Jeremiah 49:18
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The chilling emphasis isn't just on destruction, but on the utter impossibility of habitation for any human being, mirroring the desolation of Sodom and Gomorrah so completely that no one, not even a traveler passing through, will find a place to dwell. This paints a picture of absolute ruin, not just a defeat in battle.
As when Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities were overthrown, says the LORD, no man shall dwell there, no man shall sojourn in her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes in the middle of Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom, a nation with a long history of hostility toward Israel. The prophet declares that Edom's cities will be utterly destroyed and become uninhabitable, just like the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This devastating judgment is a consequence of Edom's unrepentant cruelty and pride, leading to a complete desolation that will make it impossible for any of its people to return and dwell there.
Jeremiah invokes a name synonymous with ultimate destruction. Why this specific comparison, and what does it tell us about God's judgment?
When God speaks through Jeremiah about the fate of Edom, He doesn't just describe a military defeat. He calls to mind the utter destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and their surrounding cities.
A Proverbial Ruin
This wasn't just any destruction; it was a catastrophic event so complete that the names of these cities became a byword for total desolation. When Jeremiah refers to them, he's tapping into a deep, shared understanding of divine wrath and irreversible ruin. The mention of neighboring cities like Admah and Zeboim emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this judgment. It wasn't an isolated incident but a widespread devastation, painting a picture of complete obliteration.
More Than Just Fire and Brimstone
While the imagery is stark, the point isn't necessarily about the method of destruction (fire and brimstone), but the result: absolute emptiness. It's a judgment so severe that the land becomes permanently uninhabitable, a place where no one can return to live. This comparison makes the judgment against Edom exceptionally profound, signaling a finality and a complete removal from the land.
The verse emphasizes that 'no man shall dwell there.' What does this absolute emptiness signify about the nature of God's judgment on Edom?
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The core message here is about complete and irreversible desolation. The repetition of 'no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it' isn't just poetic flourish; it underscores the severity and finality of the judgment proclaimed against Edom.
The End of Dwelling
This means the land will be so thoroughly devastated that it cannot sustain human habitation. It's not a temporary exile or a period of suffering that will eventually end with return. Instead, it signifies a permanent removal. The very essence of the land as a place of dwelling, of 'abiding,' is nullified.
A Warning for Us
This profound emptiness serves as a powerful symbol. It implies that the consequences of defying God and His people are so extreme that they can lead to a complete loss of place, purpose, and future in the land. It’s a stark reminder that while God’s mercy is vast, His justice is also absolute when confronted with persistent rebellion.
Understand the original words
ʿĂmōrāh · Hebrew Proper Noun
An ancient city associated with Sodom, destroyed by God due to its extreme wickedness, serving as a permanent biblical archetype for divine judgment and total destruction.
gûr · Hebrew Verb
To dwell as a temporary resident or stranger; one who lives in a place without having permanent rights or citizenship, highlighting a lack of stability.
Jeremiah uses the ancient, proverbial destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a terrifying parallel to the impending doom of Edom, emphasizing the complete desolation awaiting them for their cruelty and pride, especially during Judah's time of vulnerability.
~2000 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
The cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim are destroyed by divine judgment, becoming a stark example of utter desolation and divine wrath.
14th-13th centuries BC
Israel's Exodus and Conquest
Following their liberation from Egypt, the Israelites eventually settle in the land of Canaan, bordering the territories of Edom.
c. 9th century BC
Rise of Edomite Kingdoms
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, establish their own kingdoms and exert influence in the region south of the Dead Sea.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Dominance
The Neo-Assyrian Empire expands its reach, often incorporating Edom into its vast dominion and influencing regional politics.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon begins its campaigns against Judah, initiating a series of deportations that weaken the kingdom.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Exile
Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians, and the majority of the Judean population is exiled. This marks a period of intense suffering and judgment for Judah.
Post-exilic Period
Edomite Encroachment
During and after the Babylonian exile, Edomites expand into southern Judah, leading to significant conflict and resentment with the returning Jewish exiles.
This passage describes the cataclysmic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, providing the direct historical event that Jeremiah uses as a parallel for Edom's desolation.
Deuteronomy 29:23This verse explicitly links the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with their neighboring cities (Admah and Zeboim), mirroring Jeremiah's mention and emphasizing the totality of the ruin.
Isaiah 13:19Similar to Jeremiah, Isaiah uses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a vivid image of utter desolation and uninhabitable ruin.
Amos 4:11Amos also draws a parallel between God's judgment on the nations and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting the theme of divine overthrow.
Jeremiah 50:40This verse repeats Jeremiah 49:18 almost verbatim, reinforcing the prophetic message of Edom's complete destruction and its comparison to the fate of those infamous cities.
clarkeJeremiah 49:18: "As 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."
As in the overthrow of Sodom - The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring cities was so terrible, that, when God denounces judgments against incorrigible sinners, he tells them they shall be like Sodom and Gomorrah. No man shall abide there - It shall be so desolate as not to be habitable. Travellers may lo…
gillJeremiah 49:18: "As 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."
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah,.... Which was so sudden and general, that nothing was left, or any spared; so should it be with Edom: and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord; the cities that were in the plain, Admah and Zeboim: no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it; that is,…
The chilling emphasis isn't just on destruction, but on the utter impossibility of habitation for any human being, mirroring the desolation of Sodom and Gomorrah so completely that no one, not even a traveler passing through, will find a place to dwell. This paints a picture of absolute ruin, not just a defeat in battle.
This verse comes in the middle of Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom, a nation with a long history of hostility toward Israel. The prophet declares that Edom's cities will be utterly destroyed and become uninhabitable, just like the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This devastating judgment is a consequence of Edom's unrepentant cruelty and pride, leading to a complete desolation that will make it impossible for any of its people to return and dwell there.
This verse comes in the middle of Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom, a nation with a long history of hostility toward Israel. The prophet declares that Edom's cities will be utterly destroyed and become uninhabitable, just like the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This devastating judgment is a consequence of Edom's unrepentant cruelty and pride, leading to a complete desolation that will make it impossible for any of its people to return and dwell there.
"As when Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities were overthrown, says the LORD, no man shall dwell there, no man shall sojourn in her." — The chilling emphasis isn't just on destruction, but on the utter impossibility of habitation for any human being, mirroring the desolation of Sodom and Gomorrah so completely that no one, not ev…
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Last reviewed October 2026
