Jeremiah 46 16

Jeremiah 46:16 kjv

He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.

Jeremiah 46:16 nkjv

He made many fall; Yes, one fell upon another. And they said, 'Arise! Let us go back to our own people And to the land of our nativity From the oppressing sword.'

Jeremiah 46:16 niv

They will stumble repeatedly; they will fall over each other. They will say, 'Get up, let us go back to our own people and our native lands, away from the sword of the oppressor.'

Jeremiah 46:16 esv

He made many stumble, and they fell, and they said one to another, 'Arise, and let us go back to our own people and to the land of our birth, because of the sword of the oppressor.'

Jeremiah 46:16 nlt

They stumble and fall over each other
and say among themselves,
'Come, let's go back to our people,
to the land of our birth.
Let's get away from the sword of the enemy!'

Jeremiah 46 verses

Jeremiah 46 16 Meaning

Jeremiah 46:16 vividly describes the chaotic rout and complete disarray of an army, likely Egyptian and its mercenaries, during a devastating defeat. It portrays soldiers tripping over each other in their panic and announcing their desperate intention to flee back to their homelands to escape the brutal, oppressive sword of the advancing enemy. This verse underscores the swift and absolute nature of the judgment decreed against Egypt.

Jeremiah 46 16 Context

Jeremiah 46 introduces a series of prophecies against various foreign nations. Specifically, verses 1-26 concern Egypt and its armies, prophesying their defeat by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. This section notably begins by recalling the Battle of Carchemish (605 BC), a pivotal historical event where Nebuchadnezzar decisively defeated Egyptian forces under Pharaoh Necho. Verse 16 describes the consequence of Babylon's later full-scale invasion of Egypt itself. The Egyptians, often relying on foreign mercenaries, are depicted in a state of utter panic and rout, choosing to abandon the battle and their posts, highlighting the overwhelming nature of God's judgment manifested through Babylon. This prophecy stands in contrast to the trust many, including some in Judah, placed in Egypt's military might as a protector against Babylon.

Jeremiah 46 16 Word analysis

• He made many to stumble:
  • Original: הִכְשִׁילָם (hikhshilam) - A Hiphil verb from the root kashal, meaning "to cause to stumble, totter, fail, stumble and fall." The causative form implies an external agent. While Nebuchadnezzar's forces were the direct cause, the underlying theological perspective of Jeremiah (and much of the Old Testament) attributes such national judgments to God's ultimate decree and orchestration. Thus, "He" implicitly points to God causing or permitting their collapse and defeat. This is a divine judgment against Egypt for its pride and as a demonstration of God's sovereignty over nations.
• yes, they fell one over another:
  • Original: נָפְלוּ אִישׁ עַל-רֵעֵהוּ (naflu ish al-re'ehu) - "They fell man upon his companion/friend." This phrase paints a vivid picture of utter chaos, panic, and disorganized retreat. It signifies such confusion that soldiers were literally stumbling over their comrades, rather than forming an orderly fighting or retreating line. It speaks of a demoralized and broken fighting force, a stark contrast to their initial boasts (Jer 46:11-12).
• and they said:
  • Original: וַיֹּאמְרוּ (vaiyomeru) - "And they said." This transition indicates their desperate realization and mutual decision to abandon the fight, highlighting the human element of their fear and self-preservation. It is the cry of a defeated and utterly broken army.
• ‘Arise, and let us go again to our own people and to the land of our birth:
  • Original: קוּמוּ וְנָשׁוּבָה אֶל-עַמֵּנוּ וְאֶל-אֶרֶץ מוֹלַדְתֵּנוּ (qumu venashuvah el-ammenu ve'el-eretz moladetenu) - "Arise (command), and let us return (cohortative) to our people and to the land of our birth." The command "Arise" (qumu), usually a call to action or strength, is here a call to immediate flight. The desire to "return to our own people and land of our birth" is characteristic of foreign mercenaries (as was common in Egyptian armies of that era, notably Libyans, Cushites, and others). Their loyalty was situational, not intrinsic, and thus, when faced with overwhelming defeat, their primary desire was self-preservation and repatriation rather than continued struggle for a foreign power. It highlights the fleeting loyalty of mercenary armies.
• from the oppressing sword.’
  • Original: מֵחֶרֶב הַיּוֹנָה (meche'rev hayyonah) - "From the sword, the oppressor/pigeon." While "yonah" often means "dove/pigeon," in the context of a sword, it clearly means "oppressing," "cruel," or "devastating." It refers to the brutal, overwhelming, and merciless attack of the Babylonian forces. This "sword" represents not just a weapon but the entire destructive power and aggression of Nebuchadnezzar’s army, which acted as an instrument of divine judgment against Egypt. The terror induced by this sword drives their desperate flight.

Jeremiah 46 16 Bonus section

The scene described in Jeremiah 46:16 resonates with a broader biblical theme: the defeat and disarray of armies as a sign of divine disfavor or direct intervention. Similar images appear when God fights against His enemies (e.g., Exod 14:24-25, Josh 10:10). The emphasis on "one over another" is a motif of divine confusion sowed among enemies, suggesting a supernatural element beyond mere battlefield chaos. Furthermore, the desertion of the mercenaries underlines the temporary and unreliable nature of human alliances, a lesson Israel often struggled to grasp, frequently seeking aid from Egypt instead of trusting in the Lord. This prophecy also sets the stage for the New Testament understanding that reliance on anything other than God is ultimately vain and leads to spiritual "stumbling."

Jeremiah 46 16 Commentary

Jeremiah 46:16 serves as a powerful testament to the inevitability of God's judgment against proud nations, specifically Egypt. It unveils the futility of human strength and strategic alliances when faced with divine decree. The image of soldiers falling over one another and crying out for their homelands paints a vivid picture of utter demoralization, far removed from the vaunted military prowess Egypt once boasted. The "oppressing sword" of Babylon is presented not merely as an invading force but as an instrument of God's will, ensuring that Egypt's collapse is both complete and swift. This verse reinforces the sovereignty of God, who orchestrates world events, bringing low the powerful and demonstrating that true security rests not in chariots or mighty armies but in Him alone. It is a cautionary tale against trusting in human might.