King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:20 in the King James Version says “Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 49:20 · KJV


Context

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

22

Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD (לָכֵן שִׁמְעוּ עֲצַת־יְהוָה, lakhen shim'u atzat-YHWH)—The imperative shim'u demands attention to divine deliberation. Atzah (counsel) appears in divine council contexts (see Jeremiah 23:18, 22), revealing that God's judgments proceed from sovereign deliberation, not capricious wrath. His purposes against the inhabitants of Teman (מַחְשְׁבוֹתָיו, machsh'votav)—divine 'thoughts' are effective purposes, not mere intentions.

Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out (צְעִירֵי הַצֹּאן, tse'irei hatson)—Even the weakest soldiers will drag away Edom's mighty warriors. This humiliating reversal—shepherd boys defeating warrior-shepherds—emphasizes total defeat. Teman, synonymous with Edom and famous for wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7), will learn that wisdom apart from God's fear is folly. Their desolate habitations testify that human cunning cannot forestall divine decree.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Teman was a district and city in Edom, renowned for wisdom traditions (Obadiah 8-9). Eliphaz, Job's 'wise' friend who was later rebuked by God, was a Temanite (Job 2:11). This ironic detail suggests Edom's celebrated wisdom was ultimately insufficient.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's 'counsel' reveal about the intentionality and justice of His judgments?
  2. How does the promise that 'the least' will triumph deconstruct worldly measures of strength and capability?
  3. In what ways might human wisdom become foolishness when divorced from the fear of the Lord?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 24
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

שִׁמְע֣וּ2 of 24

Therefore hear

H8085

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

עֲצַת3 of 24

the counsel

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 24
H834

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

יָעַץ֙6 of 24

that he hath taken

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

אֶל7 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱד֔וֹם8 of 24

against Edom

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

וּמַ֨חְשְׁבוֹתָ֔יו9 of 24

and his purposes

H4284

a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 24
H834

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

חָשַׁ֖ב11 of 24

that he hath purposed

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

אֶל12 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יֹשְׁבֵ֣י13 of 24

against the inhabitants

H3427

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

תֵימָ֑ן14 of 24

of Teman

H8487

teman, the name of two edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them

אִם15 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

ל֤וֹא16 of 24
H3808

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

יִסְחָבוּם֙17 of 24

shall draw them out

H5498

to trail along

צְעִירֵ֣י18 of 24

Surely the least

H6810

little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble

הַצֹּ֔אן19 of 24

of the flock

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

אִם20 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֥א21 of 24
H3808

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

יַשִּׁ֛ים22 of 24

desolate

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם23 of 24
H5921

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

נְוֵהֶֽם׃24 of 24

surely he shall make their habitations

H5116

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


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 49:20 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 49:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study