Jeremiah 46 21

Jeremiah 46:21 kjv

Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation.

Jeremiah 46:21 nkjv

Also her mercenaries are in her midst like fat bulls, For they also are turned back, They have fled away together. They did not stand, For the day of their calamity had come upon them, The time of their punishment.

Jeremiah 46:21 niv

The mercenaries in her ranks are like fattened calves. They too will turn and flee together, they will not stand their ground, for the day of disaster is coming upon them, the time for them to be punished.

Jeremiah 46:21 esv

Even her hired soldiers in her midst are like fattened calves; yes, they have turned and fled together; they did not stand, for the day of their calamity has come upon them, the time of their punishment.

Jeremiah 46:21 nlt

Egypt's mercenaries have become like fattened calves.
They, too, will turn and run,
for it is a day of great disaster for Egypt,
a time of great punishment.

Jeremiah 46 verses

Jeremiah 46 21 meaning

Jeremiah 46:21 graphically depicts the rapid and ignominious defeat of Egypt's foreign mercenary army. These soldiers, though described as strong and well-provisioned like "fatted calves," were not prepared for genuine combat against God's appointed instrument of judgment, Babylon. They quickly turned tail and fled in disorganized panic, unable to stand their ground. The verse highlights that their downfall was not a mere misfortune but the predetermined "day of their calamity" and "time of their punishment," indicating a divinely orchestrated judgment.

Jeremiah 46 21 Context

Jeremiah 46 is the beginning of a larger section of prophecies (chapters 46-51) specifically targeting foreign nations. This particular chapter is an oracle against Egypt, setting the stage for subsequent judgments on other gentile powers. The immediate historical context is the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BCE, where the rising Babylonian empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, decisively defeated the Egyptian army led by Pharaoh Neco II. This defeat marked a significant shift in regional power, effectively ending Egypt's dominance and establishing Babylon as the supreme authority in the Near East. Jeremiah’s prophecy, delivered likely prior to or around the time of this battle, serves as a divine commentary and a declaration of God’s sovereignty over world empires. The mention of "mercenaries" specifically points to the composite nature of Egypt's army, which included many hired foreign soldiers from various regions, common for major powers of that era. Their swift flight and lack of stand indicate the hollowness of Egypt's supposed strength and its futile resistance against God's preordained plan.

Jeremiah 46 21 Word analysis

• Her mercenaries (שְׂכִירֶ֞יהָ - səḵîrehā): Transliteration: səḵîrehā. Meaning: her hired men, her mercenaries. These were foreign soldiers hired by Egypt, not native Egyptians. This points to Egypt's reliance on external strength rather than indigenous forces, a common practice but often a sign of vulnerability in the long run. Such reliance also meant less loyalty.
• also are in the midst of her (גַם־הֵ֣מָּה בְקִרְבָּ֗הּ - gam-hēmmâ ḇəqirbāh): Emphasizes their integral presence within Egypt's military structure, not merely as allies but as a significant, perhaps even primary, part of its fighting force. The "also" subtly connects their fate with that of the native Egyptian forces or the overall judgment.
• like fatted calves (כְּעֶגְלֵי־מַרְבֵּ֫ק - kə‘eḡlê-marbêq):
  • ‘eḡlê (calves): young bulls/cattle, often symbolizing strength, youth, and potential.
  • marbêq (fatted): From the root râḇaq, meaning to fatten, or stall-fed. This imagery conveys abundance, being well-fed, perhaps strong and robust from ease. Ironically, "fatted" animals are often prepared for slaughter, hinting at their ultimate destiny. This image critiques their seeming strength as an illusion, suggesting they are pampered and ultimately fit for a quick end, not fierce battle.
• for they also are turned back (כִּי־גַ֤ם הֵ֙מָּה֙ נָסֹ֣וגוּ - kî-ḡam hēmmâ nāšôḡû): nāsôḡû from sug (to retreat, withdraw, turn back). Signifies a disordered, hasty retreat rather than an organized tactical withdrawal. The "also" links their retreat with the general flight of the Egyptian army.
• and fled together (נָ֔סוּ יַחְדָּֽו - nāsû yaḥdāw): nāsû from nus (to flee, escape, vanish). This adds emphasis to the act of fleeing. yaḥdāw means together, in unison. This indicates a complete and collective rout, a widespread panic where no one held their ground.
• They did not stand (לֹ֣א עָמָ֔דוּ - lō‘ ‘āmāḏû): ‘āmāḏû from ‘amad (to stand, remain, endure). A definitive statement of failure. They could not maintain their position, hold the line, or show courage in battle, confirming their complete defeat and lack of resilience.
• for the day of their calamity has come upon them (כִּי֩ בָ֙א יוֹם֙ אֵידָם֙ - kî ḇā’ yôm ’êḏām):
  • yôm (day): often implies a set, appointed time, especially of judgment in prophecy.
  • ’êḏām (calamity, disaster, ruin): Refers to the specific disaster destined for them. This phrase underscores that their defeat was not accidental but divinely ordained and scheduled, an inevitable appointment with destruction.
• the time of their punishment (עֵ֚ת פְּקֻדָּתָֽם - ‘êt pəqūdâṯām):
  • ‘êt (time, season, moment): Reinforces the idea of a specific, pre-determined duration or moment.
  • pəqūdâṯām (punishment, visitation, reckoning, accounting): From the root pāqaḏ (to visit, appoint, inspect, take account). In this context, it unequivocally signifies a visitation of divine judgment, a time when their actions (or their nation's reliance on them) were brought to account.

• "Her mercenaries... like fatted calves": This powerful imagery creates an ironic contrast. While "fatted calves" suggests robust, prime animals, in this context, it implies they are being prepared for slaughter rather than for battle. Their outward show of strength or privilege makes them not more formidable, but more vulnerable to an appointed end.
• "turned back and fled together. They did not stand": This series of verbs emphasizes a rapid, disorganized, and complete rout. The triple affirmation of flight and inability to stand paints a picture of utter panic and collapse, leaving no doubt about their failure.
• "the day of their calamity... the time of their punishment": These parallel phrases powerfully confirm the divine origin and inevitability of their defeat. It was not chance but an appointed moment for a comprehensive reckoning, illustrating God's sovereign control over historical events and national destinies.

Jeremiah 46 21 Bonus section

The prophecy in Jeremiah 46:21, detailing the defeat of Egypt’s mercenaries at Carchemish, underscores Jeremiah’s divine mandate as a prophet. He declared this judgment possibly years before its historical fulfillment in 605 BCE by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, affirming that the Lord actively intervenes in and shapes world history according to His plan. This divine control also implicitly acts as a polemic against the numerous Egyptian deities, especially the god Amun (mentioned elsewhere in chapter 46), whom the Egyptians believed would protect their army. The absolute defeat demonstrates the impotence of these false gods against the sovereign God of Israel. The theme of not relying on human strength or foreign powers is consistently echoed throughout Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature, contrasting such folly with the unwavering call to trust in the Lord (e.g., Ps 20:7).

Jeremiah 46 21 Commentary

Jeremiah 46:21 offers a trenchant portrayal of the fleeting nature of worldly power and reliance on human strength, specifically through the ignominious defeat of Egypt’s mercenary forces. These hired soldiers, well-nourished and ostensibly formidable "like fatted calves," paradoxically proved themselves quick to panic and flee, symbolizing their readiness for slaughter rather than battle. Their collective failure to stand highlights the hollowness of their strength. This rout was not a random misfortune but the fulfillment of a divinely decreed "day of their calamity" and "time of their punishment." The verse thus powerfully declares God's sovereignty over nations, revealing how even seemingly robust military might crumbles when it encounters the preordained moment of His judgment. It underscores the biblical theme that ultimate victory and security are found not in human armies or alliances, but in the Lord alone.