King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:18 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:18 in the King James Version says “As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, ne...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 49:18 · KJV

Context

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.

19

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? appoint me: or, convent me in judgment?

20

Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah (כְּמַהְפֵּכַת סְדֹם וַעֲמֹרָה, k'mahpekat Sedom v'Amorah)—The comparison is devastating: Edom's judgment will be as total and irreversible as the paradigmatic divine catastrophe. The noun mahpekah (overthrow) denotes violent reversal, used throughout Scripture for supernatural destruction (Genesis 19:29, Amos 4:11).

No man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it—The parallelism emphasizes absolute desolation. Unlike other judged nations that were later restored, Edom receives Sodom's fate: permanent uninhabitability. This severity reflects Edom's covenant treachery—they were Esau's descendants who sold birthright for stew and later sold out their brothers for plunder. Hebrews 12:16-17 warns against Esau's irreversible loss; Edom corporately embodies this cautionary tale.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) stood in collective memory as the ultimate example of divine wrath. Archaeological evidence shows Edom's major cities were indeed abandoned and never substantially reinhabited after the 6th century BC, unlike other nations Babylon conquered.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture invoke Sodom when describing ultimate judgment—what makes that destruction paradigmatic?
  2. How does Edom's permanent desolation differ from God's restoration of Judah, and what does this reveal about covenant?
  3. What does the 'son of man shall not dwell' formula teach about the relationship between human habitation and divine blessing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כְּֽמַהְפֵּכַ֞ת1 of 15

“As in the overthrow”

H4114

a destruction

סְדֹ֧ם2 of 15

“of Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וַעֲמֹרָ֛ה3 of 15

“and Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

וּשְׁכֵנֶ֖יהָ4 of 15

“and the neighbour”

H7934

a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen

אָמַ֣ר5 of 15

“cities thereof saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֑ה6 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

לֹֽא7 of 15
H3808

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

יֵשֵׁ֥ב8 of 15

“shall abide”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

שָׁם֙9 of 15
H8033

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

אִ֔ישׁ10 of 15

“no man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְלֹֽא11 of 15
H3808

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

יָג֥וּר12 of 15

“dwell”

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

בָּ֖הּ13 of 15
H0
בֶּן14 of 15

“there neither shall a son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָֽם׃15 of 15

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

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 49:18 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 49:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 49:33Deuteronomy 29:23Genesis 19:24-25Jeremiah 50:40Zephaniah 2:9Job 18:15-18

Places in This Verse

EdomRegion · Modern: Buseira · 30.75°N, 35.60°E111 verses across 21 books
GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 49 →

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