King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:29 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:29 in the King James Version says “Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 49:29 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

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

31

Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone. wealthy: or, that is at ease

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Their tents and their flocks shall they take away (אָהֳלֵיהֶם וְצֹאנָם יִקָּחוּ, aholeihem v'tsonam yiqqachu)—Nomadic wealth consisted of mobile assets: tents (housing), flocks (livestock economy). God specifies Kedar's particular vulnerabilities. They shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels—even fabric dividers, utensils, and transportation beasts will be seized. This comprehensive plundering leaves Kedar destitute.

And they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side (וְקָרְאוּ עֲלֵיהֶם מָגוֹר מִסָּבִיב, v'qar'u aleihem magor missaviv)—Magor missaviv ('terror on every side') is Jeremiah's signature phrase (6:25, 20:3, 46:5), describing paralyzing dread from all directions. The invaders will shout this psychological warfare formula, intensifying panic. Kedar's mobility, usually an advantage, becomes flight without refuge. Their boasted independence—dwelling 'without walls or gates'—transforms from freedom to vulnerability.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bedouin tribes relied on mobility and desert knowledge for security. Camels enabled rapid movement and long-distance trade. Babylonian military expeditions into Arabian deserts were logistically challenging but demonstrated empire's reach. The psychological impact ('fear on every side') was as important as physical conquest.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do God's judgments target the specific strengths and sources of pride in different cultures?
  2. What does the 'terror on every side' motif teach about the comprehensive nature of divine judgment?
  3. In what ways do modern people trust in mobility, flexibility, or independence as security—and how might God address such trust?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אָהֳלֵיהֶ֤ם1 of 13

“Their tents”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

וְצֹאנָם֙2 of 13

“and their flocks”

H6629

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

יִקָּ֔חוּ3 of 13

“shall they take away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יְרִיעוֹתֵיהֶ֧ם4 of 13

“to themselves their curtains”

H3407

a hanging (as tremulous)

וְכָל5 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כְּלֵיהֶ֛ם6 of 13

“and all their vessels”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

וּגְמַלֵּיהֶ֖ם7 of 13

“and their camels”

H1581

a camel

יִשְׂא֣וּ8 of 13

“they shall take”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

לָהֶ֑ם9 of 13
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְקָרְא֧וּ10 of 13

“and they shall cry”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם11 of 13
H5921

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

מָג֖וֹר12 of 13

“unto them Fear”

H4032

a fright (objective or subjective)

מִסָּבִֽיב׃13 of 13

“is on every side”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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 49:29 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 49:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 46:5Jeremiah 6:25Habakkuk 3:7Psalms 120:51 Chronicles 5:20-21Genesis 37:25

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