Jeremiah 49:8
Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan! For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time when I punish him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse advises fleeing, turning back, and dwelling "deep," which isn't just about hiding, but about seeking the most hidden, inaccessible places. This imagery highlights the complete devastation coming, forcing even nomadic traders to abandon their routes and disappear into the earth's crevices to escape God's judgment on Esau's descendants.
Jeremiah is prophesying against the descendants of Esau, Edom, but this specific message also calls out the people of Dedan, who lived nearby and were connected to them. The prophet warns Dedan to flee and hide deep in the wilderness, as the same devastating judgment God is bringing on Esau (Edom) will soon overtake them. This echoes an earlier prophecy given by Isaiah, emphasizing that their proximity to Edom makes them vulnerable to the impending calamity.
Imagine a stark warning echoing through your town: 'Flee! Hide!' This verse isn't just about ancient peoples; it's a vivid picture of impending danger and God's clear instruction.
Jeremiah's message to the inhabitants of Dedan is incredibly direct and urgent. They are told to 'flee,' 'turn back,' and 'dwell deep.' This isn't gentle advice; it's a command born out of immediate threat.
Why does the prophet mention 'Esau' when speaking to Dedan? This connection reveals a deeper layer of divine justice and historical reckoning.
The phrase 'the calamity of Esau' is crucial. It signifies that the disaster facing Dedan is intrinsically linked to the judgment coming upon Edom, the descendants of Esau.
Understand the original words
'ed · Hebrew Noun
An intensive term for evil, disaster, or affliction, often sent by God as a result of judgment or as a means of correcting a nation.
paqad · Hebrew Verb
The act of God in executing justice or imposing penalty upon the wicked or rebellious; it is a manifestation of His holiness and righteousness.
The prophecy against Dedan highlights their close ties to Edom. As Babylon's power grew and Judah fell, Dedan, a trading people often associated with Edom, is warned to flee into the desert, escaping the coming Babylonian 'calamity' that God would bring upon Esau's descendants.
c. 1000 BC
Abraham's Descendants Settle
Abraham's descendants, including Dedan (son of Jokshan) and Esau (father of the Edomites), establish themselves in regions near Canaan. Dedan becomes associated with trade routes.
c. 8th Century BC
Assyrian Dominance
The Neo-Assyrian Empire rises to power, often exerting influence and control over the region, including areas near Edom and Dedan. This sets a precedent for larger empires impacting local peoples.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins his campaigns, deporting Judean elites. This marks the start of Babylonian ascendancy, which will directly impact Edom and its neighbors.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Edomite Involvement
Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. During this crisis, Edom (descendants of Esau) actively sides with the Babylonians, showing hostility towards Judah, which Jeremiah has prophesied against.
This passage speaks of Esau's descendants, the Edomites, living by the sword and eventually being brought low, directly linking to the 'calamity of Esau' that will be brought upon Dedan.
Ezekiel 25:13This verse provides a parallel prophecy of judgment against Edom, mentioning Dedan and Teman together, highlighting the shared fate of these peoples under God's judgment.
Isaiah 21:13-15This passage describes a similar flight and hiding from invaders for the Dedanites and other Arab peoples, echoing the urgency and nature of the 'dwelling deep' command in Jeremiah.
Hebrews 12:16-17This New Testament passage references Esau's 'godless' heart and his inability to find repentance, connecting the historical judgment on his descendants to a deeper spiritual condition.
barnesJeremiah 49:8: "Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him."
Dwell deep - Jeremiah 49:30 . The Dedanites, who were used to travel through the Edomite territory with their caravans, are advised to retire as far as possible into the Arabian deserts to be out of the way of the invaders.
gillJeremiah 49:8: "Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him."
Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan,.... Another city in Idumea; though some take it to be a country in Arabia, bordering on Edom, and subdued by the Edomites: the inhabitants of this place are advised to "flee" for their lives, since the enemy was just upon them; and "turn back", lest they should fall into his hands; and hid…
The verse advises fleeing, turning back, and dwelling "deep," which isn't just about hiding, but about seeking the most hidden, inaccessible places. This imagery highlights the complete devastation coming, forcing even nomadic traders to abandon their routes and disappear into the earth's crevices to escape God's judgment on Esau's descendants.
Jeremiah is prophesying against the descendants of Esau, Edom, but this specific message also calls out the people of Dedan, who lived nearby and were connected to them. The prophet warns Dedan to flee and hide deep in the wilderness, as the same devastating judgment God is bringing on Esau (Edom) will soon overtake them. This echoes an earlier prophecy given by Isaiah, emphasizing that their proximity to Edom makes them vulnerable to the impending calamity.
Jeremiah is prophesying against the descendants of Esau, Edom, but this specific message also calls out the people of Dedan, who lived nearby and were connected to them. The prophet warns Dedan to flee and hide deep in the wilderness, as the same devastating judgment God is bringing on Esau (Edom) will soon overtake them. This echoes an earlier prophecy given by Isaiah, emphasizing that their proximity to Edom makes them vulnerable to the impending calamity.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Jeremiah 49:8 is available in the Sola app.
c. 582 BC
Babylonian Campaigns in the Region
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar conducts further campaigns against surrounding nations, including Moab and Ammon, and likely Edom. This period of Babylonian military action directly threatens Dedan, which is closely allied with or subject to Edom.
"Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths, O inhabitants of Dedan! For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time when I punish him." — The verse advises fleeing, turning back, and dwelling "deep," which isn't just about hiding, but about seeking the most hidden, inaccessible places. This imagery highlights the complete devastation c…
