Jeremiah 49 - Introduction

Jeremiah 49:1-6 (LXX. Ch. Jeremiah 30:1-5). Prophecy against Ammon

Objections have been urged by Gi. to recognising this prophecy as Jeremianic, while it is of course rejected by many others together with the rest of the prophecies against foreign nations (see introd. note on chs. 46 51). Gi."s objections, however, may be met to a considerable extent by the hypothesis of later additions to the original utterance. Moreover, as Co. remarks, it is only natural to find a nation so closely connected with Israelitish history included in the list. He himself takes a favourable view of its genuineness in the main.

The Ammonite territory was E. of Jordan, having the portion (Joshua 13:14-28) assigned to Gad (itself E. of Jordan) on its W. When the inhabitants of Gad were carried off by Tiglath-pileser III in b.c. 734 (2 Kings 15:29) the Ammonites doubtless took advantage of the occasion to possess themselves of that region.

The section may be summarized thus.

Jeremiah 49:1. Has Israel no heirs of its own, that the people of Milcom possess the cities of Gad? But Rabbah shall yet be laid desolate, and then Israel shall recover its rights. The cities of Ammon may cry out for their god and his priests and people shall be taken captive. Glory not, O rebellious daughter, in thy fertile valley or thy riches. Thou shalt be panic-stricken and driven forth. Yet at the last thou shalt be restored.