Jeremiah 49:13 Meaning and Explanation
“For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God swears by His own name that Edom's capital, Bozrah, will lie in perpetual ruin.
The Context of Jeremiah 49:13
God swears that Bozrah and Edomite cities will become permanent ruins.
What Does Jeremiah 49:13 Mean?
Bozrah was Edom's major city and likely its religious center. The oath 'by myself' (God's most binding form of covenant) emphasizes the certainty and solemnity of this judgment. The layered descriptions—'desolation,' 'reproach,' 'waste,' 'curse'—stress the severity and duration.
'Perpetual wastes' does not necessarily mean the cities remain empty forever, but that their ruin becomes the defining characteristic of the place. The curse becomes proverbial—travelers pointing to the ruins as evidence of divine judgment.
Jeremiah 49:13 in the Original Language
perpetual (עוֹלָם olam) — can mean 'forever' or 'for the distant future,' emphasizing duration beyond human lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 49:13
What does Jeremiah 49:13 mean?
God swears by His own name that Edom's capital, Bozrah, will lie in perpetual ruin.
What is the context of Jeremiah 49:13?
God swears that Bozrah and Edomite cities will become permanent ruins.