38 See the study note on for the rendering of this term.
39 “The pasture-ground on the everflowing river” according to 42 I אֵיתָן 1. The “everflowing river” refers to the Jordan.
40 Heb “Behold, like a lion comes up from the thicket of the Jordan into the pastureland of everflowing water so [reading כֵּן (ken) for כִּי (ki); or “indeed” (reading כִּי as an asseverative particle with J. A. Thompson, Jeremiah [], , n. 6)] I will suddenly chase him [Edom] from upon it [the land].” The sentence has been restructured to better conform with contemporary English style and the significance of the simile drawn from the comparison has been spelled out for the sake of clarity. The form אַרְגִּיעָה (’argi’ah) is functioning here as an adverbial modifier in a verbal hendiadys (cf. §120.g).
41 For the use of the interrogative מִי (mi) in the sense of “whoever” and functioning like an adjective see 567 מִי g and compare the usage in Prov 9:4, 16.
42 For the meaning of this verb in the sense of “arraign” or “call before the bar of justice” compare Job 9:19 and see 417 יָעַד Hiph.
43 The interrogative מִי (mi) is rendered “there is no one” in each of the last three occurrences in this verse because it is used in a rhetorical question that expects the answer “no one” or “none” and is according to 566 מִי f(c) equivalent to a rhetorical negative.
44 The word “shepherd” (רֹעֶה, ro’eh) has been used often in the book of Jeremiah to refer metaphorically to the ruler or leader (cf. 945 I רָעָה Qal.1.d(2) and compare usage, e.g., in Jer 2:8; 23:1).
45 Heb “Therefore listen to the plan of the Lord which he has planned against Edom, and the purposes which he has purposed against …” The first person has again been adopted in the translation to avoid the shift from the first person address in v. 19 to the third person in v. 20, a shift that is common in Hebrew poetry, particularly Hebrew prophecy, but which is not common in contemporary English literature.
46 Teman here appears to be a poetic equivalent for Edom, a common figure of speech in Hebrew poetry where the part is put for the whole. “The people of Teman” is thus equivalent to all the people of Edom.
47 Heb “They will surely drag them off, namely the young ones of the flock. He will devastate their habitation [or their sheepfold] on account of them.” The figure of the lion among the flock of sheep appears to be carried on here where the people are referred to as a flock and their homeland is referred to as a sheepfold. It is hard, however, to carry the figure over here into the translation, so the figures have been interpreted instead. Both of these last two sentences are introduced by a formula that indicates a strong affirmative oath (i.e., they are introduced by אִם לֹא [’im lo’; cf. 50 אִם 1.b(2)]). The subject of the verb “they will drag them off” is the indefinite third plural which may be taken as a passive in English (cf. §144.g). The subject of the last line is the Lord which has been rendered in the first person for stylistic reasons (see the translator’s note on the beginning of the verse).
48 Heb “The earth will quake when at the sound of their downfall.” However, as in many other places “earth” stands here metonymically for the inhabitants or people of the earth (see E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech, , and compare usage in 2 Sam 15:23; Ps 66:4).
49 Heb “the Red Sea,” of which the Gulf of Aqaba formed the northeastern arm. The land of Edom once reached this far according to 1 Kgs 9:26.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Behold, like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make him run away from her. And I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me? Therefore hear the plan that the Lord has made against Edom and the purposes that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman: Even the little ones of the flock shall be dragged away. Surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate. At the sound of their fall the earth shall tremble; the sound of their cry shall be heard at the Red Sea.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thickets

to a rich pastureland,

I will chase Edom from its land in an instant.

Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this?

Who is like me and who can challenge me?

And what shepherd can stand against me?”

Therefore, hear what the Lord has planned against Edom,

what he has purposed against those who live in Teman:

The young of the flock will be dragged away;

their pasture will be appalled at their fate.

At the sound of their fall the earth will tremble;

their cry will resound to the Red Sea.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“Look, it will be like a lion coming from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered grazing land. I will chase Edom away from her land in a flash. I will appoint whoever is chosen for her. For who is like me? Who will issue me a summons? Who is the shepherd who can stand against me?”

Therefore, hear the plans that the Lord has drawn up against Edom and the strategies he has devised against the people of Teman: The flock’s little lambs will certainly be dragged away, and their grazing land will be made desolate because of them. At the sound of their fall the earth will quake; the sound of her cry will be heard at the Red Sea.

NLTNew Living Translation

I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan,

leaping on the sheep in the pasture.

I will chase Edom from its land,

and I will appoint the leader of my choice.

For who is like me, and who can challenge me?

What ruler can oppose my will?”

Listen to the Lord’s plans against Edom

and the people of Teman.

Even the little children will be dragged off like sheep,

and their homes will be destroyed.

The earth will shake with the noise of Edom’s fall,

and its cry of despair will be heard all the way to the Red Sea.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Look, like a lion he comes up from the thickets of the Jordan

to a pastureland by a constantly flowing stream.

So I will chase him away hurriedly from it.

And whoever is chosen I will appoint over it.

For who is like me, and who can summon me?

And who is this, the shepherd who can stand before me?”

Therefore hear the plan of Yahweh that he has planned against Edom,

and his plans that he has planned against the inhabitants of Teman.

Surely they will drag them away,

the little ones of the flock.

Surely he will cause to be desolated over them

their grazing place.

The earth will quake from the sound of their falling.

A cry of distress! Their voice will be heard at the Red Sea.

KJV 1900King James Version

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan

Against the habitation of the strong:

But I will suddenly make him run away from her:

And who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her?

For who is like me? and who will appoint me the time?

And who is that shepherd that will stand before me?

Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord,

That he hath taken against Edom;

And his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman:

Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out:

Surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.

The earth is moved at the noise of their fall,

At the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.

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