Jeremiah 49:35-38 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Behold, I will break the bow of Elam The Elamites were famous archers, as this expression intimates, as also Isaiah's words, Isaiah 22:6; And Elam bare the quiver. Strabo also says, that the mountainous parts of Elymais bred chiefly archers; στρατιωτας τρεφει τοξοτας τους πλειστους, lib. 16. p. 744. Livy, and other heathen writers, also speak of the Elymæan archers. Upon Elam will I bring the four winds, &c. I will bring enemies upon Elam from every quarter; and scatter them to every quarter. Wars and commotions are metaphorically denoted by winds. And I will send the sword after them Even after they are driven out of their own country, my judgments shall pursue them. And I will set my throne in Elam As Nebuchadnezzar acted under the commission of God, and had authority from him to conquer this and the neighbouring nations, and is called God's servant, the establishing of his power was in effect the setting up of the throne or dominion of Jehovah. Some, however, think this is spoken of the Persian monarchy, established there by Cyrus, who is expressly called, in Scripture, God's anointed one, whom he had particularly chosen.