Jeremiah 49:34 - Meaning and Application

This prophecy is dated to the beginning of Zedekiah’s reign, and it is likely that the other prophecies against the nations before it were given at the same time. The Elamites were the Persians, descended from Elam, the son of Shem (Genesis 10:22). Some think this refers only to that part of Persia near the Jews, called Elymais, which bordered Media. They had acted against God’s people, carried the quiver in war against them (Isaiah 22:6), and so they are counted with the other nations here.

The prophecy says, in general, that God will bring disaster on them, even his fierce anger. That alone is evil enough, because it contains every other evil in it (Jeremiah 49:37). In particular, their power will be broken and made useless. The Elamites were famous archers, but God says, “I will break the bow of Elam” (Jeremiah 49:35). He will ruin their weapons, and then the chief part of their strength is gone. God often allows the very thing we trust most to fail first, so what seemed to be our main strength becomes our weakest help.

Their people will also be scattered. Enemies will come against them from every direction, and they will carry some of them away as captives into their own lands. Others will flee in different directions to save themselves, so that there will be no nation where the outcasts of Elam will not be found (Jeremiah 49:36). The storm will come from the four winds, from one side and then another, tossing them about. We do not know from which direction trouble may come, but if God surrounds us with his favor, we are safe and can rest, no matter which way the storm blows. Fear will drive them into other countries, and they will be shaken before their enemies. Yet God says, “I will send the sword after them” (Jeremiah 49:37). God can make his judgments follow people who think they can escape by running away. Evil keeps chasing sinners.

Their princes will be destroyed, and their government will be completely changed (Jeremiah 49:38). God says, “I will set my throne in Elam.” This may mean the throne of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, or the throne of Cyrus, who began his conquests with Elymais. Or it may point to God’s own throne of judgment. In that case, God would be showing them that he rules, that he judges the earth, and that kings and rulers answer to him. Long before, the king of Elam was well known, like Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, in Genesis 14:1. He was a mighty man in his day, and the nations around him served him. But to God, the king of Elam is no different from any other man. When God sets his throne in Elam, he will remove the king and princes there and raise up whoever he chooses.

Yet Elam’s ruin will not last forever (Jeremiah 49:39). “In the latter days I will bring back the captivity of Elam.” When Cyrus destroyed Babylon and brought the empire under Persian rule, the Elamites likely returned with honor from the lands where they had been scattered and settled again in their own country. But this promise would have its fullest and chief fulfillment in the days of the Messiah. Then we find Elamites among those who, when the Holy Spirit was given, heard the wonderful works of God spoken in their own language (Acts 2:9, Acts 2:11). That is the most desirable kind of return from captivity. If the Son sets you free, then you will be free indeed.