Daily Tanach – Yirmiyahu Chapter 49 – Prophecies Against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam (Tuesday, 3rd Teves)

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Chapter 49 – Prophecies Against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam

1. Judgment on Ammon (49:1–6)

G‑d rebukes Ammon for seizing the territory of Gad and settling its cities. He announces that Rabbah, the capital of Ammon, will become a desolate mound, and its villages will burn. Malcam, their idol, along with priests and princes, will go into exile. Despite boasting in fertile valleys and treasures, Ammon will face terror from surrounding nations and be driven away. Yet, G‑d promises that at the end of days, He will restore Ammon’s captivity.

2. Judgment on Edom (49:7–22)

Edom’s famed wisdom will fail, and its strongholds will fall. G‑d declares that He will expose Esav’s hidden places, leaving him defenseless. His descendants and allies will be destroyed. Edom’s pride in dwelling in rocky heights will not save it; even if it raises its nest like an eagle, G‑d will bring it down. Bozrah and all Edomite cities will become perpetual wastelands, like Sodom and Amorah. The devastation will be so great that the earth will quake, and Edom’s warriors will tremble like a woman in labor. The destroyer will swoop down like an eagle, spreading wings over Bozrah.

3. Judgment on Damascus (49:23–27)

Damascus will be seized with fear as calamity approaches. Hamath and Arpad will melt in despair. The once-proud city will lose its strength, and its young men will fall in the streets. G‑d will kindle a fire in Damascus, consuming the palaces of Ben-Hadad.

4. Judgment on Kedar and Hazor (49:28–33)

Nebuchadnetzar will attack Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, plundering tents, flocks, and camels. Terror will surround them as they flee and hide in remote places. Hazor will become a haunt for jackals, desolate forever, with no inhabitants.

5. Judgment on Elam (49:34–39)

In the early reign of Tzidkiyahu, G‑d speaks against Elam, declaring that He will break its bow—the source of its strength—and scatter its people to the four winds. Elam will face destruction by sword and wrath until it is utterly consumed. G‑d will set His throne in Elam, removing its kings and princes. Yet, at the end of days, G‑d promises to restore Elam’s fortunes.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.