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Judgment on Elam
This prophecy speaks about Elam and shows Yahweh announcing both judgment and a later change. The passage uses strong images to describe lost strength, scattering, fear, and rule, then ends with a final word of restoration.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage begins by identifying itself as Yahweh’s word to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, given at the beginning of Zedekiah’s reign in Judah. The verses stay focused on what Yahweh says he will do to Elam, ending with a promise about the latter days.
Jeremiah 49:34–39Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh speaks judgment against Elam in decisive ways, yet the final word also includes a future reversal of captivity.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A word about ElamThe passage first identifies its source and subject. It is Yahweh’s word that came to Jeremiah the prophet, and it concerns Elam.
Explanation
The passage first identifies its source and subject. It is Yahweh’s word that came to Jeremiah the prophet, and it concerns Elam. The opening also places the prophecy at the beginning of Zedekiah’s reign in Judah. This gives the message a clear speaker, messenger, and audience within the text itself.
02Elam’s strength will be brokenYahweh of Armies says he will break the bow of Elam, called the chief of their might. The bow stands for power and military strength in this prophecy.
Explanation
Yahweh of Armies says he will break the bow of Elam, called the chief of their might. The bow stands for power and military strength in this prophecy. The point is not merely damage, but the removal of what made Elam strong and confident.
03Scattered in every directionThe next image is the four winds from the four quarters of the sky. Yahweh says he will scatter Elam toward all those winds, so widely that there will be no nation where Elam’s outcasts do not come.
Explanation
The next image is the four winds from the four quarters of the sky. Yahweh says he will scatter Elam toward all those winds, so widely that there will be no nation where Elam’s outcasts do not come. The language shows widespread dispersal and exile-like loss.
04Fear, the sword, and Yahweh’s throneYahweh says Elam will be dismayed before enemies and those who seek their life. He also says he will send the sword until he has consumed them.
Explanation
Yahweh says Elam will be dismayed before enemies and those who seek their life. He also says he will send the sword until he has consumed them. Then he declares, “I will set my throne in Elam”, followed by the destruction of king and princes. The prophecy presents Yahweh’s rule over rulers and nations.
05A later reversalThe final verse begins with “But”, marking a change after judgment. In the latter days, Yahweh says he will reverse the captivity of Elam.
Explanation
The final verse begins with “But”, marking a change after judgment. In the latter days, Yahweh says he will reverse the captivity of Elam. The passage does not explain all the details, but it clearly ends with hope spoken by the same Yahweh who announced judgment.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does “the bow of Elam” seem to represent in this prophecy?
Look at the phrase “the chief of their might” to see how the bow functions in the passage.
02How does the prophecy describe the extent of Elam’s scattering?
Notice both the “four winds” image and the statement that there will be no nation without Elam’s outcasts.
03How does the last verse change the tone of the passage?
Compare the words of consuming judgment with the later promise to reverse captivity.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 49:34–39
34Yahweh’s word that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
35“Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
36I will bring on Elam the four winds from the four quarters of the sky, and will scatter them toward all those winds. There will be no nation where the outcasts of Elam will not come.
37I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before those who seek their life. I will bring evil on them, even my fierce anger,’ says Yahweh; ‘and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them.
38I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from there king and princes,’ says Yahweh.
39‘But it will happen in the latter days that I will reverse the captivity of Elam,’ says Yahweh.”