Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.

JEREMIAH 49:5KJV
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Jeremiah 49:5 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 49:5 mean?

Jeremiah 49:5 describes God declaring that He will send fear upon a nation, causing its people to be scattered and driven out, with no one left to help or gather those who flee. The verse emphasizes a coming judgment where panic and abandonment will overtake the people, leaving them vulnerable and alone.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to warn a neighboring nation (in the context, likely the Ammonites) of an impending disaster. The language paints a picture of sudden terror coming from surrounding enemies, leading to chaos and isolation. The focus is on the total helplessness that will result when God’s judgment falls, showing that no one will be able to rescue or comfort those who are scattered.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 49:5

  • The word for "fear" is פַּחַד (pachad), which means a sudden and overwhelming terror. This highlights that the fear described is not just anxiety, but a deep, paralyzing dread that disrupts normal life.
  • The phrase "driven out" comes from the Hebrew word נָדַח (nadach), which often means to be forcefully scattered or expelled. This shows that the people will not leave by choice, but will be compelled to flee in panic.
  • The word "gather up" is אָסַף (asaf), meaning to collect or bring together. The verse stresses that no one will come to collect or care for those who are left wandering, underlining the completeness of their abandonment.

Why Jeremiah 49:5 matters

  • Jeremiah 49:5 clarifies that the coming trouble is not just a military defeat, but a divinely sent terror that leaves people without support or hope.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah of God’s sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel, showing that God holds all peoples accountable.
  • This verse helps the reader see the seriousness of God’s warnings through the prophet: when God speaks of judgment, it involves both external threats and deep inner fear, resulting in total upheaval.

Where else these words appear

“wandereth” Hebrew H5074 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 31:40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
  • Psalms 64:8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
  • Isaiah 21:15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

“fear” Hebrew H6343 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
  • Psalms 105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.

“out” Hebrew H5080 · used in 51 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
  • Nehemiah 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
  • Jeremiah 27:15 For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.

“up” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
  • Jeremiah 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.