Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’ New Living Translation You are proud of your fertile valleys, but they will soon be ruined. You trusted in your wealth, you rebellious daughter, and thought no one could ever harm you. English Standard Version Why do you boast of your valleys, O faithless daughter, who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’ Berean Standard Bible Why do you boast of your valleys—your valleys so fruitful, O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, ‘Who can come against me?’ Berean Literal Bible Why do you boast in the valleys, the flowing of your valley, O backsliding daughter, the one trusting in her treasures: ‘Who will come against me?’ King James Bible Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? New King James Version Why do you boast in the valleys, Your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? Who trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’ New American Standard Bible “How you boast about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, You backsliding daughter Who trusts in her treasures, saying, ‘Who can come against me?’ NASB 1995 “How boastful you are about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, O backsliding daughter Who trusts in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’ NASB 1977 “How boastful you are about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, O backsliding daughter Who trusts in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’ Legacy Standard Bible How boastful you are about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, O faithless daughter Who trusts in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’ Amplified Bible “Why do you boast of your valleys? Your valley is flowing away, [O Ammon] rebellious and faithless daughter Who trusts in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come against me?’ Berean Annotated Bible Why do you boast of your valleys—your valleys so fruitful (your valleys flowing), O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, ‘Who can come against me? Christian Standard Bible Why do you boast about your valleys, your flowing valley, you faithless daughter — you who trust in your treasures and say, “Who can attack me? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Why do you brag about your valleys, your flowing valley, you faithless daughter? You who trust in your treasures and boast, “Who can attack me?” American Standard Version Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? Contemporary English Version You rebellious Ammonites trust your wealth and ask, "Who could attack us?" But I warn you not to boast when your strength is fading. English Revised Version Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me? GOD'S WORD® Translation Why do you brag about your valleys, your fertile valleys, you unfaithful people? You trust your treasures. You think, "Who would attack me?" Good News Translation Why do you unfaithful people boast? Your strength is failing. Why do you trust in your power and say that no one would dare attack you? International Standard Version Why do you boast in your valleys? Your valley is flowing away, faithless daughter, who trusted in her treasures, saying, 'Who will come against me?' NET Bible Why do you brag about your great power? Your power is ebbing away, you rebellious people of Ammon, who trust in your riches and say, 'Who would dare to attack us?' New Heart English Bible Why do you glory in the valleys, your flowing valley, backsliding daughter? You who trusted in her treasures, saying, "Who shall come to me?" Webster's Bible Translation Why gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come to me? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhy do you boast of your valleys—your valleys so fruitful, O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, ‘Who can come against me?’ World English Bible Why do you boast in the valleys, your flowing valley, backsliding daughter? You trusted in her treasures, saying, ‘Who will come to me?’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhy do you boast yourself in valleys? Your valley is flowing, "" O backsliding daughter, "" Who is trusting in her treasures: Who comes to me? Berean Literal Bible Why do you boast in the valleys, the flowing of your valley, O backsliding daughter, the one trusting in her treasures: ‘Who will come against me?’ Young's Literal Translation What -- dost thou boast thyself in valleys? Flowed hath thy valley, O backsliding daughter, Who is trusting in her treasures: Who doth come in unto me? Smith's Literal Translation Wherefore wilt thou boast in the valleys, thy valley flowing away, O daughter turning away? trusting in her treasures, Who shall come to me? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhy gloriest thou in the valleys? thy valley hath flowed away, O delicate daughter, that hast trusted in thy treasures, and hast said: Who shall come to me? Catholic Public Domain Version Why have you gloried in the valleys? Your valley has flowed away, O delicate daughter, for you had confidence in your treasures, and you were saying, ‘Who can approach me?’ New American Bible Why boast in your strength, your ebbing strength, rebellious daughter? Why trust in your treasures, saying, “Who would dare attack me?” New Revised Standard Version Why do you boast in your strength? Your strength is ebbing, O faithless daughter. You trusted in your treasures, saying, “Who will attack me?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhy do you glory in your valleys and trust in your broad plains, O beloved daughter who trusts in her treasures, saying, Who shall come against me? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Why do you glory in your valleys and you trust on your broad valleys, beloved daughter who trusts on her treasures, and says: “Who will come against me?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, Thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? That didst trust in thy treasures: 'Who shall come unto me?' Brenton Septuagint Translation Why do ye exult in the plains of the Enakim, thou haughty daughter, that trustest in thy treasures, that sayest, Who shall come in to me? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Judgment on the Ammonites…3Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai has been destroyed; cry out, O daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn; run back and forth within your walls, for Milcom will go into exile together with his priests and officials. 4Why do you boast of your valleys— your valleys so fruitful, O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, ‘Who can come against me?’ 5Behold, I am about to bring terror upon you, declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, from all those around you. You will each be driven headlong, with no one to regather the fugitives.… Cross References Why do you boast of your valleys— Psalm 52:1 For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. Obadiah 1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Isaiah 2:11-12 The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. / For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled— your valleys so fruitful, Deuteronomy 8:7-10 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills; / a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; / a land where you will eat food without scarcity, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and whose hills are ready to be mined for copper. … Genesis 13:10 And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Psalm 65:9-13 You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth. / You soak its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its growth. / You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your paths overflow with plenty. … O faithless daughter? Jeremiah 3:6-8 Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. / I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. / She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. Isaiah 1:21 See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! Hosea 2:2-5 Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. / Otherwise, I will strip her naked and expose her like the day of her birth. I will make her like a desert and turn her into a parched land, and I will let her die of thirst. / I will have no compassion on her children, because they are the children of adultery. … You trust in your riches Psalm 52:7 “Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.” Psalm 49:6-7 They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. and say, ‘Who can come against me?’ Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Isaiah 47:8-10 So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’ / These two things will overtake you in a moment, in a single day: loss of children, and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells. / You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’ Isaiah 10:12-14 So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes. / For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” Treasury of Scripture Why glory you in the valleys, your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come to me? gloriest Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: Isaiah 28:1-4 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! … Isaiah 47:7,8 And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it… thy flowing valley. Jeremiah 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. Hosea 4:16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place. trusted Jeremiah 48:7 For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together. Psalm 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; Psalm 52:7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. Who Jeremiah 49:16 Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 21:13 Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations? Jump to Previous Account Attack Backsliding Boast Boastful Daughter Faith Faithless Flow Flowed Flowing Fruitful Gloriest Glory Lifted Pride Puts Riches Thyself Treasures Trust Trusted Trusteth Trusts Turning Unfaithful Valley Valleys Wealth Wherefore WhoJump to Next Account Attack Backsliding Boast Boastful Daughter Faith Faithless Flow Flowed Flowing Fruitful Gloriest Glory Lifted Pride Puts Riches Thyself Treasures Trust Trusted Trusteth Trusts Turning Unfaithful Valley Valleys Wealth Wherefore WhoJeremiah 49 1. The judgment of the Ammonites6. Their restoration 7. The judgment of Edom 23. of Damascus 28. of Kedar 30. of Hazor 34. and of Elam 39. The restoration of Elam Why do you boast of your valleys— The valleys referred to here are likely the fertile regions of Ammon, known for their agricultural productivity. In the ancient Near East, valleys were often seen as symbols of prosperity and security due to their ability to sustain crops and livestock. The rhetorical question challenges the misplaced confidence in material wealth and natural resources, which are ultimately transient and unreliable. your valleys so fruitful, O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, ‘Who can come against me?’ Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment of God upon Judah and the surrounding nations. 2. Ammonites A people descended from Lot, often in conflict with Israel. Jeremiah 49:4 is part of a prophecy against them. 3. Valleys Symbolic of the fertile and prosperous regions that the Ammonites boasted about, representing their false sense of security. 4. Faithless Daughter A metaphor for the Ammonites, indicating their unfaithfulness and misplaced trust in material wealth and geographical advantages. 5. Treasures Refers to the wealth and resources that the Ammonites relied upon instead of trusting in God. Teaching Points False Security in Material WealthThe Ammonites' trust in their treasures and fertile valleys serves as a warning against placing our security in material possessions. True security comes from God alone. The Danger of Pride Boasting in one's own strength or resources can lead to downfall. Humility and reliance on God are essential for true strength. Faithfulness to God Being called a "faithless daughter" highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God. Our identity and security should be rooted in Him, not in worldly assets. God's Sovereignty Over Nations The prophecy against the Ammonites reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations and their destinies. No earthly power can stand against His will. Self-Examination This passage encourages us to examine where we place our trust. Are we relying on our own resources, or are we trusting in God's provision and protection? Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 49:4?2. How does Jeremiah 49:4 warn against misplaced trust in material wealth? 3. What does "valleys flow with milk" symbolize in Jeremiah 49:4? 4. How can we avoid pride like that mentioned in Jeremiah 49:4? 5. Which other scriptures warn against trusting in riches over God? 6. How can Jeremiah 49:4 guide our financial decisions today? 7. What is the historical context of Jeremiah 49:4 regarding Moab's pride and downfall? 8. How does Jeremiah 49:4 reflect God's judgment on nations? 9. Why does Jeremiah 49:4 emphasize Moab's trust in wealth? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 49? 11. What is Topheth in the Bible? 12. Does the symbolic naming in Hosea 1:4-9 conflict with the broader biblical emphasis on God's mercy and redemption? 13. What is the meaning of Psalm 49:7? 14. What does the Bible say about Damascus's destruction? What Does Jeremiah 49:4 Mean Why do you boast of your valleysJeremiah singles out the pride Ammon took in its geography. Nestled between protective hills, its fertile ravines felt like natural fortresses. • Psalm 20:7 reminds us that “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Safe-looking terrain is no substitute for the Lord’s protection. • Obadiah 1:3 shows Edom making the same mistake by boasting in its high cliffs. Pride rooted in circumstances always crumbles. Your valleys so fruitful The land produced abundantly, tempting the nation to equate prosperity with divine approval. • Deuteronomy 8:17–18 warns, “You might say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have gained this wealth for me,’ but remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the power to gain wealth.” • Luke 12:16-21 (the rich fool) echoes the lesson: bumper crops do not guarantee tomorrow. O faithless daughter “Faithless” (or “backsliding”) exposes a relational fracture: Ammon enjoyed God’s common grace yet refused covenant loyalty. • Jeremiah 3:6-10 uses the same family language for Judah’s disloyalty, highlighting how betrayal grieves the Father’s heart. • James 4:4 calls friendship with the world spiritual adultery. God desires fidelity, not flirtation with self-reliance. You trust in your riches Wealth had become their functional savior. • Proverbs 11:28: “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” • 1 Timothy 6:17 cautions the affluent “not to be arrogant, nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God.” Riches are a tool; they make a terrible refuge. Who can come against me? Self-confidence blinded them to looming judgment. • Isaiah 47:8-11 records Babylon boasting, “I am, and there is none besides me,” moments before disaster. • 1 Thessalonians 5:3 pictures people saying “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction arrives. When God is ignored, security is an illusion. summary Jeremiah 49:4 exposes a heart that swaps dependence on the Lord for confidence in terrain, prosperity, and wealth. God calls us to locate our security in Him alone; any other boast—whether fertile valleys, healthy bank accounts, or strategic defenses—sets us up for collapse. True safety rests not in what we possess but in the One who kindly provides it. (4) In the valleys.--The word exactly describes the conformation of the Ammonite country, as a high plateau intersected by streams which make their way to the Jordan. For "thy flowing valley" read "thy valley" (this is, of course, the valley in which Rabbah was situated) "that floweth with plenty." The words admit, however, of being rendered, "Thy valley floweth away," i.e., is wasted and emptied.O backsliding daughter.--There is something suggestive in the fact that the prophet applies to Ammon the epithet which he had applied before to the kingdom of the Ten Tribes (Jeremiah 3:6; Jeremiah 3:8; Jeremiah 3:11; Jeremiah 3:14). Ammon also had the opportunity of worshipping the God of Israel, and had probably, as long as the Israelites were her rulers, adopted that worship wholly or in part, and so she also was an apostate. The question which follows, as in Jeremiah 21:13, implies that the people of Rabbah looked on their city as impregnable. . . . Verse 4. - The valleys; i.e. long extended plains, such as were suitable for cornfields (Isaiah 17:5; Psalm 65:14), and such as characterized the territory of the Ammonites. Thy flowing valley. "Flowing;" that is, abounding with rich crops. The meaning of the phrase, however, is only probable.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whyמַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what do you boast תִּתְהַֽלְלִי֙ (tiṯ·hal·lî) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 1984: To shine of your valleys, בָּֽעֲמָקִ֔ים (bā·‘ă·mā·qîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6010: A vale your valleys עִמְקֵ֔ךְ (‘im·qêḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 6010: A vale so fruitful, זָ֣ב (zāḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2100: To flow freely, to have a, flux, to waste away, to overflow O faithless הַשּֽׁוֹבֵבָ֑ה (haš·šō·w·ḇê·ḇāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7728: Apostate, heathenish, heathen daughter? הַבַּ֖ת (hab·baṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1323: A daughter You trust הַבֹּֽטְחָה֙ (hab·bō·ṭə·ḥāh) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 982: To trust, be confident, sure in your riches [and say], בְּאֹ֣צְרֹתֶ֔יהָ (bə·’ō·ṣə·rō·ṯe·hā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 214: Treasure, store, a treasury, storehouse ‘Who מִ֖י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can come against יָב֥וֹא (yā·ḇō·w) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go me?’ אֵלָֽי׃ (’ê·lāy) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Links Jeremiah 49:4 NIVJeremiah 49:4 NLT Jeremiah 49:4 ESV Jeremiah 49:4 NASB Jeremiah 49:4 KJV Jeremiah 49:4 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 49:4 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 49:4 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 49:4 French Bible Jeremiah 49:4 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 49:4 Why glory you in the valleys your (Jer.) |
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