Jeremiah 49:16 - Exposition

Thy terribleness. This is certainly the best rendering of this ἅπαξ λεγόμενον . The "terribleness" of Edom consisted in the fact that the other nations shrank from disturbing her in her rocky fastness. In the clefts of the rock. Probably with an allusion to the rock city Sela, or Petra ("rock"); as perhaps in "the height of the hill" to the situation of Bozrah; see on Jeremiah 49:13 (Graf). As the eagle. Not any eagle is meant, but the griffon ( Gypsfulvus ) , or great vulture (Tristram).