King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:10 in the King James Version says “But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spo...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.”

Jeremiah 49:10 · KJV

Context

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. turn: or, they are turned back

9

If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough. till: Heb. their sufficiency

10

But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.

11

Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.

12

For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink of it.

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places—God declares His direct action against Edom. Made bare translates chasapti (חָשַׂפְתִּי), meaning to strip, expose, or lay bare. Secret places (mistarim, מִסְתָּרִים) refers to hidden refuges, concealed treasures, or secure fortresses. Edom's rocky terrain provided natural fortresses and caves for hiding wealth and people, but God will expose everything. No geographical advantage can protect from divine judgment.

And he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled—The Hebrew nechehas (נֶחְפָּשׂ, hide himself) emphasizes futile attempts at concealment. Seed is spoiled uses shuddad (שֻׁדַּד), meaning destroyed, ruined, or devastated. This indicates destruction of Edom's descendants—no future generation.

His brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not—The phrase ve'eynenu (וְאֵינֶנּוּ, he is not) echoes Genesis 5:24 (Enoch) and Psalm 37:36 (the wicked)—complete nonexistence. Edom's allies and neighbors will also perish. The emphatic finality portrays total extinction—a prophecy literally fulfilled as Edom vanished from history without trace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Edom's geography seemed to guarantee security. The capital Sela (later Petra) was carved into rose-red cliffs, accessible only through narrow canyons—nearly impregnable. Yet Nebuchadnezzar conquered it (c. 582 BC), and the Nabataeans later displaced the Edomites entirely. The phrase 'he is not' proved literal: unlike other nations that survived conquest, Edom ceased to exist as a people. No Edomite language, literature, or culture survived. This contrasts sharply with Israel, which endured exile, dispersion, and persecution yet remains identifiable. The permanence of Edom's destruction demonstrates that human security measures—geographical, military, or political—cannot thwart God's decreed judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Edom's confidence in natural defenses parallel modern trust in security systems, wealth, or power?
  2. What does the complete disappearance of Edom teach about God's sovereignty over history and nations?
  3. In what ways does Israel's survival through exile contrasted with Edom's extinction demonstrate God's covenant faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּֽי1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֞י2 of 16
H589

i

חָשַׂ֣פְתִּי3 of 16

“bare”

H2834

to strip off, i.e., generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid)

אֶת4 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֵשָׂ֗ו5 of 16

“But I have made Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

גִּלֵּ֙יתִי֙6 of 16

“I have uncovered”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

אֶת7 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִסְתָּרָ֔יו8 of 16

“his secret places”

H4565

properly, a concealer, i.e., a covert

וְנֶחְבָּ֖ה9 of 16

“to hide”

H2247

to secrete

לֹ֣א10 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יוּכָ֑ל11 of 16

“and he shall not be able”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

שֻׁדַּ֥ד12 of 16

“is spoiled”

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

זַרְע֛וֹ13 of 16

“himself his seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

וְאֶחָ֥יו14 of 16

“and his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וּשְׁכֵנָ֖יו15 of 16

“and his neighbours”

H7934

a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen

וְאֵינֶֽנּוּ׃16 of 16
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 49:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 49:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 17:14Malachi 1:3-4Jeremiah 23:24Psalms 37:28Psalms 37:35-36Amos 9:3

Places in This Verse

EdomRegion · Modern: Buseira · 30.75°N, 35.60°E111 verses across 21 books
View all places in Jeremiah 49 →

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