The Bible Says
Jeremiah 49:17-19 Meaning

In Jeremiah 49:17, when the prophet Jeremiah states, "Edom will become an object of horror; everyone who passes by it will be horrified and will hiss at all its wounds" (v. 17), he describes the utter devastation that awaits Edom. Edom, geographically located southeast of the land of Judah, descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob around 1850 BC. Historically, Edom often found itself in conflict with Israel, and this prophecy conveys the harsh consequences of opposing God’s covenant people. By using words like “horror” and “wounds,” Jeremiah forecasts a scene that will halt travelers in their tracks and provoke a fearful reaction.

In the era of Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry (circa 626-586 BC), regional powers were shifting, and Edom’s once-secure position would be no match for the judgment of the LORD. This dire prediction highlights the seriousness of violating God’s standards and harming His people. The visceral reaction of those passing by—hissing or whistling in dismay—communicates the depth of Edom’s shame and downfall.

Jeremiah 49:17 also points us toward a broader biblical principle: God holds nations accountable for their actions and their treatment of His people. Such judgment sets an example for future ages, reminding believers that human pride and hostility cannot endure in the face of divine sovereignty. The tragedy that would overtake Edom eventually underscores how taking refuge in God’s ways is the only lasting security (Psalm 91:2).

As the passage continues, Jeremiah proclaims, "Like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah with its neighbors," says the LORD, "no one will live there, nor will a son of man reside in it" (v. 18). By invoking Sodom and Gomorrah, which God destroyed in Abraham’s era around 2000 BC (Genesis 19), Jeremiah stresses that Edom will share the same total desolation as those once-thriving cities. This comparison instantly communicates the irreversible doom awaiting Edom, with no chance of normal life returning.

From a historical perspective, Sodom and Gomorrah stand as prime examples of complete destruction for sin and arrogance. The LORD’s word here suggests that Edom’s fate will parallel these cities struck by divine judgment—an emptiness so thorough that people will avoid even living in the region afterward. Such a warning was grim in an age when land and territory were crucial for survival and identity.

For believers reading these words, the passage reiterates God’s unchanging standard of justice. Much like Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction signaled the severity of sin, Edom’s coming ruin proves that no nation can trespass God’s laws and indefinitely escape consequence. The New Testament reminds believers that God’s righteousness extends to all people and is fulfilled ultimately in Jesus, who calls each person to repent and receive His mercy (Romans 5:8).

Jeremiah further declares in verse 19, "Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan against a perennially watered pasture; for in an instant I will make him run away from it, and whoever is chosen I shall appoint over it. For who is like Me, and who will summon Me into court? And who then is the shepherd who can stand before Me?" (v. 19). This imagery of a lion rising against a lush grazing field offers a vivid picture of sudden, overpowering judgment. The Jordan River valley, well-watered and fertile, represents prosperity and stability, yet the moment of doom will come swiftly and irresistibly.

God’s rhetorical challenge—"Who is like Me…who will summon Me into court?" (v. 19)—calls readers to acknowledge His unmatched authority. No leader or warrior can stand before the LORD, and no court of law can place Him on trial. His power eclipses earthly strength, unveiling the folly of trusting in human alliances or political might. Edom’s illusions of security fall apart in the face of the God who rules over nature and nations alike.

In a larger scriptural context, the lion can point to the Lion of Judah: Jesus (Revelation 5:5). Though God’s judgment is depicted powerfully here, the overall testimony of Scripture is that in Christ, the righteous judgment of the LORD meets the saving grace He offers. Such intense prophecies grip readers’ attention, prompting reflection on whether their trust is placed in fleeting worldly power or in the everlasting hope of God.