Jeremiah 49:36

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 49:34-39

This prophecy is dated in the beginning of Zedekiah's reign; it is probable that the other prophecies against the Gentiles, going before, were at the same time. The Elamites were the Persians, descended from Elam the son of Shem (Gen. 10:22); yet some think it was only that part of Persia which lay nearest to the Jews which was called Elymais, and adjoined to Media-Elam, which, say they, had acted against God's Israel, bore the quiver in an expedition against them (Isa. 22:6), and therefore... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 49:36

And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven ,.... The Targum interprets it the four kingdoms; see Daniel 7:2 . Some think this had its accomplishment in the times of Alexander; or else after his death, in the times of his four successors; but rather in the times of Nebuchadnezzar, who should bring with him, in his army, people that dwelt in the several parts of the world, comparable to the winds for their swiftness and strength; whose blast would be so great... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 49:36

Will I bring the four winds - Nebuchadnezzar and his armies, gathered out of different provinces, and attacking this people at all points in the same time. There shall be no nation, etc. - They shall be scattered through the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of which the Babylonish empire is composed. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 49:36

Verse 36 He now adds that four winds would come, which would dissipate the whole people. God himself speaks, in order that the word might be more powerful and have more weight. I will rouse up, he says, four winds And we know that the air is in a moment put in motion whenever it pleases God; and when Scripture extols the power of God, it does not without reason refer to the winds; for it is not a small miracle when the whole world is on a sudden put in motion. It is now tranquil, and then in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 49:34-39

Concerning Elam. The title places this prophecy later than these in Je 48:1-49:33; viz. at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah. From this filet, and from the absence of any reference to Nebuchadnezzar as the instrument of Elam's humiliation, Ewald conjectures that the Elamites had been concerned in the events which led to the dethronement and captivity of Jehoiachin. Dr. Payne Smith is inclined to accept this hypothesis, remarking that the Elamites "appear perpetually as the allies of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 49:34-39

The fate of Elam. I. THE ELEMENTS OF DOOM . 1 . Loss of active strength. The breaking of the bow ought, perhaps, to be taken somewhat literally. Elam may have been a people where skill in archery reckoned for much of its strength. Whatever our peculiar natural strength may be, God can break it to pieces. We should never pride ourselves on what is peculiar to us, for the really best things are those which may become common to all men. 2 . The loss of all union. The two... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 49:36

An emblem of the utter hopelessness of escape. The four winds (figuratively spoken of by Zechariah ( Zechariah 6:5 ) as "presenting themselves" before God, to receive his commissions) shall combine their forces to scatter the doomed nation. The outcasts of Elam. This is the marginal reading in the Hebrew Bible; the text has, "the perpetual outcasts." No philological eye can doubt that the correction should be admitted (a yod for a vav ) . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 49:36

In a whirlwind violent gales seem to blow from every quarter, and whatever is exposed to their fury they scatter over the whole country. With similar violence the whole nation of Elam shall be dispersed far and wide. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 49:35-38

Jeremiah 49:35-38. Behold, I will break the bow of Elam The Elamites were famous archers, as this expression intimates, as also Isaiah’s words, Isaiah 22:6; And Elam bare the quiver. Strabo also says, that the mountainous parts of Elymais bred chiefly archers; στρατιωτας τρεφει τοξοτας τους πλειστους , lib. 16. p. 744. Livy, and other heathen writers, also speak of the Elymæan archers. Upon Elam will I bring the four winds, &c. I will bring enemies upon Elam from every quarter; and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 49:34-39

A message concerning Elam (49:34-39)The message concerning the ancient kingdom of Elam came at the beginning of Zedekiah’s reign. At that time Zedekiah was trying to form an alliance with other nations west of Babylon, with the aim of resisting the spread of Babylon’s power (34; cf. 27:1-3,12).Jeremiah’s message here shows that Zedekiah was wasting his time. Babylon’s power will spread so widely that even countries to its east, such as Elam, will be overthrown (35-38). But Elam’s overthrow will... read more

Group of Brands