.49:23-27.

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A message concerning Damascus (Jer 49:23-27)

Damascus was the capital of the country that in ancient times was known as Aram and later became known as Syria. The city had been conquered by Assyria in 732 BC (2 Kings 16:9), but when Jeremiah began his ministry it was still occupied, having become a provincial centre within the Assyrian Empire.

Jeremiah now foresees that it is about to suffer the horrors of war and defeat again, because Babylon is about to conquer Assyria.

This prophecy must have been given early in Jeremiah’s career, for his ministry began in 627 BC, and Babylon’s conquest of Assyria occurred only fifteen years later, in 612 BC. Jeremiah sees the Syrians filled with fear and a sense of helplessness as they hear that Babylon’s armies are approaching (Jer 49:23-24).

Again Damascus is to become the scene of slaughter and destruction, as the Babylonian army ruthlessly takes over the city (Jer 49:25-27).