However, their lack of fortification would make them easy pickings for Nebuchadnezzar and all their wealth, their camels and livestock would be plundered. The Lord will scatter to every wind those who cut the corners of their hair.
The reference to clipping the corners of their hair comes from a Hebrew phrase that is difficult to interpret. It could either refer to a tribal custom or to the remote places they lived in.1 Either way, they will not be able to hide from the Lord. The Lord himself will bring their calamity from every side of them.
There follows a description, typical of Jeremiah, of the devastation that the Babylonians will bring when they invade; Hazor shall become a haut of jackals, an everlasting waste; no man shall dwell there; no man shall sojourn in her.
It may seem strange at first that there is an oracle against the Arab tribes. There is little evidence of conflict with Israel, and the oracle contains no cry for retribution because they have mistreated the Lord’s people. In fact, no reason for judgment is given at all in the oracle. The inclusion of this oracle highlights again that the Lord was working out his worldwide purposes through Nebuchadnezzar. Those who opposed Nebuchadnezzar were opposing the Lord. This oracle once again focuses on the power of the LORD to act decisively in an international arena
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32 Their camels shall become plunder, their herds of livestock a spoil. I will scatter to every wind those who cut the corners of their hair, and I will bring their calamity from every side of them,declares the LORD.