Jeremiah 49:28
Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck down. Thus says the LORD: “Rise up, advance against Kedar! Destroy the people of the east!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The prophecy isn't just about conquest; it's about God commissioning Nebuchadnezzar to "Arise, go up against Kedar!" This command isn't a suggestion; it's God's direct order, revealing that even destructive empires act as instruments of His will against those who may have been living in complacent ease or unchecked predation.
This passage pivots from previous prophecies to address Kedar and the regions of Hazor, noting that Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon will conquer them. The Lord then issues a direct command, calling on his enemies to rise up and attack Kedar, the nomadic peoples of the east, and pillage their possessions.
Who gives the order for armies to march and destroy? Sometimes, it’s not who you might expect. Notice how this prophecy begins.
This passage opens with a very specific identification: Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, targeted by Nebuchadnezzar.
A Divine Order
But the pivotal phrase here is "Thus says the LORD." It's God Himself who declares what will happen. He isn't just observing the actions of Nebuchadnezzar; He is commissioning them. This is a profound and often challenging concept in Scripture.
God uses human empires, even wicked ones like Babylon, as instruments to carry out His purposes. This doesn't mean He approves of their cruelty or that they are morally justified in their actions. Rather, it highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and events. Even when judgment falls, it is ultimately orchestrated by the Lord.
Who is Kedar?
Kedar was a prominent Arab tribe, descended from Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). They were known for their nomadic lifestyle and their prowess in raiding and trading. The 'kingdoms of Hazor' likely refer to settled Arab groups or a specific region inhabited by these tribes. They were known as the 'men of the east', a common biblical term for the peoples living east of the Jordan River and Palestine.
When an army is sent to 'spoil' a people, what are they after? This verse gives us a surprising glimpse into the priorities of the conquerors and the vulnerability of the conquered.
The command is to 'spoil the men of the east,' and the subsequent prophecies describe what this entails. It’s not just about conquering territory; it’s about plundering their possessions.
More Than Just Wealth
The text specifically mentions their tents, their flocks, and their camels. This paints a vivid picture of the nomadic lifestyle of the Kedarites. Their wealth wasn't in grand cities or accumulated treasures, but in the very essentials of their mobile existence: their animals for sustenance and transport, and their tents, their portable homes.
This prophecy against Kedar and Hazor shows that Nebuchadnezzar's might extended far beyond the traditional kingdoms of the Near East, reaching even the nomadic and settled tribes of Arabia, which were often seen as outside the main stage of biblical history.
c. 630 BC
Nebuchadnezzar begins his rise
Nebuchadnezzar becomes crown prince and commander of the Babylonian army, launching campaigns that would expand his father's empire.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar decisively defeats the Egyptians and Assyrians, establishing Babylonian dominance over the Levant and paving the way for his future conquests.
605-562 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Reign
Nebuchadnezzar rules as king of Babylon, a period marked by extensive military campaigns, building projects, and the subjugation of numerous nations.
Early 6th century BC— this verse
Babylonian Campaigns in Arabia
Nebuchadnezzar directs military actions against various Arab tribes, including the nomadic peoples of Kedar and the more settled groups in the region of Hazor.
This passage also prophesies against the Arabs of Kedar and Teman, highlighting their nomadic lifestyle and the judgment that would come upon them, mirroring the themes in Jeremiah 49.
Ezekiel 27:21This verse mentions Kedar in the context of Tyre's trade, specifically referencing their sheep and goats, which aligns with the spoils Nebuchadnezzar would take from the people of the east.
Psalm 120:5-7This psalm speaks of dwelling among the tents of Kedar, portraying them as symbols of a wild, unsettled existence, which resonates with the description of the people Nebuchadnezzar is commissioned to destroy and spoil.
Genesis 25:13This verse identifies Kedar as a son of Ishmael, providing the genealogical background for the people mentioned in Jeremiah's prophecy and explaining why they are referred to as 'the men of the east'.
clarkeJeremiah 49:28: "Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east."
Concerning Kedar, and Concerning the Kingdoms of Hazor - This is the title of another new prophecy. Kedar was the name of one of the sons of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13) who settled in Arabia, and who gave name to a powerful tribe of Arabs who used to traffic with the Tyrians in cattle. It appears fro…
gillJeremiah 49:28: "Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east."
Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor,.... A new prophecy concerning the Arabians; for Kedar was a son of Ishmael, Genesis 25:13 ; whose posterity inhabited Arabia Petraea. Hazor was Petra itself, the metropolis of the country, whose king had several petty kings and kingdoms unde…
The prophecy isn't just about conquest; it's about God commissioning Nebuchadnezzar to "Arise, go up against Kedar!" This command isn't a suggestion; it's God's direct order, revealing that even destructive empires act as instruments of His will against those who may have been living in complacent ease or unchecked predation.
This passage pivots from previous prophecies to address Kedar and the regions of Hazor, noting that Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon will conquer them. The Lord then issues a direct command, calling on his enemies to rise up and attack Kedar, the nomadic peoples of the east, and pillage their possessions.
This passage pivots from previous prophecies to address Kedar and the regions of Hazor, noting that Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon will conquer them. The Lord then issues a direct command, calling on his enemies to rise up and attack Kedar, the nomadic peoples of the east, and pillage their possessions.
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Divine Judgment on Lifestyle?
This focus on tents and livestock might also hint at a judgment on their way of life, which often involved raiding and preying on others (as mentioned in commentary notes about their predatory life). While God commissions the action, the nature of the 'spoil' highlights the fragility of a life dependent on mobile resources that can be so easily stripped away by a powerful invading force.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling many Judeans to Babylon. This event is part of a broader pattern of Babylonian expansion and control.
"Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck down.
Thus says the LORD:
“Rise up, advance against Kedar!
Destroy the people of the east!" — The prophecy isn't just about conquest; it's about God commissioning Nebuchadnezzar to "Arise, go up against Kedar!" This command isn't a suggestion; it's God's direct order, revealing that even dest…