King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:14 in the King James Version says “I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come ag...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.”

Jeremiah 49:14 · KJV

Context

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.

13

For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.

14

I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.

15

For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.

16

Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have heard a rumour from the LORD (שְׁמוּעָה שָׁמַעְתִּי, shemu'ah shamati)—Jeremiah receives divine intelligence about Edom's impending judgment. The tsir (צִיר, ambassador) sent among nations coordinates the coalition against Edom, showing God's sovereignty over international politics. This prophetic eavesdropping on heaven's war council echoes Isaiah's vision and demonstrates that no nation escapes Yahweh's judicial oversight.

Gather ye together, and come against her—The imperative forms signal God's active orchestration of judgment through human agency. Edom, Judah's blood relative through Esau, will face the same Babylonian sword they celebrated when Jerusalem fell (Obadiah 10-14). The bitter irony: Edom's schadenfreude becomes their own obituary.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This oracle against Edom (586-585 BC) follows Jerusalem's destruction. The Edomites had betrayed their Judahite kinsmen by assisting Babylon and plundering refugees. Nabonidus of Babylon would campaign against Edom circa 553 BC, fulfilling this prophecy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of pagan nations to judge other pagan nations demonstrate His universal sovereignty?
  2. What does Edom's betrayal of Judah reveal about the spiritual danger of rejoicing in others' calamities?
  3. How does Jeremiah's access to divine 'intelligence' prefigure believers' access to God's revelation in Scripture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
שְׁמוּעָ֤ה1 of 12

“a rumour”

H8052

something heard, i.e., an announcement

שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙2 of 12

“I have heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

מֵאֵ֣ת3 of 12
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 12

“from the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְצִ֖יר5 of 12

“and an ambassador”

H6735

a throe (as a phys. or mental pressure)

בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם6 of 12

“unto the heathen”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

שָׁל֑וּחַ7 of 12

“is sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

הִֽתְקַבְּצוּ֙8 of 12

“saying Gather ye together”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

וּבֹ֣אוּ9 of 12

“and come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלֶ֔יהָ10 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְק֖וּמוּ11 of 12

“against her and rise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃12 of 12

“to the battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

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 49:14 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 49:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 30:4Obadiah 1:1-4Matthew 24:6Isaiah 18:2-3Jeremiah 51:27-28Ezekiel 7:25-26

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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