King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:37 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:37 in the King James Version says “For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil u... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:

Jeremiah 49:37 · KJV


Context

35

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

36

And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.

37

For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them:

38

And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.

39

But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies (וְהַחְתַּתִּי אֶת־עֵילָם לִפְנֵי אֹיְבֵיהֶם, v'hachtattti et-Elam lifnei oy'veihem)—The verb chatat means to shatter, terrify, dismay. God personally engineers psychological collapse. Elam's warriors will lose courage, fulfilling covenant curse patterns (Leviticus 26:36-37). And before them that seek their life—not casual opponents but mortal enemies intent on extermination.

And I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger (וְהֵבֵאתִי עֲלֵיהֶם רָעָה אֶת־חֲרוֹן אַפִּי, v'heveti aleihem ra'ah et-charon appi)—Ra'ah (calamity/evil) is God's judicial response; charon appi (burning of My anger) reveals the intensity. Divine wrath isn't capricious emotion but settled judicial response to sin. And I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them—the sword personified as pursuing predator. Kalah (consume) suggests thorough, not necessarily total, destruction—enough to accomplish God's purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Elam faced multiple invasions: Babylonian campaigns, then Persian conquest under Cyrus, later Hellenistic conflicts. The 'sword after them' describes recurring military disasters that prevented Elam from regaining power. God's 'fierce anger' manifested through historical processes, not just supernatural intervention.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use 'dismay' and psychological warfare as instruments of judgment alongside physical destruction?
  2. What does God's 'fierce anger' reveal about His holiness and justice—is divine wrath arbitrary or principled?
  3. In what sense does the 'sword' pursue until consumption, and when does God's judgment reach completion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהַחְתַּתִּ֣י1 of 23

to be dismayed

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

אֶת2 of 23
H853

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

עֵ֠ילָם3 of 23

For I will cause Elam

H5867

elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites

וְלִפְנֵ֣י׀4 of 23

and 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

אֹיְבֵיהֶ֜ם5 of 23

their enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

וְלִפְנֵ֣י׀6 of 23

and 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

מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י7 of 23

them that seek

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

נַפְשָׁ֗ם8 of 23

their life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י9 of 23

and I will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עֲלֵיהֶ֧ם׀10 of 23
H5921

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

רָעָ֛ה11 of 23

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֶת12 of 23
H853

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

חֲר֥וֹן13 of 23

upon them even my fierce

H2740

a burning of anger

אַפִּ֖י14 of 23

anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

נְאֻם15 of 23

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה16 of 23

the LORD

H3068

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

וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֤י17 of 23

and I will send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙18 of 23

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֶת19 of 23
H853

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

הַחֶ֔רֶב20 of 23

the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

עַ֥ד21 of 23
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כַּלּוֹתִ֖י22 of 23

them till I have consumed

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

אוֹתָֽם׃23 of 23
H853

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


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 49:37 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 49:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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