Jeremiah 49:16
New International Version
The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

New Living Translation
You have been deceived by the fear you inspire in others and by your own pride. You live in a rock fortress and control the mountain heights. But even if you make your nest among the peaks with the eagles, I will bring you crashing down,” says the LORD.

English Standard Version
The horror you inspire has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, you who live in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as the eagle’s, I will bring you down from there, declares the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
The terror you cause and the pride of your heart have deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, O occupiers of the mountain summit. Though you elevate your nest like the eagle, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

King James Bible
Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.

New King James Version
Your fierceness has deceived you, The pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,” says the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
“As for the terror you cause, The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, You who live in the clefts of the rock, Who occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle’s, I will bring you down from there,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1995
“As for the terror of you, The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock, Who occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle’s, I will bring you down from there,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1977
“As for the terror of you, The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock, Who occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle’s, I will bring you down from there,” declares the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
As for the terror of you, The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Who seize the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle’s, I will bring you down from there,” declares Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
“As for Your terror, The pride and arrogance of your heart have deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock (Sela also called Petra), Who hold and occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as the eagle’s, I will bring you down from there,” says the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
As to the terror you cause, your arrogant heart has deceived you. You who live in the clefts of the rock, you who occupy the mountain summit, though you elevate your nest like the eagles, even from there I will bring you down. This is the LORD’s declaration.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As to the terror you cause, your presumptuous heart has deceived you. You who live in the clefts of the rock, you who occupy the mountain summit, though you elevate your nest like the eagle, even from there I will bring you down. This is the LORD’s declaration.

American Standard Version
As for thy terribleness, the pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Pride tricks you into thinking that other nations look at you with fear. You live along the cliffs and high in the mountains like the eagles, but I am the LORD, and I will bring you down.

English Revised Version
As for thy terribleness, the pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You have frightened other people. Your arrogance has deceived you. You live on rocky cliffs and occupy the highest places in the hills. Even though you build your nest as high as an eagle, I will bring you down from there," declares the LORD.

Good News Translation
Your pride has deceived you. No one fears you as much as you think they do. You live on the rocky cliffs, high on top of the mountain; but even though you live as high up as an eagle, the LORD will bring you down. The LORD has spoken."

International Standard Version
The terror you cause and the pride of your heart have deceived you. You who live in hidden places in the rocks, who hold on to the heights of the hill, although you make your nest high like the eagle, I'll bring you down from there," declares the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
The terror you cause and the pride of your heart have deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, O occupiers of the mountain summit. Though you elevate your nest like the eagle, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

NET Bible
The terror you inspire in others and the arrogance of your heart have deceived you. You may make your home in the clefts of the rocks; you may occupy the highest places in the hills. But even if you made your home where the eagles nest, I would bring you down from there," says the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
As for your terror, the pride of your heart has deceived you, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill: though you should make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there," says the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thy heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the hight of the hill: though thou shouldst make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.

World English Bible
As for your terror, the pride of your heart has deceived you, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill, though you should make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,” says Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Your terribleness has lifted you up, "" The pride of your heart, "" O dweller in clefts of the rock, "" Holding the high place of the height, "" For you make your nest high as an eagle, "" From there I bring you down, "" A declaration of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
Thy terribleness hath lifted thee up, The pride of thy heart, O dweller in clefts of the rock, Holding the high place of the height, For thou makest high as an eagle thy nest, From thence I bring thee down, An affirmation of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thy terror deceived thee, the pride of thy heart, thou dwelling in the asylums of the rock, holding the height of the hill: if thou shalt make thy nest high as the eagle, from thence will I bring thee down, says Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thy arrogancy hath deceived thee, and the pride of thy heart: O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, and endeavourest to lay hold on the height of the hill : but though thou shouldst make thy nest as high as an eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Your arrogance has deceived you, by the pride of your heart, you who live in the caverns of the rock and who strive to take hold of the height of the hill. But even if you make your nest like that of an eagle, I will pull you down from there, says the Lord.

New American Bible
The terror you spread, the pride of your heart, beguiled you. You denizens of rocks and crevices, occupying towering peaks: Though you build your nest high as the eagle, from there I will bring you down—oracle of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill. Although you make your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down, says the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Your wickedness has deceived you, and the pride of your heart. O you that dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill; who say in your hearts, Who can bring us down to the ground? though you make your nest among the stars, and though you make your nest as high as the eagle's, I will bring you down from there, says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Your evil and the pride of your heart has deceived you who dwell on the cliffs of stone and hold on the high place of the hills. And he said in his heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” If among the stars you put your nest, and if you exalt your nest as the eagle, from there I shall bring you down, says LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, Even the pride of thy heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, That holdest the height of the hill; Though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thine insolence has risen up against thee, the fierceness of thine heart has burst the holes of the rocks, it has seized upon the strength of a lofty hill; for as an eagle he set his nest on high: thence will I bring thee down.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on Edom
15“For behold, I will make you small among nations, despised among men. 16The terror you cause and the pride of your heart have deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, O occupiers of the mountain summit. Though you elevate your nest like the eagle, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. 17“Edom will become an object of horror. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff at all her wounds.…

Cross References
Obadiah 1:3-4
The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 14:13-15
You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” / But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.

Ezekiel 35:3-5
and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Mount Seir. I will stretch out My hand against you and make you a desolate waste. / I will turn your cities into ruins, and you will become a desolation. Then you will know that I am the LORD. / Because you harbored an ancient hatred and delivered the Israelites over to the sword in the time of their disaster at the final stage of their punishment,

Isaiah 2:12-17
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled— / against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan, / against all the tall mountains, against all the high hills, ...

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Isaiah 13:19-22
And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. / She will never be inhabited or settled from generation to generation; no nomad will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flock there. / But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. ...

Isaiah 34:11-15
The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom a measuring line of chaos and a plumb line of destruction. / No nobles will be left to proclaim a king, and all her princes will come to nothing. / Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches. ...

Ezekiel 25:12-14
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Malachi 1:3-4
but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” / Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever.

Isaiah 47:10-11
You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’ / But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly.

Isaiah 10:12-14
So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes. / For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”

Isaiah 14:22-23
“I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will cut off from Babylon her name and her remnant, her offspring and her posterity,” declares the LORD. / “I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Isaiah 33:16
he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.

Isaiah 26:5
For He has humbled those who dwell on high; He lays the lofty city low. He brings it down to the ground; He casts it into the dust.

Isaiah 2:10-11
Go into the rocks and hide in the dust from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty. / The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.


Treasury of Scripture

Your terribleness has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, O you that dwell in the clefts of the rock, that hold the height of the hill: though you should make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there, said the LORD.

terribleness

Jeremiah 48:29
We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

dwellest

Song of Solomon 2:14
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

Isaiah 2:21
To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

though

Jeremiah 48:28
O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.

Job 39:27
Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

Isaiah 14:13-15
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: …

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Jeremiah 49
1. The judgment of the Ammonites
6. Their restoration
7. The judgment of Edom
23. of Damascus
28. of Kedar
30. of Hazor
34. and of Elam
39. The restoration of Elam














The terror you cause
This phrase refers to the fear and intimidation that the Edomites instilled in others due to their strategic military prowess and fortified positions. Historically, Edom was known for its formidable defenses and aggressive tactics. The Hebrew root for "terror" (פַּחַד, pachad) conveys a sense of dread or fear, often associated with divine judgment. This highlights the irony that the very fear they instilled would contribute to their downfall, as their reliance on terror rather than God led to their deception.

and the pride of your heart
Pride is a recurring theme in the Bible, often leading to downfall. The Hebrew word for "pride" (גָּאוֹן, gaon) suggests arrogance and self-exaltation. The Edomites' pride stemmed from their perceived invincibility due to their geographical advantages and military strength. Biblically, pride is seen as a sin that separates individuals from God, as it fosters self-reliance rather than dependence on Him. This pride blinded the Edomites to their vulnerabilities and ultimately led to their deception.

have deceived you
Deception here is self-inflicted, a result of misplaced confidence. The Hebrew root (נָשָׁא, nasha) implies being led astray or beguiled. The Edomites were deceived by their own pride and sense of security, failing to recognize their need for God. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-deception and the importance of humility before God.

O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks
This phrase paints a vivid picture of the Edomites' geographical stronghold. The "clefts of the rocks" refer to the rugged terrain of Edom, particularly the rock-hewn city of Petra. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of these fortified dwellings, which provided natural defense. Spiritually, this imagery underscores the false security found in earthly strongholds, reminding believers that true security is found only in God.

O occupiers of the mountain heights
The Edomites' position in the "mountain heights" symbolizes their elevated status and perceived invulnerability. Mountains in biblical literature often represent strength and stability. However, the Edomites' reliance on their high position led to complacency. This serves as a metaphor for the futility of trusting in worldly power and status, as opposed to seeking refuge in the Lord.

Though you elevate your nest like the eagle
The eagle is a symbol of strength and freedom, known for its high nests and keen vision. The Edomites' attempt to "elevate" themselves reflects their desire for supremacy and control. The Hebrew imagery here suggests an aspiration to rise above others, yet it also foreshadows their inevitable fall. This illustrates the biblical principle that those who exalt themselves will be humbled by God.

even from there I will bring you down
This declaration by the LORD emphasizes His sovereignty and power over all nations. The phrase "bring you down" (יָרַד, yarad) signifies a humbling or lowering. Despite their lofty position, the Edomites could not escape God's judgment. This serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority and the futility of resisting His will. It encourages believers to trust in God's justice and to remain humble before Him.

declares the LORD
The phrase "declares the LORD" (נְאֻם יְהוָה, ne'um YHWH) is a prophetic formula affirming the certainty and authority of God's word. It underscores that the message is not merely Jeremiah's opinion but a divine pronouncement. This assurance of God's involvement provides comfort to believers, affirming that God's promises and judgments are trustworthy and will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.

(16) Thy terribleness hath deceived thee.--The substantive does not occur elsewhere. Etymo-logically it may mean "terror of," or "object of terror;" but a cognate word is found in 1Kings 15:13; 2Chronicles 15:16 in the sense of an "idol," probably of the Phallic or Priapus type, and that is probably the meaning. Such an idol is called scornfully the horror of Edom, just as the God of Israel was "the fear of Isaac" (Genesis 31:42). So Milton speaks of Chemosh as the "obscene dread of Moab's sons" (Par. Lost, I. 406.)

O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock.--Better, perhaps, in the fortresses of Sela. The words describe with a wonderful vividness the aspect of the rock-fortresses of Edom, the cities built into a ravine. The remains of Petra (the Sela of 2Kings 14:7; Isaiah 16:1), commonly referred to as illustrating this description, are, it must be remembered, of Roman origin; but there can be little doubt that it occupied the site of an earlier city, and that there were other fortresses, even more like the eagle's nest, perched upon the summit of the crags. In Job 39:27-30 we have a picture of the eagle's nest drawn by a writer who was probably familiar with these rock fortresses. . . .

Verse 16. - Thy terribleness. This is certainly the best rendering of this ἅπαξ λεγόμενον. The "terribleness" of Edom consisted in the fact that the other nations shrank from disturbing her in her rocky fastness. In the clefts of the rock. Probably with an allusion to the rock city Sela, or Petra ("rock"); as perhaps in "the height of the hill" to the situation of Bozrah; see on ver. 13 (Graf). As the eagle. Not any eagle is meant, but the griffon (Gypsfulvus), or great vulture (Tristram).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The terror you cause
תִּֽפְלַצְתְּךָ֞ (tip̄·laṣ·tə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8606: A shuddering, horror

and the pride of your
זְד֣וֹן (zə·ḏō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2087: Insolence, presumptuousness

heart
לִבֶּ֔ךָ (lib·be·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

have deceived
הִשִּׁ֤יא (hiš·šî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5377: To lead astray, to delude, to seduce

you,
אֹתָךְ֙ (’ō·ṯāḵ)
Direct object marker | second person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

O dwellers
שֹֽׁכְנִי֙ (šō·ḵə·nî)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

in the clefts
בְּחַגְוֵ֣י (bə·ḥaḡ·wê)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2288: Places of concealment, retreats

of the rocks,
הַסֶּ֔לַע (has·se·la‘)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5553: A craggy rock

O occupiers
תֹּפְשִׂ֖י (tō·p̄ə·śî)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8610: To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably

of the mountain
גִּבְעָ֑ה (giḇ·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1389: A hillock

summit.
מְר֣וֹם (mə·rō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4791: Altitude

Though
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you elevate
תַגְבִּ֤יהַ (ṯaḡ·bî·ha)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1361: To soar, be lofty, to be haughty

your nest
קִנֶּ֔ךָ (qin·ne·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7064: A nest, the nestlings, a chamber, dwelling

like the eagle,
כַּנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ (kan·ne·šer)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5404: The eagle

even from there
מִשָּׁ֥ם (miš·šām)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

I will bring you down,”
אֽוֹרִידְךָ֖ (’ō·w·rî·ḏə·ḵā)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 49:16 As for your terror the pride (Jer.)
Jeremiah 49:15
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