And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah 49:27
What does Jeremiah 49:27 mean?
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Jeremiah 49:27
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The verse highlights a divine judgment specifically targeting "the palaces of Ben-hadad," emphasizing that this isn't just random destruction, but a targeted strike against the seats of power and pride of Syria's kings. This detail reveals that the destruction of Damascus is deeply personal for God, aimed at the very symbols of the rulers who oppressed His people.
And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger prophecy against various nations, including Damascus, the capital of Syria. Jeremiah is announcing God's judgment on Damascus for its past cruelties and aggressions against Israel. The prophecy foretells a complete destruction of the city, including its royal palaces, implying the downfall of its ruling dynasty, symbolized by the name Ben-hadad.
Imagine a fire so fierce it doesn't just burn homes, but the very seat of power. This verse speaks of a judgment that targets the symbols of pride and authority.
Jeremiah declares God's judgment will 'kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus' and 'devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.' This isn't just random destruction; it's a targeted judgment.
The Target: Palaces of Power
The "palaces of Ben-hadad" point to the royal residences and centers of power in Damascus. Ben-hadad was a common name for Syrian kings, signifying their dynasty and authority. God's judgment is aimed directly at the heart of their kingdom, the places that represented their pride, wealth, and control.
God's Sovereign Hand
The phrase "I will kindle a fire" emphasizes that this destruction isn't a mere historical accident. It's an act of God. He is the one initiating this judgment, using human instruments (like Nebuchadnezzar, as implied by the broader context of Jeremiah's prophecies) to carry it out. This shows God's ultimate authority over even the most powerful nations.
The name 'Ben-hadad' pops up frequently in the Bible, and it wasn't just a personal name. What does this recurring name tell us about the kingdom of Damascus and God's view of it?
The name "Ben-hadad" itself carries significant meaning. Scholars suggest it likely means "son of Hadad," referring to Hadad, a prominent Syrian idol. This detail is crucial:
Worship of Idols
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When the prophets mention "Ben-hadad," they are often referencing a dynasty of kings who were tied to the worship of this idol. Damascus was a center of pagan worship, and its kings were, in a sense, representatives of that system.
Judgment on Idolatry
God's judgment, therefore, is not only against the political power of Damascus but also against its idolatry and the system it represented. The destruction of the "palaces of Ben-hadad" signifies the dismantling of a kingdom built on false gods and human might, rather than on the Lord.
Understand the original words
'esh · Hebrew Noun
An instrument of divine judgment, purification, or consumption. In scripture, it frequently symbolizes God's wrath, holiness, or the presence of the Spirit of God.
chomah · Hebrew Noun
A defensive or protective barrier, often representing the strength of a city's security. Metaphorically, walls can symbolize boundaries, protection, or the pride of human defense.
armown · Hebrew Noun
Fortified places or castles that represent security, reliance on military power, and the seat of authority for kings. They symbolize the structures in which people trust for their protection apart from God.
Jeremiah's prophecy against Damascus, part of a broader oracle against surrounding nations, was delivered in the context of the rising Babylonian empire. It foreshadows the destruction of Damascus by Nebuchadnezzar II, a powerful conqueror who had already demonstrated his might by destroying Jerusalem and initiating the Babylonian exile.
c. 853 BC
Syrian King Ben-Hadad II Wars with Israel
The first historically attested king of Syria named Ben-Hadad (meaning 'son of Hadad') engages in conflict with the Northern Kingdom of Israel under King Ahab.
c. 842 BC
Syrian King Ben-Hadad III Fails to Capture Samaria
A later king, also named Ben-Hadad (likely Ben-Hadad III), unsuccessfully besieges Samaria, and is later killed by Hazael.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Damascus
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under Tiglath-Pileser III, conquers Damascus and annexes the surrounding region, ending Aramean independence.
c. 605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon decisively defeats the Egyptian and remnant Assyrian forces, establishing Babylonian dominance over Syria and Palestine.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and exiles much of the Judean population to Babylon. This event sets the stage for Jeremiah's prophecies concerning foreign nations.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ending the Babylonian Empire and ushering in a new era for the region, though Damascus and other cities eventually fall under Persian control.
This passage also prophesies fire and destruction upon Damascus, specifically mentioning the 'palaces of Ben-hadad', directly echoing Jeremiah's judgment.
2 Kings 8:7-15This narrative shows a king of Syria named Ben-hadad, illustrating the historical significance of this royal name associated with Damascus and its ruling dynasty.
Jeremiah 51:57This verse describes a similar judgment of fire and destruction upon Babylon, highlighting God's power to bring ruin upon powerful nations and their rulers.
Isaiah 17:1-3This prophecy foretells the devastation of Damascus, describing it as a 'ruined heap' and a city that will 'cease to be a city', reinforcing the theme of total destruction.
clarkeJeremiah 49:27: "And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad."
The palaces of Ben-hadad - Damascus was a seat of the Syrian kings, and Ben-hadad was a name common to several of its kings.
gillJeremiah 49:27: "And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad."
And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus,.... Signifying either that, a breach being made there the destruction of the city should begin, and be carried on until it was completed; or it may be understood literally, that first the houses built upon the wall should beset on fire by the Chaldeans, through the divine permission, and according to his order and wilt, and therefore…
The verse highlights a divine judgment specifically targeting "the palaces of Ben-hadad," emphasizing that this isn't just random destruction, but a targeted strike against the seats of power and pride of Syria's kings. This detail reveals that the destruction of Damascus is deeply personal for God, aimed at the very symbols of the rulers who oppressed His people.
This verse is part of a larger prophecy against various nations, including Damascus, the capital of Syria. Jeremiah is announcing God's judgment on Damascus for its past cruelties and aggressions against Israel. The prophecy foretells a complete destruction of the city, including its royal palaces, implying the downfall of its ruling dynasty, symbolized by the name Ben-hadad.
This verse is part of a larger prophecy against various nations, including Damascus, the capital of Syria. Jeremiah is announcing God's judgment on Damascus for its past cruelties and aggressions against Israel. The prophecy foretells a complete destruction of the city, including its royal palaces, implying the downfall of its ruling dynasty, symbolized by the name Ben-hadad.
"And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad.”" — The verse highlights a divine judgment specifically targeting "the palaces of Ben-hadad," emphasizing that this isn't just random destruction, but a targeted strike against the seats of power and pri…
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Last reviewed October 2026