Jeremiah 49:28

Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchad-rezzar king of Babylon shall smite, Thus saith the Lord: Arise ye, goe vp to Kedar, and spoile the men of the East. Jeremiah 49:28 (KJV)

Kedar refers to a people descended from Kedar, the second son of Ishmael, who was the son of Abraham and Hagar. The descendants of Kedar settled in the Arabian Peninsula, formed several tribes, and were known for their nomadic lifestyle, dwelling in tents and engaging in trade and commerce.

Hazor was an ancient city in northern Canaan (the area of modern‑day northern Israel), historically a major Canaanite settlement. The reference may include the various kingdoms or tribal groups that existed in that region.

The verse states that Nebuchadrezzar, the king of Babylon, will come and smite the kingdoms of Hazor. This prophecy foretells the conquest and judgment that would befall these nations at the hands of the Babylonian empire during Nebuchadrezzar’s reign.

Jeremiah, as a prophet of God, relays this message from the Lord. The command, “Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east,” can be understood as a call to action for the Babylonian forces to rise and plunder the people of Kedar and the eastern regions.

It implies that these nations will face the consequences of their actions and will be subjected to a Babylonian military campaign. While the prophecy was specific to the historical context of Jeremiah’s time, it also invites readers to reflect on broader biblical themes such as divine judgment, human obedience, and the sovereignty of God over the nations.