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.