which was the reason of gathering the Chaldeans against them, to reduce their number, weaken their strength,…
This prophecy isn't just about being defeated; it's about losing all influence. God declares He will make Edom so diminished that they will be insignificant among all the nations, not even worthy of notice. Their historical pride and wisdom will evaporate, leaving them utterly contemptible in the eyes of the world.
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom, a nation that had a long history of animosity towards Israel. After detailing the riches and perceived security of Edom, God declares that He will diminish their influence and make them an object of scorn among other nations. This judgment is a consequence of their pride and their past mistreatment of God's people, ultimately leading to their downfall and insignificance.
This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom, a nation that had a long history of animosity towards Israel. After detailing the riches and perceived security of Edom, God declares that He will diminish their influence and make them an object of scorn among other nations. This judgment is a consequence of their pride and their past mistreatment of God's people, ultimately leading to their downfall and insignificance.
"For behold, I will make you small among the nations, despised among mankind." — This prophecy isn't just about being defeated; it's about losing all influence. God declares He will make Edom so diminished that they will be insignificant among all the nations, not even worthy o…
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Last reviewed October 2026