King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:31 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:31 in the King James Version says “Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 49:31 · KJV

Context

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

32

And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD. in: Heb. cut off into corners, or, that have the corners of their hair polled

33

And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care (קוּמוּ עֲלוּ אֶל־גּוֹי שְׁלֵיו יוֹשֵׁב לָבֶטַח, qumu alu el-goy sh'lev yoshev lavetach)—God commands Babylon to attack a shalev (at ease, tranquil) people living lavetach (securely). This is biting irony: Kedar's security becomes the reason for attack. Prosperity without vigilance invites predation. Their 'dwelling in security' stems from isolation, not covenant protection—a false security exposed by judgment.

Which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone (לֹא־דְלָתַיִם וְלֹא־בְרִיחַ לוֹ בָּדָד יִשְׁכֹּנוּ, lo-d'latayim v'lo-v'riach lo badad yishkonu)—No fortifications, and dwelling badad (alone, isolated). This describes nomadic lifestyle as tactical weakness. The very independence and mobility Kedar prized becomes vulnerability. Numbers 23:9's description of Israel ('the people shall dwell alone') is inverted—Israel's separation was holy distinction under God's protection; Kedar's isolation is merely geographic, offering no shelter from Babylon's reach or God's justice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bedouin tribes' lack of fixed fortifications was strategic—they relied on desert's vastness and mobility. But this also meant vulnerability to concerted military campaigns. Their 'dwelling alone' reflected political independence, not covenant relationship. Geographic isolation cannot substitute for divine protection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse distinguish between false security (isolation, wealth) and true security (God's covenant protection)?
  2. What modern forms of 'dwelling alone' (self-sufficiency, isolationism) offer illusory safety?
  3. Why is complacency ('dwelling without care') spiritually dangerous even when circumstances seem secure?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
ק֣וּמוּ1 of 16

“Arise”

H6965

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

עֲל֗וּ2 of 16

“get you up”

H5927

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

אֶל3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גּ֥וֹי4 of 16

“nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

שְׁלֵ֛יו5 of 16

“unto the wealthy”

H7961

tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security

יוֹשֵׁ֥ב6 of 16

“that dwelleth”

H3427

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

לָבֶ֖טַח7 of 16

“without care”

H983

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

נְאֻם8 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה9 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

לֹא10 of 16
H3808

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

דְלָתַ֧יִם11 of 16

“which have neither gates”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

וְלֹֽא12 of 16
H3808

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

בְרִ֛יחַ13 of 16

“nor bars”

H1280

a bolt

ל֖וֹ14 of 16
H0
בָּדָ֥ד15 of 16

“alone”

H910

separate; adverb, separately

יִשְׁכֹּֽנוּ׃16 of 16

“which dwell”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

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 49:31 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 49:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 38:11Deuteronomy 33:28Numbers 23:9Isaiah 47:8Micah 7:14Isaiah 32:9

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 49 →

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