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Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 49 - Verse 36

49:36
And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.

Meaning

The verse "And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come." is a prophecy found in the book of Jeremiah (49:36) regarding the fate of the people of Elam. Elam was an ancient kingdom located in what is now southwestern Iran. The imagery of the four winds symbolizes a complete and thorough scattering or dispersal of the Elamites to various parts of the world. The verse suggests that no nation will be able to escape the outcasts of Elam, indicating that they will be scattered far and wide, with no place of refuge. This prophecy serves as a warning of the widespread devastation and exile that the people of Elam will face as a consequence of their actions. The verse highlights the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring judgment upon nations for their disobedience.

Theological Overview

Elam is a region that was located in what is now modern-day Iran. In this verse, the mention of the four winds represents a widespread scattering of the people of Elam. The four winds, coming from the four directions of the compass, symbolize the extent to which this scattering will take place. The use of this imagery conveys the idea of complete dispersion and exile of the people of Elam, with no corner of the earth being left untouched by this punishment. The outcasts of Elam referred to in the verse are those who are driven out from their homeland and forced to wander to foreign lands. This verse serves as a stark warning of the consequences of disobedience and serves as a reminder of the power of God to judge and punish those who turn away from Him.

American Standard Version

And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
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