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 49:32KJVWhat 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.