King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:28 in the King James Version says “Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.

Jeremiah 49:28 · KJV


Context

26

Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.

27

And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad.

28

Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.

29

Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side.

30

Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you. get: Heb. flit greatly


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor (לְקֵדָר וּלְמַמְלְכוֹת חָצוֹר, l'Qedar ul'mamlkhot Chatzor)—Jeremiah shifts to Arabian kingdoms. Kedar, descended from Ishmael (Genesis 25:13), represented Bedouin tribes renowned for black tents, flocks, and archery (Isaiah 21:16-17). Hazor here isn't the Canaanite city but refers to unwalled settlements (chatserim) of semi-nomadic Arabs. Which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite—God names His instrument before the blow falls.

Thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east (קוּמוּ עֲלוּ אֶל־קֵדָר וְשָׁדְדוּ אֶת־בְּנֵי־קֶדֶם, qumu alu el-Qedar v'shaddu et-b'nei-Qedem)—Divine imperatives dispatch Babylon to plunder Arabia. 'Men of the east' (b'nei-Qedem) were proverbial for wealth and wisdom (Job 1:3). Yet God decrees their 'spoiling' (shadad), the same violent despoiling Israel experienced. No people group—settled urbanites or desert nomads—escapes divine jurisdiction.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar campaigned in Arabia circa 599-598 BC, attacking caravan tribes. This disrupted trade routes and demonstrated Babylon's reach into previously untouched desert regions. Kedarite inscriptions from this period reference conflicts with foreign powers, likely including Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God judge even nomadic Arabian tribes who weren't involved in Israel's affairs?
  2. What does Nebuchadnezzar's naming as God's agent reveal about divine sovereignty over pagan kings?
  3. How does this oracle challenge the notion that geographic isolation provides safety from God's justice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
קֵדָ֔ר1 of 19

Concerning Kedar

H6938

kedar, a son of ishmael; also (collectively) bedouin (as his descendants or representatives)

וּֽלְמַמְלְכ֣וֹת2 of 19

and concerning the kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

חָצ֗וֹר3 of 19

of Hazor

H2674

chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia

אֲשֶׁ֤ר4 of 19
H834

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

הִכָּה֙5 of 19

shall smite

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ור6 of 19

which Nebuchadrezzar

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 19

king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל8 of 19

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

כֹּ֖ה9 of 19
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר10 of 19

thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֑ה11 of 19

the LORD

H3068

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

ק֚וּמוּ12 of 19

Arise

H6965

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

עֲל֣וּ13 of 19

ye go up

H5927

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

אֶל14 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קֵדָ֔ר15 of 19

Concerning Kedar

H6938

kedar, a son of ishmael; also (collectively) bedouin (as his descendants or representatives)

וְשָׁדְד֖וּ16 of 19

and spoil

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

אֶת17 of 19
H853

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

בְּנֵי18 of 19

the men

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

קֶֽדֶם׃19 of 19

of the east

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)


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 49:28 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 49:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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