As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.

JEREMIAH 49:18KJV
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Jeremiah 49:18 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:18 mean?

Jeremiah 49:18 says that the destruction coming to Edom will be as complete as what happened to Sodom, Gomorrah, and their nearby towns—so severe that no one will live there anymore. The verse uses the memory of those ancient cities’ total ruin to stress that Edom will become completely uninhabited.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to warn Edom, a nation neighboring Israel, about the coming judgment. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah—cities famously wiped out in Genesis—shows that the devastation will be absolute, leaving the land empty of people. This is part of a larger section where Jeremiah delivers prophecies against various nations, emphasizing that God’s judgment reaches beyond Israel.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:18

  • "Overthrow" (מַהְפֵּכָה, mahpekha) refers to a total turning over or destruction, the same word used for Sodom and Gomorrah’s fate in Genesis. This highlights that the coming judgment on Edom is not just defeat, but utter ruin.
  • "Man" (אִישׁ, ish) and "son of man" (בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-adam) both appear, stressing that absolutely no human—no individual or descendant—will remain. The use of both terms underlines the completeness of the desolation.
  • "Abide" (יָשַׁב, yashav) and "dwell" (גּוּר, gur) are both used, with yashav often meaning to settle permanently and gur meaning to sojourn or stay temporarily. The verse covers both permanent residents and temporary visitors, showing that the land will be totally empty.

Why Jeremiah 49:18 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the coming judgment is not just a temporary setback for Edom, but a total and lasting devastation, using the well-known example of Sodom and Gomorrah to make the point vivid.
  • By mentioning both "man" and "son of man," and both "abide" and "dwell," the verse emphasizes that absolutely no one will be left, not even travelers or passersby, highlighting the thoroughness of the judgment.
  • In the context of Jeremiah’s prophecies, this verse shows that God’s justice applies to all nations, not just Israel, and that pride or hostility toward Israel (as Edom displayed) brings consequences.

Where else these words appear

“overthrow” Hebrew H4114 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
  • Isaiah 1:7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
  • Jeremiah 50:40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

“Gomorrah” Hebrew H6017 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
  • Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

“neighbour” Hebrew H7934 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 44:13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
  • Isaiah 33:24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

“Sodom” Hebrew H5467 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
  • Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.