Jeremiah 49:15 — Word Study
WLCכִּֽי־ הִנֵּ֥ה קָטֹ֛ן נְתַתִּ֖יךָ בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם בָּז֖וּי בָּאָדָֽם׃
BSAForkîy beholdhinnêh [see, look, take notice] I will make younâthan■ ◂smallqâṭân [insignificant, little, of no account] among nationsgôwy [Gentiles, heathen, non-Hebrew peoples] despisedbâzâh [held in contempt, looked down on] among menʼâdâm [humanity, people, mankind]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כִּֽי־ | for | Particle |
| הִנֵּ֥ה | here! | Particle |
| קָטֹ֛ן | small | Adj |
| נְתַתִּ֖יךָ | I will make you | Verb qal perfect first person common singular, suffix |
| בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם | among the nations | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| בָּז֖וּי | despised | Verb, Qal, participle (passive) masculine singular |
| בָּאָדָֽם׃ | among humankind | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | “For behold, I will make you small among nations, despised among men. |
| KJV | For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men. |
| ASV | For, behold, I have made thee small among the nations, and despised among men. |
| YLT | For, lo, little I have made thee among nations, Despised among men. |
| WEB | “For, behold, I have made you small among the nations, and despised among men. |
| BBE | For see, I have made you small among the nations, looked down on by men. |
Where they part company is קָטֹ֛ן — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb with two phrases describing the outcome of God's declaration.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּזָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Jeremiah 49:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prophecy Against Edomgenerated
Jeremiah 49:15 presents a message from the LORD regarding Edom, a nation that will face judgment and humiliation. The passage emphasizes Edom's impending insignificance among other nations and their contempt among humanity. This prophecy serves as a warning and a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations, aligning with themes of divine judgment found throughout the prophetic literature.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 2:7–8 | The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. |
| 2 | Psalm 53:5 | There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them. |
| 3 | Obadiah 1:2 | “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you will be deeply despised. |
| 4 | Micah 7:10 | Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame— she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets. |
| 5 | Luke 1:51 | He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — קָטֹ֛ן, ka.Tongenerated
The word קָטֹן (qatan) is an adjective meaning 'small' or 'insignificant.' It conveys a sense of diminished size, importance, or value. In this context, it highlights Edom's future status among the nations, indicating they will be regarded as little or of no account.
This term appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, often used to describe youth or insignificance. Its usage here underscores the severity of God's judgment against Edom, emphasizing their reduced stature in the eyes of others.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has small, and so do the ASV, KJV, and others: all maintain the sense of insignificance.
Where translations differ is with קָטֹ֛ן — small (ASV, BSB, KJV) versus little (DRA, YLT) and insignificant (FBV). This reflects different nuances of the same Hebrew root.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of a main clause introduced by כִּי (ki), meaning 'for,' which sets the cause for the following statement. The structure emphasizes the declaration of judgment, with the verb נְתַתִּ֖יךָ (ne.ta.Ti.kha) at the center, indicating God's action toward Edom.
The phrases that follow describe Edom's fate: they will be made small among the nations and despised among men. This structure highlights the contrast between Edom's current pride and their future humiliation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word קָטֹ֛ן is translated as μικρὸν (mikron), which also means 'small.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the sense of insignificance.
The translation choice reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew text, reinforcing the idea of Edom's diminished status among the nations.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Jeremiah 49:15 reveals God's judgment against Edom, declaring that they will be made small among the nations and despised among people. This verse emphasizes the consequences of their pride and the certainty of God's word.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that Edom will lose its significance and power, being regarded as insignificant by other nations.
This reflects their moral and spiritual failures, leading to contempt from others due to their actions.
It underscores the theme of divine judgment against nations for their pride and disobedience, which is prevalent throughout Jeremiah's prophecies.
It serves as a warning about the consequences of pride and the importance of humility before God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see pride affecting my life or the lives of those around me?
- How can I cultivate humility in my interactions with others?
- What lessons can I draw from the fate of Edom regarding my own standing before God?
- How does understanding God's judgment shape my view of justice in the world today?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Jeremiah 49:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor, lo, I will make thee small among the Heathen,.... Or, "I have given thee", or "made thee" (m); as if it respected what Edom was at first, a people few in number, and their country not large, as
Read John Gill on Jeremiah 49 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFor, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men. I will make thee small among the heathen. David and Joab had already humbled Edom (2 Samuel 8:14).
Read Robert Jamieson on Jeremiah 49 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleObadiah, in his prophecy against Edom, Obadiah 2, hath much the same words, importing that God would bring the Edomites very low, and make them very contemptible.
Read Matthew Poole on Jeremiah 49 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJeremiah 49:15 For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, [and] despised among men.Ver. 15. For, lo, I will make thee.] See on Obadiah 1:2, whence Jeremiah took this, and more besides, or else Obadiah from him.
Read John Trapp on Jeremiah 49 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(15) Among the heathen.—Better here, as no marked contrast with Israel is intended, among the nations.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Jeremiah 49 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7–22 (= LXX. Ch. Jeremiah 29:8-23). Prophecy against Edom The fact that there is a great similarity with Obadiah (Jeremiah 49:7; Jeremiah 49:9-10 a, and 14–16 corresponding respectively with Obadiah 1:8; Obadiah 1:5 f., 1–4) raises a difficult question as to the origin of the passages common to the two prophecies. The two main views are as follows: (a) that both are based on an older prophecy, Ob. preserving a more original form (so Dr., G. A. Smith, and others), and (b) that Ob.’s original work consisted of his Jeremiah 49:1-5; Jeremiah 49:7; Jeremiah 49:10-11; Jeremiah 49:13-15 b, and was not a prophecy of coming ruin, but a description of it as already existent (so Wellhausen, followed…
Read Cambridge on Jeremiah 49 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
“For behold, I will make you small among nations, despised among men.
“For, behold, I have made you small among the nations, and despised among men.
“For behold, I will make you small among nations, despised among men.
The Lord says to Edom, “I will certainly make you small among nations. I will make you despised by all humankind.
Tyndale line
For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
For, behold, I have made thee small among the nations, and despised among men.
For, behold, I have made thee small among the nations, and despised among men.
For lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
For loe, I will make thee but small among the heathen, and despised among men.
Strictly literal
For behold, I have made thee small among the nations, despised among men.
For, lo, little I have made thee among nations, Despised among men.
For behold, I have made you little among nations, || Despised among men.
For, lo, I render thee small among the nations, despised among men.
“For see, I have made you small compared to the other nations, despised by people.
From the Latin
For behold I have made thee a little one among the nations, despicable among men.
Simplified
Watch as I will make you insignificant compared to other nations—everyone will look down on you.
For see, I have made you small among the nations, looked down on by men.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in content, with five out of seven words matched. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ from the Hebrew, but the core message remains consistent across both texts.
כִּֽי־ הִנֵּ֥ה קָטֹ֛ן נְתַתִּ֖יךָ בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם בָּז֖וּי בָּאָדָֽם׃
5 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Jeremiah 49:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
הִנֵּה (hinneh) is a Hebrew word meaning 'behold' or 'lo!' It serves as a demonstrative particle used to draw attention, appearing in contexts such as Genesis 19:2. The word is derived from a prolongation of another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its usage beyond this.
הִנֵּה, once הִנֶּה־ Gn 19:2, demonstr.part. lo!, behold!
base
H2009 הִנֵּה, הִנֶּה־ lo!, behold!
2009 hinneh hin-nay'
prolongation for 2005; lo!:--behold, lo, see.
see HEBREW for 02005
הִנֵּה (hin.neh) — behold.
behold, lo, see, if
Part — ParticleHTj
her, in composition:
קָטָן (qatan) means small, young, or unimportant. It can refer to size, quantity, or age, and is often used to describe something insignificant. The entries indicate that it is a diminutive form, with variations in spelling. The lexicons highlight its meanings consistently, without significant disagreement.
קָטָן adj. small, young, unimportant
base
קָטֹן 64 adj. small, insignificant
base
H6996a קָטָן small, young, unimportant H6996b קָטֹן small, insignificant
6996 qatan kaw-tawn'
or qaton {kaw-tone'}; from 6962; abbreviated, i.e.
diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or
figuratively (in age or importance):--least, less(-er),
little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing),
young(-er, -est).
see HEBREW for 06962
קָטָן (qa.tan) — small.
young, small, unimportant
Another spelling of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B)
קָטֹן (qa.ton) — small.
: small
small, insignificant
קָטֹן (qa.ton) — small: young.
: young
small, insignificant
A sub-meaning of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word נָתַן (natan) means 'to give' and encompasses a wide range of applications such as putting, setting, and making. It can also indicate actions like bestowing, delivering, and assigning. The entries describe its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hophal, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
נָתַן 2007 vb. give, put, set
Qal 1917
give
Put, set
Make, constitute
Niph.
82be given
Be put, set
Hoph.
be given, bestowed
= be given to one for wife
be put upon
base
H5414 נָתַן give, put, set .. give
. Put, set
. Make, constitute
. . be given
. Be put, set
. . . be given, bestowed
. = be given to one for wife
. be put upon
5414 nathan naw-than'
a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of
application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe,
assign, X avenge, X be ((healed)), bestow, bring (forth,
hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, +
cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, X doubtless, X
without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up),
grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up),
(give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that,
occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X
pull , put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send
(out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), + sing, + slander,
strike, (sub-)mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade,
turn, utter, + weep, + willingly, + withdraw, + would (to)
God, yield.
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: give.
: give/deliver/send/produce
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
1a3) to make, constitute
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
1c2) to be put upon
נָתַן (na.tan) — to give: put.
: put/set/apppoint
1) to give, put, set
1a) (Qal)
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff — Verb qal perfect first person common singular · suffixHVqp1cs/Sp2ms
גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.
גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people
base
גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim
base
H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim
1471 gowy go'-ee
rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same
root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;
hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a
flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
see HEBREW for 01465
גּוֹי (goy) — nation.
1) nation, people
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.
People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1
§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)
גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.
1) nation, people
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
1c) Goyim? = "nations"
Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.
Goyim (Tidgal, king of)
Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
na'-shunz.
See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.
בָזָה (bazah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to despise or hold in contempt. It can be used in different forms: Qal for direct action, Niphal for being despised, and Hiphil for causing someone to despise. The entries emphasize a sense of disdain and worthlessness associated with the term.
בָזָה vb. despise
Qal despise, regard with contempt
Niph.
despised
vile, worthless
despicable, contemptible
Hiph. so as to cause to despise their lords
base
H959 בָזָה despise
959 bazah baw-zaw'
a primitive root; to disesteem:--despise, disdain,
contemn(-ptible), + think to scorn, vile person.
בָּזָה (ba.zah) — to despise.
1) to despise, hold in contempt, disdain
1a) (Qal) to despise, regard with contempt
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be despised
1b2) to be despicable
1b3) to be vile, worthless
1c) (Hiphil) to cause to despise
Also means: ba.zoh (בָּזֹה "to despise" H0960)
V-Qal-Inf-c — Verb · Qal · participle (passive) masculine singularHVqsmsa
אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
a man = human being
coll. man, mankind
n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
base
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the
species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common
sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
see HEBREW for 0119
אָדָם (a.dam) — man.
1) man, mankind
1a) man, human being
1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
1c) Adam, first man
1d) city in Jordan valley
אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).
The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;
married to Eve (H2332);
father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;
Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)
man, human being
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa