.49:34-39.

Back to Contents

A message concerning Elam (Jer 49:34-39)

The message concerning the ancient kingdom of Elam came at the beginning of Zedekiah’s reign. At that time Zedekiah was trying to form an alliance with other nations west of Babylon, with the aim of resisting the spread of Babylon’s power (Jer 49:34; cf. Jer 27:1-3,12).

Jeremiah’s message here shows that Zedekiah was wasting his time. Babylon’s power will spread so widely that even countries to its east, such as Elam, will be overthrown (Jer 49:35-38).

But Elam’s overthrow will not be permanent (Jer 49:39).

History records that Elam later became part of Persia, which in turn conquered Babylon (Ezra 1:2).