Jeremiah 46 3

Jeremiah 46:3 kjv

Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.

Jeremiah 46:3 nkjv

"Order the buckler and shield, And draw near to battle!

Jeremiah 46:3 niv

"Prepare your shields, both large and small, and march out for battle!

Jeremiah 46:3 esv

"Prepare buckler and shield, and advance for battle!

Jeremiah 46:3 nlt

"Prepare your shields,
and advance into battle!

Jeremiah 46 verses

Jeremiah 46 3 Meaning

Jeremiah 46:3 is a divine, ironic command addressed to the Egyptian army. God, through His prophet Jeremiah, sarcastically instructs the soldiers to ready their defenses and advance into battle. The verse powerfully underscores the futility of human military preparation and strength when it stands against God's sovereign plan. Despite their detailed readiness, their impending defeat at Carchemish by Babylon, ordained by God, is certain.

Jeremiah 46 3 Context

Jeremiah chapter 46 begins a series of prophecies concerning foreign nations, specifically focusing on Egypt. Verse 3 is a part of the first prophecy within this chapter, which deals with Pharaoh Necho's army that was decisively defeated by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon at Carchemish by the Euphrates River around 605 BCE. This battle was a pivotal moment in ancient Near Eastern history, solidifying Babylonian dominance over the region and significantly diminishing Egypt's influence. Jeremiah's prophetic message highlights God's sovereignty over the nations and their armies, portraying the divine orchestration of this historical event. The imperative tone in verse 3 is ironic, emphasizing that despite Egypt's military preparations, their doom is sealed by God's decree.

Jeremiah 46 3 Word analysis

• Prepare ye: The Hebrew word is ʿārak (עָרַךְ), meaning "to arrange," "to set in order," or "to array." It denotes deliberate and thorough preparation for a specific purpose, in this context, battle. The imperative command underscores the solemnity and readiness expected, yet in this context, it is charged with irony by the divine speaker. It suggests the meticulously planned yet ultimately futile efforts of the Egyptians.
• the buckler: The Hebrew word is māḡēn (מָגֵן). This refers to a smaller, rounder shield, often made of lighter material. It was primarily used for agile defense in close combat, protecting individual soldiers and allowing freedom of movement for offensive actions. In a metaphorical sense throughout scripture, a shield often represents divine protection (Ps 3:3, Prov 30:5). Here, it's about a literal defensive tool.
• and shield: The Hebrew word is ṣinnāh (צִנָּה). This denotes a larger, heavier, full-body shield, typically rectangular or oval, providing more comprehensive protection to the soldier's entire body. These were often used by soldiers forming a protective wall or phalanx. The use of both māḡēn and ṣinnāh emphasizes a full range of military preparedness, from agile defense to stalwart protection. The juxtaposition highlights the completeness of their armament.
• and draw near: The Hebrew verb is nāḡaḥ (נָגַשׁ), meaning "to approach," "to draw close," or "to come near." In a military context, it signifies engaging the enemy, coming into striking distance for combat. The command is a call to confrontation.
• to battle: The Hebrew word is milḥāmāh (מִלְחָמָה), meaning "war," "fight," or "conflict." It denotes the entire armed struggle or engagement. It specifies the purpose of all the preparations and the approach.

• "Prepare ye the buckler and shield": This phrase speaks to the comprehensive nature of the military readiness. The inclusion of both small (māḡēn) and large (ṣinnāh) shields suggests that the Egyptians are arming themselves to the fullest extent, accounting for different fighting styles and levels of protection. The imperative is not an encouragement but an ironic challenge, daring them to prepare for an inevitable downfall, underscoring the impotence of their meticulously gathered arsenal against divine decree.
• "and draw near to battle": This command escalates the preparation to engagement. It urges the soldiers to not just arm themselves, but to advance and meet their adversaries. Combined with the first part of the verse, it paints a vivid picture of a disciplined, well-equipped army marching into conflict. However, this is precisely the conflict in which God has determined they will be humiliated, reinforcing the sovereignty of God over human strategic might.

Jeremiah 46 3 Bonus section

The imagery in Jeremiah 46:3 contrasts significantly with the biblical concept of spiritual armor found in the New Testament (Eph 6:10-17). While the Egyptian army's physical armor proved useless against God's plan, believers are encouraged to put on spiritual armor, which is divinely provided and effective against spiritual forces. This highlights the differing sources of strength and the ultimate purposes they serve: one for fleeting worldly power, the other for eternal spiritual victory. The prophetic taunt of this verse also indirectly challenges the belief in the protective power of Egyptian deities like Ra or Horus, suggesting that their supposed divine protectors could not save Egypt's armies from Yahweh's appointed instrument, Babylon. This underlines a significant polemic against polytheism and asserts Yahweh's unique power over all nations and their pantheons.

Jeremiah 46 3 Commentary

Jeremiah 46:3 stands as a striking declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs, especially over the fate of nations and the outcomes of battles. This verse, though ostensibly an instruction, serves as an ironic challenge and a pronouncement of judgment against the mighty Egyptian army. God, through Jeremiah, mocks their diligent preparations—their readying of both agile bucklers and formidable shields—and their advance to battle. The very act of preparing and engaging in conflict, usually a display of strength and strategy, is rendered a futile exercise when arrayed against the divine will. It prophetically signals their decisive and humiliating defeat, emphasizing that no amount of human armament or military prowess can withstand the one true God's decree. The verse vividly portrays a bustling army unknowingly marching towards its prophesied demise, underscoring that human plans are subject to, and often overturned by, divine purpose.