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Judgment on Kedar and Hazor
Jeremiah 49:28–33 is a prophecy about Kedar and Hazor. It speaks of attack, loss, scattering, and lasting desolation, while repeating that Yahweh is the one speaking and that Nebuchadnezzar has planned against them.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage is presented as an oracle concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor. It names Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon as the one who struck and planned against them, while the repeated phrase “says Yahweh” keeps the focus on God’s announced judgement in these verses.
Jeremiah 49:28–33Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh declares judgement on Kedar and Hazor, describing their loss, fear, scattering, and desolation.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A word against Kedar and HazorThe passage begins by naming Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor. It also names Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon as the ruler connected with this attack.
Explanation
The passage begins by naming Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor. It also names Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon as the ruler connected with this attack. The command to “Arise” and “go up” shows that this is a prophetic announcement of judgement, not a story being acted out in these verses.
02Loss and terrorThe prophecy describes what will be taken: tents, flocks, curtains, vessels, and camels. These details show how complete the loss will be for people whose life is closely tied to these possessions.
Explanation
The prophecy describes what will be taken: tents, flocks, curtains, vessels, and camels. These details show how complete the loss will be for people whose life is closely tied to these possessions. The cry, “Terror on every side!” sums up the fear that will surround them.
03A plan against HazorHazor is told to flee, wander far away, and dwell in the depths. The reason given is clear: Nebuchadnezzar has taken counsel and conceived a purpose against them.
Explanation
Hazor is told to flee, wander far away, and dwell in the depths. The reason given is clear: Nebuchadnezzar has taken counsel and conceived a purpose against them. The passage also describes the nation as living at ease, without gates or bars, and dwelling alone, which highlights its vulnerability.
04Scattering and desolationThe final verses describe plunder, scattering “to all winds,” calamity from every side, and a land left desolate.
Explanation
The final verses describe plunder, scattering “to all winds,” calamity from every side, and a land left desolate. Hazor will become a dwelling place of jackals, with no human inhabitant. The language moves from lost property and fear to a picture of emptied, ruined habitation.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What things does the prophecy say will be taken from the people?
List the items named in the verse and notice how ordinary possessions help show the scale of the loss.
02Why are the inhabitants of Hazor told to flee and dwell far away?
Answer from the stated reason in the text, not from ideas outside the passage.
03How does the passage describe Hazor at the end?
Look for the final image and the repeated idea that no person will live there.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 49:28–33
28Of Kedar, and of the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck, Yahweh says: “Arise, go up to Kedar, and destroy the children of the east.
29They will take their tents and their flocks. they will carry away for themselves their curtains, all their vessels, and their camels; and they will cry to them, ‘Terror on every side!’
30Flee! Wander far off! Dwell in the depths, you inhabitants of Hazor,” says Yahweh; “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has taken counsel against you, and has conceived a purpose against you.
31Arise! Go up to a nation that is at ease, that dwells without care,” says Yahweh; “that has neither gates nor bars, that dwells alone.
32Their camels will be a booty, and the multitude of their livestock a plunder. I will scatter to all winds those who have the corners of their beards cut off; and I will bring their calamity from every side of them,” says Yahweh.
33Hazor will be a dwelling place of jackals, a desolation forever. No man will dwell there, neither will any son of man live therein.”