Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.

JEREMIAH 49:16KJV
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Jeremiah 49:16 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:16 mean?

Jeremiah 49:16 warns that the pride and sense of security of those living in rocky, high places has deceived them, but God declares He will bring them down no matter how high they make themselves. The verse speaks of a people who trust in their strong, seemingly unassailable position, yet God promises their downfall.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the nation of Edom, whose people lived in mountainous regions with steep cliffs. The Edomites believed their location made them safe from attack, but God says their "terribleness" (their reputation or fierceness) and "pride" have led them astray. Even if they try to make themselves as unreachable as an eagle's nest, God will humble them.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:16

  • "Terribleness" (תִּפְלֶצֶת, tifletset): This word refers to something that causes terror or dread. Here, it points to the fearsome reputation or intimidating presence of Edom, which gave them a false sense of security.
  • "Pride" (זָדוֹן, zadon): This word means arrogance or haughtiness. The verse highlights that Edom's downfall is rooted in their proud attitude, not just their physical location.
  • "Clefts" (חַגְוֵי, chagvei) and "rock" (סֶלַע, sela): These words describe the literal rocky cliffs and crags where the Edomites lived. The imagery emphasizes how safe and untouchable they felt.
  • "Nest" (קֵן, qen) and "eagle" (נֶשֶׁר, nesher): The comparison to an eagle's nest high up shows how high the Edomites thought they could rise above danger, but God says even that will not protect them.

Why Jeremiah 49:16 matters

  • This verse clears up the misconception that physical strength, reputation, or natural defenses can guarantee safety when pride blinds people to their true vulnerability before God.
  • Jeremiah 49:16 emphasizes that God sees through human arrogance and self-reliance, and no one is beyond His reach, no matter how secure they feel.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage where God pronounces judgment on Edom, showing that their downfall is not just about military defeat but about the consequences of pride and misplaced trust.

Where else these words appear

“clefts” Hebrew H2288 · used in 3 verses

  • Song of Solomon 2:14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
  • Obadiah 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

“pride” Hebrew H2087 · used in 11 verses

  • Deuteronomy 17:12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
  • Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
  • Jeremiah 50:31 Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee.

“nest” Hebrew H7064 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Job 29:18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.
  • Isaiah 10:14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.

“deceived” Hebrew H5377 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
  • Psalms 55:15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
  • Jeremiah 23:39 Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence: