And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man dwell in it.

JEREMIAH 49:33KJV
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Jeremiah 49:33 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:33 mean?

Jeremiah 49:33 says that Hazor will become a deserted place, inhabited only by "dragons" (often understood as wild creatures or jackals), and will remain empty forever, with no people living there. The verse paints a picture of total abandonment and ruin for Hazor.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is delivering a message from God about the fate of Hazor, a region or settlement east of Israel. This prophecy is part of a larger section where Jeremiah announces judgment on various nations. The language stresses that Hazor's destruction will be so complete that not even a single person will remain, emphasizing the seriousness of the coming judgment.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:33

  • "Dragons" is from תַּנִּין (tannîn), often translated as "jackals" or "wild creatures" rather than literal dragons. This word highlights the idea of a place so empty that only wild, uninhabited animals remain.
  • "Desolation" comes from שְׁמָמָה (shemamah), meaning utter ruin or devastation. This word underlines that Hazor will not just be empty, but completely laid waste.
  • The phrase "no man" uses two different Hebrew words: אִישׁ (ish, meaning a man or person) and אָדָם (adam, meaning mankind or humanity in general). The doubling of these terms stresses that absolutely no human life will remain.

Why Jeremiah 49:33 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the judgment on Hazor is not just temporary but permanent, using strong language to show the finality of its fate.
  • By using vivid imagery of wild creatures and total desolation, Jeremiah emphasizes the seriousness of ignoring God's warnings.
  • This prophecy fits into a broader section where Jeremiah lists judgments on surrounding nations, showing that God's concern and authority extend beyond Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Hazor” Hebrew H2674 · used in 17 verses

  • Joshua 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
  • Joshua 15:23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
  • 1 Samuel 12:9 And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

“dwelling” Hebrew H4583 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Psalms 26:8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
  • 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.

“dragons” Hebrew H8577 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 74:13 Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
  • Jeremiah 9:11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

“desolation” Hebrew H8077 · used in 54 verses

  • Exodus 23:29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
  • Jeremiah 44:6 Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.
  • Ezekiel 35:3 And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate.