Jeremiah 49:20
Therefore hear the plan that the LORD has made against Edom and the purposes that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman: Even the little ones of the flock shall be dragged away. Surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse uses a powerful, almost casual, comparison: the "least of the flock" will be enough to overwhelm Edom. This isn't about military might, but about how utterly God will humiliate them, suggesting that even the weakest enemy soldier will be more than a match for them, leaving their homes a desolate scene of terror.
Jeremiah has just declared impending judgment on the Ammonites, and now turns his attention to Edom, specifically its people in the region of Teman. This passage asserts that God has a settled plan and purpose against them, one so inevitable that even the weakest enemy soldier will be enough to overcome the Edomites. The verse culminates by emphasizing the utter devastation that will come upon their homes and land as a result of this divine judgment.
Understand the original words
ʿēṣāh · Hebrew Noun
The sovereign, eternal, and irreversible intentions or counsel of God regarding history, nations, and salvation.
Têmān · Hebrew Proper Noun
A region or major city within Edom, frequently used as a synecdoche to represent the entire nation of Edom in prophetic oracles.
Jeremiah's prophecy against Edom in chapter 49 is deeply intertwined with the Babylonian conquest of Judah. The Edomites' alleged mistreatment of their Judean neighbors during Jerusalem's fall led to a divine judgment being pronounced against them, to be carried out by the very empire that had oppressed Judah.
c. 840 BC
Reign of King Jehoram of Judah
During Jehoram's reign, Edom revolted from Judah and set up their own king, establishing their independence. This event marks a long-standing tension between Edom and Judah.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Expansion and Influence
The Neo-Assyrian Empire exerted significant military and political pressure throughout the region. While not directly targeting Edom at this specific time, this period of imperial dominance created a volatile geopolitical landscape.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportations
Nebuchadnezzar's initial campaigns into Judah resulted in the first wave of exiles to Babylon, including members of the Judean royal family. This demonstrated Babylon's growing power.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and deported the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. Edom's complicity in this event drew Jeremiah's condemnation.
This passage describes God's judgment against Edom for their perpetual hatred and violence against Israel, mirroring the divine counsel and purposes mentioned in Jeremiah 49:20.
Obadiah 1:1-18The prophet Obadiah delivers a prophecy of judgment specifically against Edom for their actions against Judah during Jerusalem's fall, reinforcing the theme of divine retribution for Edom's cruelty.
Isaiah 34:5-17This chapter details God's fierce judgment on all nations, with a specific focus on Edom, describing its desolation and the utter destruction of its inhabitants and land, which aligns with the fate prophesied in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 50:44-45Remarkably, this section directly repeats the prophecy against Edom, but applies it to Babylon, showing how God's judgment principles and the imagery of overwhelming conquest can be applied to different nations who oppose His will.
calvinJeremiah 49:20: "Therefore 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."
- Therefore 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 t…
gillJeremiah 49:20: "Therefore 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."
Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord that he hath taken against Edom,.... The decree of the Lord; the purpose and resolution he had taken up in his heart against the Idumeans, which was wisely formed, and upon just and goo…
The verse uses a powerful, almost casual, comparison: the "least of the flock" will be enough to overwhelm Edom. This isn't about military might, but about how utterly God will humiliate them, suggesting that even the weakest enemy soldier will be more than a match for them, leaving their homes a desolate scene of terror.
Jeremiah has just declared impending judgment on the Ammonites, and now turns his attention to Edom, specifically its people in the region of Teman. This passage asserts that God has a settled plan and purpose against them, one so inevitable that even the weakest enemy soldier will be enough to overcome the Edomites. The verse culminates by emphasizing the utter devastation that will come upon their homes and land as a result of this divine judgment.
Jeremiah has just declared impending judgment on the Ammonites, and now turns his attention to Edom, specifically its people in the region of Teman. This passage asserts that God has a settled plan and purpose against them, one so inevitable that even the weakest enemy soldier will be enough to overcome the Edomites. The verse culminates by emphasizing the utter devastation that will come upon their homes and land as a result of this divine judgment.
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c. 582 BC
Further Babylonian Campaigns
Following the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar conducted further campaigns against surrounding nations, including Edom, Moab, and Ammon, solidifying Babylonian dominance.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, overthrew the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This marked a shift in regional power, eventually leading to the return of Jewish exiles.
"Therefore hear the plan that the LORD has made against Edom and the purposes that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman: Even the little ones of the flock shall be dragged away. Surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate." — The verse uses a powerful, almost casual, comparison: the "least of the flock" will be enough to overwhelm Edom. This isn't about military might, but about how utterly God will humiliate them, sugges…
