King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:16 in the King James Version says “Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 49:16 · KJV

Context

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.

17

Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.

18

As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thy terribleness hath deceived thee (הִשִּׁיא אֹתְךָ תִּפְלַצְתְּךָ, hissi otekha tiflatstekkha)—Edom's intimidating reputation became self-deception. The tiphletseth (terror they inspired) created false security. The pride of thine heart (זְדוֹן לִבֶּךָ, zedon libbeka)—zedon denotes arrogant presumption, the same sin that felled Babylon (Isaiah 13:19).

Thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock (שֹׁכְנִי בְּחַגְוֵי־הַסֶּלַע, shokhni b'chagvei-hasela)—Petra, carved into rose-red sandstone cliffs, seemed impregnable. Yet God declares: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down—echoing Obadiah 4. The eagle imagery mocks Edom's lofty confidence. No fortress exceeds God's reach; geography cannot insulate from divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Petra's location in a narrow gorge (the Siq) made it nearly impossible to conquer by conventional warfare. The Edomites controlled water sources and could ambush invaders. This natural fortress fostered pride that seemed justified—until God intervened.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do natural advantages (wealth, geography, intellect) become sources of spiritual deception?
  2. What modern 'fortresses' do people trust in that cannot withstand God's judgment?
  3. How does this verse inform our understanding of security—what makes a person or nation truly safe?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
תִּֽפְלַצְתְּךָ֞1 of 19

“Thy terribleness”

H8606

fearfulness

הִשִּׁ֤יא2 of 19

“hath deceived”

H5377

to lead astray, i.e., (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce

אֹתָךְ֙3 of 19
H853

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

זְד֣וֹן4 of 19

“thee and the pride”

H2087

arrogance

לִבֶּ֔ךָ5 of 19

“of thine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

שֹֽׁכְנִי֙6 of 19

“O thou that dwellest”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

בְּחַגְוֵ֣י7 of 19

“in the clefts”

H2288

a rift in rocks

הַסֶּ֔לַע8 of 19

“of the rock”

H5553

a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)

תֹּפְשִׂ֖י9 of 19

“that holdest”

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

מְר֣וֹם10 of 19

“the height”

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

גִּבְעָ֑ה11 of 19

“of the hill”

H1389

a hillock

כִּֽי12 of 19
H3588

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

תַגְבִּ֤יהַּ13 of 19

“as high”

H1361

to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty

כַּנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙14 of 19

“as the eagle”

H5404

the eagle (or other large bird of prey)

קִנֶּ֔ךָ15 of 19

“though thou shouldest make thy nest”

H7064

a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling

מִשָּׁ֥ם16 of 19
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֽוֹרִידְךָ֖17 of 19

“I will bring thee down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

נְאֻם18 of 19

“from thence saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃19 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

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

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 49:16 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 49:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 39:27Isaiah 49:25Amos 9:2Proverbs 16:18Isaiah 14:13-15Obadiah 1:3-4

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