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Introduction

The oracles to the nations form a distinct unit towards the end of the book of Jeremiah. These prophecies show that Yahweh is not merely a local god, the God of Israel, but is Lord over the whole world, including all nations. Jeremiah was called to be prophet to the nations (1:5), not only to Judah.

Many other prophets include a section containing oracles against the nations, including Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos and Zephaniah. It is unlikely that these words were actually spoken to the different nations. The main message was to Judah, because judgement on the nations means salvation for Judah.

Each oracle describes the future of real nations, and refer to physical locations, characteristics of the nation, and events in their history. The important message is that the rise and fall of these nations is under God’s sovereign control. At the time, they can seem so powerful, when it appears that no one can conquer them. However these oracles show that their power is limited and short-lived, and all under God’s control. He allows them to rise for a period, according to his purposes, and then to be destroyed.

Difference in the Septuagint

In the Greek Septuagint translation (LXX), the oracles to the nations are placed between 25:13a and 25:15, with 23:13b-14 missing. The collection of oracles was probably circulated independently, before it was made part of the complete book of Jeremiah. The passage in 25:15-38 probably formed either an introduction or conclusion to this original collection.

They nations are in different orders in the two versions. In the Hebrew version, the nations are arranged geographically starting from the south and west and moving to the north and east (Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Elam and Babylon). In the Greek Septuagint the nations are in order of political importance (Elam, Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Edom, Ammon, Kedar, Damascus and Moab).

Structure of section

The section begins with a title verse: "The word of the Lord which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations" (46:1).

The oracles then follow:
1. Egypt (46:2-28)
2. The Philistines (47:1-7)
3. Moab (48:1-47)
4. Ammon (49:1-6)
5. Edom (49:7-22)
6. Damascus (49:23-27)
7. Kedar and Hazor (49:28-33)
8. Elam (49:34-39)
9. Babylon (50:1 - 51:64)

1. Egypt (46:2-28)

There are two separate oracles against Egypt, each with its own title.

1a. The defeat of Egypt at Carchemish (46:2-12)

“Concerning Egypt about the army of Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates at Carchemish and which King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah” (46:2).

This oracle describes the defeat of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish (605 BC). In 609 BC, Pharaoh Necho marched north to assist the weakening Assyrians. King Josiah of Judah stood against him, but was killed at the Battle of Megiddo (2 Kg 23:29). Necho reached Carchemish, which was successfully attacked by Babylon in 605 BC, when the Egyptian forces had to flee.

1b. The attack on Egypt by Nebuchadrezzar (46:13-24)

“The word that the Lord spoke to the prophet Jeremiah about the coming of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon to attack the land of Egypt” (46:13).

After his victory at Carchemish, Nebuchadnezzar advanced toward Egypt, capturing Ashkelon in Philistia in 604 BC, which opened the way to Egypt and posed a great threat to them. Egypt finally was invaded in 568/7 BC.

The oracles describe a nation which went out in power (v3-4), but was helpless before their enemies (v16). Necho is described as the ‘braggart who missed his chance’ (v17), and their god, Apis the bull, has fled (v15). The judgement at Carchemish is described as a day of God’s vindication (v10).

The promise of recovery (v26b) was probably fulfilled after Babylonian times, when Pharaoh Amasis regained Egypt’s independence (569 BC). The oracle concludes with a promise to Israel (v27-28, repeating 30:10-11).

2. The Philistines (47:1-7)

“The word of the Lord that came to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh attacked Gaza” (v1).

The prophecy is dated ‘before Pharaoh attacked Gaza’ (47:1). This could have been when Pharaoh Necho moved north and killed Josiah at Megiddo in 609 BC. The historian Heroditus says that Necho conquered the city of Kadytis, which might be Gaza, in 609 BC after defeating Josiah. Otherwise, the fulfilment would have been the defeat of Ashkelon by Babylon in 604 BC, when the city was destroyed and the people deported. The fall of Ashkelon prompted King Jehoiakim to proclaim a fast, as Jerusalem was now threatened. This was the occasion when Baruch read Jeremiah's scroll (ch 36).

The judgement is described as a flood from the north (v2). Philistia, the ally of Tyre and Sidon will be destroyed (v4). There is no promise of hope for them. The Philistines had caused continual trouble to Israel, from the time of Samson, until they were finally suppressed by David.

3. Moab (48:1-47)

“Concerning Moab: Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel:” (v1).

The land of Moab is a rich elevated plateau east of the Dead Sea, between the River Arnon and the River Zered. The Moabites were descendants of Lot through his one of his daughters (Gen 19:37). Moab was generally friendly to the Israelites during the time of the patriarchs.

Before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, the Israelites were led astray into idolatry by the Moabites (Num 25:1-3). There were wars between Israel and Moab during the time of the judges (Judges 3:12-30). Ruth was from Moab, who married Boaz and became an ancestor of David. Moab was conquered by David, who made them pay tribute (2 Sam 8:2,12). In the late 700's BC, Moab was conquered by Assyria, and regained their independence following the collapse of Assyria.

Other than the accounts in the Old Testament, the history of Moab is not well known, so it is difficult to place the prophecy in history. Moab probably came under the influence of Babylon in 605 BC, after Carchemish. Moab did not join Judah in rebelling against Babylon, generally not helping its long-standing enemy. Moab was invaded by Nebuchadnezzar in 582 BC, around the same time as the final deportations from Judah.

There are parallels between this prophecy and Isaiah's prophecy against Moab in Is 15-16. Either Jeremiah copied and adapted from Isaiah, or both drew on older anonymous sayings about Moab. Several other prophets had words against Moab, including Isaiah (Is 15-16, 25:10), Ezekiel (Ezek 25:8-11), Amos (Amos 2:1-3) and Zephaniah (Zeph 2:8-11).

The oracle mentions many place names, some are known, others are of uncertain location. Some of these cities, including Nebo, Kiriathaim and Heshbon, were originally in the land that King Sihon of the Ammonites had taken from the Moabites (Num 21:21-31). They were given to the Reubenites, who rebuilt them (Num 32:37-38, Josh 13:15-23). Moab had expanded in the ninth century into the land of Reuben. Many of these places are named on the Moabite Stone, which was found in Dibon (v18).

Chemosh (v7) was the main god of the Moabites (Num 21:29), worshipped by the sacrifice of children (2 Kg 3:27). Moab was invaded from the north (v6) and forced to flee to the desert. Their strongholds and wealth which they trusted in will give no protection (v7).

The land of Moab had been invaded and occupied, but the Moabites had never been taken into exile (v11), which led to a sense of complacency. The famous Moabite vineyards are used as an illustration, that their wine has settled on its dregs, and had not been decanted (v11). This complacency will be shattered, and Chemosh will be unable to be of any help, which will cause them to become ashamed of their principal god (v10-13). Their authority and strength will vanish when they come under God’s judgement (v17), and all their main towns are destroyed (v21-25).

The main reason for Moab’s downfall is their pride (v29), which other prophets also speak against (Is 16:6, 25:11, Zeph 2:8-11). Once Moab laughed at Israel, now it is Moab’s turn to be laughed at (v26). Jeremiah utters a lament for Moab, similar to Isaiah (v34-39, Is 15-16). The eagle of Babylon will fly swiftly and seize their strongholds and cities, and Moab will no longer be a people (v40).

The promise of restoration (48:47) is not included in the Septuagint, and is difficult to place historically. It could refer to the return of displaced people after Cyrus of Persia took Babylon in 539 BC. There is no mention of Moab in the period of the Maccabees. ‘In the latter days’ may be a Messianic prediction.

4. Ammon (49:1-6)

“Concerning the Ammonites. Thus says the Lord:” (v1)

The Ammonites were also descendants of Lot through his other daughter (Gen 19:37). The Israelites were commanded not to engage the Ammonites in battle (Deut 2:19).

There had been continuous conflict between Israel and Ammon since the days of the Exodus. The political situation was similar to Moab. They probably submitted to Babylon after Carchemish. Ammonites were used by Babylon to subdue Judah in 600 BC (2 Kg 24:2), but supported rebellions in 594 BC (27:3) and 588 BC. King Baalis of the Ammonites planned the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor of Judah appointed by the Babylonians (40:13). Ammon was probably invaded by Nebuchadnezzar in 582 BC. Later Arab invasions destroyed Moab, Edom and Ammon.

Milcom (v1) was the Ammonite God, otherwise known as Molech. Ammon occupied the land of Gad after the transjordan tribes were exiled by Tiglath-pileser III in 734 BC (2 Kg 15:29). The Ammonites also trusted in their treasures, and were complacent, thinking that no one would attack them (v4). The judgement is described as invasion and destruction by fire (v3). The promise of restoration (v6) could refer to when the region of Ammon became the Decapolis, a prosperous area during and after the Greek period.

5. Edom (49:7-22)

“Concerning Edom. Thus says the Lord:” (v7)

The land of Edom was the territory occupied by the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Gen 32:3, Num 24:18). It stretched from the River Zered on the border of Moab, south to the Gulf of Aqaba, including the wilderness of Edom. There were some fertile areas (Num 20:17,19). The King’s Highway crossed the eastern plateau (Num 20:14-18).

Edomite kings were consistently hostile to Israel (Gen 36:15-19,40-43, Num 20:14-21, Judges 11:17). However, the Israelites were forbidden to abuse the Edomites because they were related to them (Deut 23:7).

Prophecies against Edom were also given by Obadiah, and by Isaiah (Is 21:11-12, 34:5-17). There are similarities with the prophecies of Obadiah. The Edomites were conquered by Babylon after the battle of Carchemish, but plotted rebellion in 594 BC. They assisted Nebuchadnezzar in attacking Judah and gloated over the destruction of Jerusalem (Obadiah 11-14). In the third century BC, Edom was overrun by Nabataeans, and the Edomites fled to southern Judah (Idumea) and were subdued by Judas Maccabeus. They were later forcefully incorporated into the Jewish nation by John Hyrcanus.

Teman (v7) was a grandson of Esau (Gen 36:11), who was the ancestor of a tribe in the north of Edom, who were renowned for their wisdom. The Dedanites (v8) lived in north-western Arabia, and were an important group of traders.

Edom’s great sin was their pride, and trusting in their security in their hiding places in the clefts of rock (v16), which will be uncovered (v10). God will come in judgement as a lion coming out of the thickets of Jordan (v19). The destruction will be total, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah (v18).

6. Damascus, Hamath andArpad (49:23-27)

“Concerning Damascus” (v23)

After many years of conflict between Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel, Damascus was overthrown by Tiglath-pileser III in 731 BC. The city of Hamath rebelled against Sargon II in 720 BC, but was subdued. After the collapse of Assyria they were fairly independent, but probably submitted to Nebuchadnezzar after Carchemish. The precise historical situation of the prophecy is unclear. Aramean troops from Syria helped the Babylonians to subdue Judah between 600 and 597 BC (2 Kg 24:2).

Hamath and Arpad (v23) were two smaller northern Syrian city states, which fell to the Assyrians before 738 BC. Damascus, the capital city of Syria, had become feeble (v24). It had lost its political significance after it was incorporated into the Assyrian province of Hamath. They would be full of fear and panic when Nebuchadnezzar came, after which it was destroyed by fire (v27). The strongholds of Ben-hadad, the name of several kings of Syria (1 Kg 15:18, 20:1, 2 Kg 6:24, 8:7, 13:3), will be destroyed, with no hope for restoration.

7. Kedar and Hazor (49:28-33)

“Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon defeated.” (v28)

These were Arab tribes from the Syrian desert, east of Palestine. They were nomadic tribes, like the Bedouin, who bred sheep (Is 60:7), traded with Phoenicia (Ezek 27:21), and were skilled archers (Is 21:16). They plundered settled areas, especially when conditions in the desert were particularly difficult. They troubled Nebuchadnezzar, who raided them in 599/8 BC. The Hazor in this oracle is a different location from the town in northern Galilee.

They were a nation at ease, unprotected against invaders (v31), experiencing panic when the enemy attacked, and their tents would be destroyed (v29) and their camels taken (v29,32), with no hope for restoration.

8. Elam (49:33-39)

“The word of the Lord that came to the prophet Jeremiah concerning Elam, at the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah.” (v33)

This prophecy is dated in the year Zedekiah came to the throne (597 BC). Elam was an ancient area of civilisation and a significant nation in the land east of Babylon. It was finally subdued by Ashurbanipal of Assyria in 640 BC after many years of conflict. There was a clash between Nebuchadnezzar and Elam in 596/4 BC to prevent Elam advancing into Babylonia. In 540 BC, forces from Elam helped Cyrus to overthrow the Babylonian Empire.

The Elamites were famous for their archers (Is 22:6), but God will break their bow, the mainstay of their might (v35). The restoration promise (v39) is difficult to place historically, but Elam became the heart of the Persian Empire. There were also Elamites in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9).

9. Babylon (50:1-51:64)

“The word that the Lord spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by the prophet Jeremiah” (v1).

This is the longest prophecy, being as long as all the others put together, showing the great importance of Babylon. Judah, all the surrounding nations and finally Babylon will be judged. A large amount of material prophesied at different times has been brought together into one section. The words against Babylon were originally on a separate scroll (51:63).

No mention is made of the Persians, Nebuchadnezzar is still alive, so the prophecy was probably made before 562 BC. After Nebuchadnezzar's death, Babylon rapidly declined. Persia rose in power from 550 BC, finally conquering Babylon without destroying it in 539 BC, after which Cyrus decreed that exiled peoples may return home.

The main theme is the overthrow of Babylon and the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. Judgement will come as God’s vengeance (50:15), especially his vengeance for the destruction of the temple (50:28, 51:11). God’s people Israel are described as lost sheep, led astray by their shepherds (50:6), who will be released from captivity and saved by their redeemer (50:34). At that time, Israel will be led to repentance by the fall of her captor (50:4).

Judgement will come on Babylon from the north (50:3,9), and will involve the Medes (51:11). Their gods, Bel and Merodach (Marduk), will be shamed and dismayed (50:2). The great broad wall of the city will be levelled and he gates will be burned (51:58). God will bring punishment on the Babylonians, as he did on the Assyrians, after which Israel will be restored (50:18).

Babylon had been used as God’s tool of judgement on Judah and the other nations, but will now in turn be judged because of their brutality towards God’s people. The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with this same issue, asking how God could use an evil nation to judge his people (Hab 1:13). God replies, saying the Babylon will be judged later (Hab 2).

There are several passages predicting hope for Judah (50:4-7, 17-20, 33-34, 51:5-6, 10).

Enacted message (51:59-64)

The lengthy oracle against Babylon concludes with a section of narrative. Seraiah, the son of Neriah and brother of Baruch was the quartermaster of King Zedekiah (v59). He accompanied Zedekiah on a visit to Babylon in 594 BC, when Zedekiah was compelled to come to the city to pledge loyalty to King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah wrote all the words against Babylon on a scroll, and told Seraiah to take it to Babylon, where he was to read the words then tie a stone to the scroll and throw it into the River Euphrates. As he did so, he had to proclaim, “Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more, because of the disasters I am bringing on her.” (v64).

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