Bible Strands
Jeremiah 49:31
Rise up, advance against a nation at ease, one that dwells securely,” declares the LORD. “They have no gates or bars; they live alone.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks through Jeremiah to command the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar to mobilize against Hazor. This occurs immediately after a warning to Hazor’s residents to flee, marking the transition from divine warning to impending execution of judgment.
The words — The dual imperative ק֣וּמוּ (Ku.mu) means "arise" and עֲל֗וּ ('a.Lu) means "go up," pressing for immediate military movement. The adverbial phrase לָ/בֶ֖טַח (la./Ve.tach) translates to "in security" or "to safety," highlighting the target's false sense of invulnerability.
The thread — The pattern of invading a secure, isolated settlement appears in Ezekiel 38:11, which describes an assault on unwalled villages. It contrasts with the secure dwelling of Israel in Deuteronomy 33:28 and parallels the isolated settlement described in Numbers 23:9.
Why it lands — The text requires acknowledging that structural defenses and geographic isolation cannot prevent divine judgment. It compels the reader to abandon reliance on human security and submit to the authority of the speaker.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the Lord, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 38:11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a quiet people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates—
- Numbers 23:9 For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.
- Deuteronomy 33:28 So Israel dwells securely; the fountain of Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine, where even the heavens drip with dew.
- Isaiah 47:8 So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’
- Micah 7:14 Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
- Judges 18:7 So the five men departed and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living securely, like the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting. There was nothing lacking in the land and no oppressive ruler. And they were far away from the Sidonians and had no alliance with anyone.
- Psalms 123:4 We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud.
- Isaiah 32:9 Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Give ear to my word, you overconfident daughters.
- Isaiah 32:11 Shudder, you ladies of leisure; tremble, you daughters of complacency. Strip yourselves bare and put sackcloth around your waists.
- Jeremiah 48:11 Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs; he has not been poured from vessel to vessel or gone into exile. So his flavor has remained the same, and his aroma is unchanged.