Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Jeremiah 49:36. It’s a pretty dramatic statement about the future. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jeremiah is saying that after a period of great trouble and chaos (likely involving Elam), God will scatter the people and land of Elam across the entire world. Let's unpack it further: “And upon Elam…”: This refers to the area formerly known as Elam. It was a large region in southwestern Iran, and it’s often associated with conflict and hardship. “…will bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven…” This is a really poetic way of saying God will actively move people and land away from Elam. “The four quarters of heaven” refers to the four directions – north, south, east, and west. This suggests that God isn’t just scattering them randomly; he's deliberately moving them in a specific direction. “…and will scatter them toward all those winds…” This means that these people (and land) will spread out across the entire globe, no matter where they go. “All those winds” is a metaphorical way of saying “everywhere.” “And there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.” This is the key part. It means that after this scattering, no single nation – no single group of people – will be left behind in the area formerly controlled by Elam. It’s a promise of complete dispersal and removal. In essence, it's a message of judgment and a hopeful vision of a future where the people of Elam are finally removed from their land. Important Note: This is a complex verse with theological significance. It speaks to God’s plan for justice and his ultimate control over nations. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Talk about the context of this verse within the larger story of Jeremiah's prophecies?