I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.

JEREMIAH 49:14KJV
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Jeremiah 49:14 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:14 mean?

Jeremiah 49:14 describes a message from God about a coming attack: the prophet hears a report from the LORD that a messenger has been sent to other nations, calling them to gather together and rise up for battle against a particular people. The verse signals an impending judgment through the uniting of foreign nations for war.

In this context, Jeremiah is relaying what he has heard from God about Edom’s fate. The “rumour” is not mere gossip but a divine warning, and the “ambassador” is a figure sent out to rally other nations (“the heathen”) to join forces in battle. This verse sets the stage for the prophecy against Edom, showing that their downfall will come through a coalition of nations stirred up by God’s command.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:14

  • “Rumour” (שְׁמוּעָה, shemu‘ah) means a report or news, often of something significant or alarming. Here, it emphasizes that the warning comes from God, not just human hearsay.
  • “Ambassador” (צִיר, tsir) refers to an envoy or messenger. The word can suggest someone carrying an official summons or call to action, highlighting the seriousness of the message.
  • “Heathen” (גּוֹיִם, goyim) means nations or peoples, not just “pagans.” In this verse, it points to a coalition of foreign groups being summoned, not just one enemy.
  • “Gather together” (קָבַץ, qavats) carries the sense of assembling or collecting, showing intentional unity and purpose among the nations being called.

Why Jeremiah 49:14 matters

  • Jeremiah 49:14 clarifies that Edom’s coming trouble is not random but orchestrated by God, using the nations as instruments of judgment.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of the warning: it is not just a rumor but a divinely authorized message, making the threat certain and urgent.
  • Understanding the terms for “ambassador” and “nations” shows that this is a coordinated, large-scale event, not an isolated attack, which underscores the scale of Edom’s coming downfall.

Where else these words appear

“ambassador” Hebrew H6735 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
  • Proverbs 26:14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
  • Isaiah 21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

“rumour” Hebrew H8052 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
  • Jeremiah 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

“together” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
  • Jeremiah 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.