The jungle of the Jordan
refers to the dense growth of reeds along the banks of the Jordan River where lions were found in Jeremiah’s day. The image here is of a lion emerging from the dense growth to suddenly attack livestock in the neighbouring pastures. Such will be the attack on Edom; sudden and deadly.1 And again, it is the Lord who is the true lion, even if his instrument is the Babylonians. He will establish new leaders over Edom’s people. None can stand before him, because there is no one like him. This prophecy was probably fulfilled in 552 BC when Nabonidus, the king of Babylon invaded Edom, which marked the beginning of the end of Edom as a nation. The same image is used in Jeremiah 50:44–46 in the oracle against Babylon.
19 Voici, tel un lion, il monte des rives orgueilleuses du Jourdain Contre la demeure forte; Soudain j'en ferai fuir Edom, Et j'établirai sur elle celui que j'ai choisi. Car qui est semblable à moi? Qui me donnera des ordres? Et quel est le chef qui me résistera?