King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:19 in the King James Version says “Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will sudden... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

Jeremiah 49:19 · KJV


Context

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.

21

The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea. Red sea: Heb. Weedy sea


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan (כְּאַרְיֵה יַעֲלֶה, k'aryeh ya'aleh)—God depicts Himself as the apex predator bursting from Jordan's dense thickets (ga'on haYarden, the 'pride of Jordan'—dense jungle along the riverbank where lions once lived). This terrifying image of divine warfare overwhelms Edom's 'strong habitation' (naveh eitan).

Who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? (מִי כָמֹונִי וּמִי יוֹעִדֵנִי, mi khamoni umi yo'ideni)—Four rhetorical questions establish God's incomparability and judicial prerogative. No shepherd (leader) can withstand Him; no chosen champion can represent Edom. These questions echo God's self-revelation to Job (Job 38-41) and Moses (Exodus 15:11). Human pretensions to sovereignty crumble before the thrice-holy Judge who owes no one an explanation for His verdicts.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Jordan valley's riparian forests harbored lions until medieval times. The 'swelling' refers to Jordan flooding during harvest season (Joshua 3:15), when lions were driven from cover and became dangerous predators—an apt metaphor for God's unstoppable judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do God's rhetorical questions dismantle human autonomy and establish His exclusive right to judge?
  2. What does the 'lion from Jordan' image teach about the suddenness and ferocity of divine judgment?
  3. How should the doctrine of God's incomparability shape our response to His commands and warnings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
הִ֠נֵּה1 of 27
H2009

lo!

כְּאַרְיֵ֞ה2 of 27

like a lion

H738

a lion

יַעֲלֶ֨ה3 of 27

Behold he shall come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִגְּא֣וֹן4 of 27

from the swelling

H1347

the same as h1346

הַיַּרְדֵּן֮5 of 27

of Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

אֶל6 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְוֵ֣ה7 of 27

against the habitation

H5116

(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild

אֵיתָן֒8 of 27

of the strong

H386

permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain

כִּֽי9 of 27
H3588

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

אַרְגִּ֤יעָה10 of 27

but I will suddenly

H7280

properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci

אֲרִיצֶ֨נּוּ11 of 27

make him run away

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ12 of 27
H5921

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

וּמִ֥י13 of 27
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

בָח֖וּר14 of 27

from her and who is a chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

אֵלֶ֣יהָ15 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶפְקֹ֑ד16 of 27

man that I may appoint

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

כִּ֣י17 of 27
H3588

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

מִ֤י18 of 27
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

כָמ֙וֹנִי֙19 of 27
H3644

as, thus, so

וּמִ֣י20 of 27
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יֹעִידֶ֔נִּי21 of 27

over her for who is like me and who will appoint me the time

H3259

to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi

וּמִי22 of 27
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

זֶ֣ה23 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

רֹעֶ֔ה24 of 27

and who is that shepherd

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

אֲשֶׁ֥ר25 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַעֲמֹ֖ד26 of 27

that will stand

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנָֽי׃27 of 27

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi


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 49:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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Verses related to Jeremiah 49:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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