Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?

JEREMIAH 49:4KJV
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Jeremiah 49:4 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:4 mean?

Jeremiah 49:4 challenges a group described as a "backsliding daughter" for boasting about their fertile valleys and trusting in their wealth, asking why they feel so secure that no one could threaten them. The verse points out their misplaced confidence in material resources and natural advantages instead of recognizing their vulnerability.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God's message to the people of Ammon, a neighboring nation of Israel. The Ammonites are called out for their pride in their land's prosperity ("flowing valley") and their treasures, believing these things make them untouchable. The verse fits into a larger section where Jeremiah delivers warnings to various nations about coming judgment and the danger of relying on anything other than God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:4

  • "gloriest" (הִתְהַלֵּל, hithallel): This word means to boast or take pride. Here, it highlights the Ammonites' self-satisfaction and pride in their land and wealth.
  • "valleys" (עֵמֶק, ʿēmeq) and "flowing" (זָב, zāv): The word for "valley" refers to a fertile, productive area, and "flowing" suggests abundance or richness. Together, they emphasize the physical prosperity the people are proud of.
  • "backsliding" (שׁוֹבֵבָה, shovēvah): This term means turning away or being unfaithful. Calling Ammon a "backsliding daughter" paints them as unfaithful and rebellious, not just mistaken.
  • "trusted" (בָּטַח, batach): This word means to put confidence in something. The verse points out that their trust is in their treasures, not in anything lasting or secure.
  • "treasures" (אוֹצָר, ʾōtsar): This refers to stored wealth or valuables, underlining what the people rely on.
  • "come" (בּוֹא, bo): The phrase "Who shall come unto me?" expresses a sense of invincibility, as if no one could ever threaten them.

Why Jeremiah 49:4 matters

  • Jeremiah 49:4 clarifies that the Ammonites' sense of security is based on pride in their resources, not on any real protection, exposing the emptiness of relying on material things.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that God's warnings are not only for Israel but also for other nations who trust in their own strength or wealth.
  • This verse helps readers see the historical context of Jeremiah's prophecies, where nations often believed their geography and riches made them safe, a belief the prophet directly challenges.

Where else these words appear

“backsliding” Hebrew H7728 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 31:22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.

“flowing” Hebrew H2100 · used in 41 verses

  • Exodus 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 26:9 And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.

“valleys” Hebrew H6010 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  • Job 39:10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

“treasures” Hebrew H214 · used in 70 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
  • Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.