King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 49:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 49:5 in the King James Version says “Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be d...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 49 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.”

Jeremiah 49:5 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

3

Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together. their king: or, Melcom

4

Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? thy: or, thy valley floweth away

5

Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.

6

And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.

7

Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?

Read Jeremiah 49 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee. God pronounces the reversal of Ammon's false confidence. Instead of the arrogant question 'Who shall come unto me?' (v. 4), God declares 'I will bring fear' (ani mevi pachad, אֲנִי מֵבִיא פַּחַד). The noun pachad (פַּחַד) means terror, dread, or sudden alarm—paralyzing fear that destroys courage. The source is 'the Lord GOD of hosts' (Adonai YHWH Tzeva'ot)—the sovereign commander of heaven's armies. When God Himself brings fear, no human courage can stand.

The phrase 'from all those that be about thee' indicates surrounding enemies will attack from every direction. Ammon's neighbors—Babylon primarily, but also other nations—will converge against them. What Ammon trusted for security (geographic position, alliances) becomes the source of terror. Isaiah 24:17-18 describes this inescapable judgment: 'Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee.'

And ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth. Complete social collapse is described: 'driven out' (naddach, נָדַּח, scattered/dispersed) 'every man right forth' (straight ahead, headlong flight without direction). The phrase 'none shall gather him that wandereth' depicts refugees scattered with no one to rescue or regroup them. This reverses the shepherd imagery—instead of gathered flocks, scattered individuals with no shepherd. Jesus later declares Himself the Good Shepherd who gathers the scattered (John 10:11, 16; Matthew 23:37).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy was fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Ammon around 582 BC, three years after Jerusalem's fall. Josephus (Antiquities 10.9.7) records that Nebuchadnezzar conquered Ammon and Moab. Archaeological evidence shows destruction at Ammonite sites during this period. The Ammonites were scattered, their kingdom effectively ended, and they gradually assimilated into surrounding populations. Unlike Israel, who maintained identity through exile and returned to their land, Ammon disappeared from history. Their trust in treasures and valleys proved futile; God's word proved certain. The ultimate lesson: those who oppose God's people and trust in themselves face certain judgment, while God preserves and regathers His covenant people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to 'bring fear' on those who arrogantly asked 'Who shall come unto me?' demonstrate the danger of presumption and false security?
  2. What does the image of people 'driven out' with 'none to gather them' teach about the consequences of rejecting God's protection?
  3. In what ways does Christ as the Good Shepherd who gathers the scattered provide hope in contrast to the judgment on Ammon?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
הִנְנִי֩1 of 16
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מֵבִ֨יא2 of 16

“Behold I will bring”

H935

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

עָלַ֜יִךְ3 of 16
H5921

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

פַּ֗חַד4 of 16

“a fear”

H6343

a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)

נְאֻם5 of 16

“upon thee saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֧י6 of 16

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֛ה7 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

צְבָא֖וֹת8 of 16

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

מִכָּל9 of 16
H3605

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

סְבִיבָ֑יִךְ10 of 16

“from all those that be about”

H5439

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

וְנִדַּחְתֶּם֙11 of 16

“thee and ye shall be driven out”

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

אִ֣ישׁ12 of 16

“every man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְפָנָ֔יו13 of 16

“right forth”

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

וְאֵ֥ין14 of 16
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְקַבֵּ֖ץ15 of 16

“and none shall gather up”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

לַנֹּדֵֽד׃16 of 16

“him that wandereth”

H5074

properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away

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 49:5 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 49:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 46:5Jeremiah 49:29Jeremiah 20:4Proverbs 28:1Jeremiah 15:8Isaiah 16:3

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