Jer 49:26 | KingComments | STEP | Judgment is also pronounced on Damascus ( ). Damascus is the capital of Syria, the land from which Israel – and Judah in particular – suffered greatly. It is also the city to which the grace of God is attached through the conversion of Saul when he is on his way there and where he also stays for some time as a converted Jew ( ). Hamath and Arpad are cities in northern Syria, taken first by Assyria and later by Nebuchadnezzar ( ). When these cities hear the news of an impending war, they melt away in fear. The inhabitants by the sea, to which they owe their prosperity, become filled with anxiety and restlessness that they cannot get rid of. Restlessness is a disaster in the life of a people and of an individual and a cause of much misery. There is no courage to resist the enemy who is coming ( ). All one can do is turn away and flee. The fear is deep, the distress is great and is compared to the contractions of a woman in childbirth. The city on which they have boasted and where they have had fun lies deserted because of their flight ( ). The praise and joy they think back on with melancholy is praise and joy without any thought of God. Therefore, it cannot endure. The Babylonians will come and kill the strength of the city, the young men and the men of war ( ). This says the LORD of hosts, Who governs all this. He will execute judgment on the town of their joy and the palaces of Ben-hadad, their king ( ; ). Several kings of Syria bear the name Ben-hadad. It is a title, as the kings of Egypt are called Pharaoh. Hadad is one of the gods of Syria and Ben means son. So they are called “son of Hadad.

‏ Jeremiah 49:26

Prophecy Concerning Damascus

Judgment is also pronounced on Damascus (Jer 49:23). Damascus is the capital of Syria, the land from which Israel – and Judah in particular – suffered greatly. It is also the city to which the grace of God is attached through the conversion of Saul when he is on his way there and where he also stays for some time as a converted Jew (Acts 9:1-25).

Hamath and Arpad are cities in northern Syria, taken first by Assyria and later by Nebuchadnezzar (Isa 36:19). When these cities hear the news of an impending war, they melt away in fear. The inhabitants by the sea, to which they owe their prosperity, become filled with anxiety and restlessness that they cannot get rid of. Restlessness is a disaster in the life of a people and of an individual and a cause of much misery.

There is no courage to resist the enemy who is coming (Jer 49:24). All one can do is turn away and flee. The fear is deep, the distress is great and is compared to the contractions of a woman in childbirth. The city on which they have boasted and where they have had fun lies deserted because of their flight (Jer 49:25). The praise and joy they think back on with melancholy is praise and joy without any thought of God. Therefore, it cannot endure.

The Babylonians will come and kill the strength of the city, the young men and the men of war (Jer 49:26). This says the LORD of hosts, Who governs all this. He will execute judgment on the town of their joy and the palaces of Ben-hadad, their king (Jer 49:27; Amos 1:4). Several kings of Syria bear the name Ben-hadad. It is a title, as the kings of Egypt are called Pharaoh. Hadad is one of the gods of Syria and Ben means son. So they are called “son of Hadad.