And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD.

JEREMIAH 49:32KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 49:32 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:32 mean?

Jeremiah 49:32 says that the possessions and livestock of a certain group will be taken as plunder, and the people themselves will be scattered in every direction, facing disaster from all sides as declared by the LORD. This verse describes a total loss and dispersal as a form of judgment.

Jeremiah is speaking a prophecy from God against a nomadic tribe living on the edges of Edom, likely the descendants of Kedar. The verse uses vivid language to show that not only will their wealth (camels and cattle) be seized, but the people themselves will be driven out and scattered by force. The phrase "utmost corners" suggests those living on the fringes or outskirts, emphasizing that no one will escape this calamity.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:32

  • "Booty" (בַּז, baz, H957) and "spoil" (שָׁלָל, shalal, H7998) both mean goods taken by force, highlighting that everything valuable—especially livestock—will be seized by enemies.
  • "Scatter" (זָרָה, zarah, H2219) means to disperse or spread out, often used for scattering seed, but here it describes people being driven in every direction, emphasizing total uprooting.
  • "Utmost" (קָצֶה, qatseh, H7112) and "corners" (פֵּאָה, pe'ah, H6285) together refer to those living at the very edges or extremities, showing that even the most remote will not be spared.
  • "Calamity" (אֵיד, 'ed, H343) is a strong word for disaster or ruin, underlining the severity of what is coming upon them.

Why Jeremiah 49:32 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the judgment is not just on the main population but also on those living in remote or fringe areas, showing the thoroughness of the coming disaster.
  • The focus on livestock and possessions being taken as "booty" and "spoil" highlights how vulnerable nomadic peoples were to raids and how devastating such losses would be.
  • Jeremiah 49:32 fits into a larger section where God, through Jeremiah, pronounces judgment on various nations surrounding Israel, showing that God's authority and justice extend beyond Israel itself.

Where else these words appear

“utmost” Hebrew H7112 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.
  • 2 Samuel 4:12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

“calamity” Hebrew H343 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
  • Job 31:23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
  • Proverbs 27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

“booty” Hebrew H957 · used in 25 verses

  • Numbers 14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
  • Jeremiah 2:14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
  • Ezekiel 29:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.

“scatter” Hebrew H2219 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
  • Proverbs 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
  • Ezekiel 6:5 And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.