Jeremiah 46 9

Jeremiah 46:9 kjv

Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.

Jeremiah 46:9 nkjv

Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots! And let the mighty men come forth: The Ethiopians and the Libyans who handle the shield, And the Lydians who handle and bend the bow.

Jeremiah 46:9 niv

Charge, you horses! Drive furiously, you charioteers! March on, you warriors?men of Cush and Put who carry shields, men of Lydia who draw the bow.

Jeremiah 46:9 esv

Advance, O horses, and rage, O chariots! Let the warriors go out: men of Cush and Put who handle the shield, men of Lud, skilled in handling the bow.

Jeremiah 46:9 nlt

Charge, you horses and chariots;
attack, you mighty warriors of Egypt!
Come, all you allies from Ethiopia, Libya, and Lydia
who are skilled with the shield and bow!

Jeremiah 46 verses

Jeremiah 46 9 meaning

Jeremiah 46:9 presents an ironic and powerful summons for the Egyptian army to prepare for battle, specifically against the advancing Babylonian forces at Carchemish. The verse, through divine declaration, calls upon Egypt's cavalry (horses), chariots, and valiant mercenary soldiers from Cush (Nubia/Ethiopia), Put (Libya), and Ludim (Lydia or another North African group) to engage in a seemingly furious and aggressive charge. Despite the grandeur and martial readiness implied, the prophetic context reveals that this call to arms immediately precedes a crushing and decisive defeat for Egypt, underscoring the futility of human strength against God's sovereign decree.

Jeremiah 46 9 Context

Jeremiah 46 belongs to a collection of prophecies against foreign nations (Jeremiah chapters 46-51). Specifically, this chapter pronounces God's judgment against Egypt, particularly foretelling their crushing defeat by Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. The immediate historical context is the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BCE. At this crucial juncture, Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt sought to expand his influence northward and halt the rising power of Babylon, following the fall of Assyria. Egypt assembled a large and diverse army, including numerous mercenary contingents from allied regions. Judah, often caught between these regional powers, frequently looked to Egypt for security, contrary to God's warnings through Jeremiah and other prophets. This specific verse (Jer 46:9) is part of the prophet's dramatic description of the Egyptian army's grand preparations and initial charge, setting the stage for their swift and decisive rout, emphasizing that even a seemingly formidable force cannot prevail against the will of Yahweh. The entire chapter functions as a theological statement that God is sovereign not only over His covenant people but over all nations and their destinies.

Jeremiah 46 9 Word analysis

• Go up (עֲלוּ - ʿălū): An imperative verb meaning "ascend," "charge," or "advance." It conveys a command for vigorous movement forward into battle.
• you horses (סוּסִים - sūsīm): Refers to the cavalry, often the spearhead of ancient armies, symbolizing speed, strength, and an offensive push. In ancient warfare, cavalry was crucial for impact and pursuit.
• and rage (וְהִתְגָּעֲשׁוּ - wəhitgāʿāšū): A Hithpael verb meaning "to become agitated," "to stir oneself tumultuously," "to rush madly," or "to become violent." It portrays intense, chaotic, and furious movement, anticipating the wild disorder of battle. The choice of verb heightens the dramatic irony.
• you chariots (הָרֶכֶב - hārāḵev): A collective noun for chariotry. Chariots were elite units in ancient armies, powerful for charging enemy lines and projecting authority.
• and let the mighty men go forth (וְיֵצְאוּ הַגִּבּוֹרִים - wəyēṣʾū haggibbōrîm): "Let the heroes/warriors come out/advance." Gibborim often denotes valiant and powerful soldiers, emphasizing their formidable appearance and battle-readiness.
• Cush (כּוּשׁ - Kūš): Ancient Nubia/Ethiopia, a region south of Egypt. The Cushites were known as skilled warriors and often served as mercenaries or allies for Egypt, particularly renowned for their archery.
• and Put (פּוּט - Pûṭ): Libya, located west of Egypt. Like Cush, Put often supplied mercenary troops to the Egyptian army. These were important contingents from surrounding territories.
• that handle the shield (תּוֹפְשֵׂי מָגֵן - tōfəšê maggēn): Literally, "holders of the shield." This describes infantry units, essential for defensive formations and close combat. Shields were crucial for protection against missiles and blows.
• and the Ludim (וְהַלּוּדִים - wəhālûḏîm): Refers to Lydians (from Anatolia) or potentially another North African tribe associated with Put/Libya, known for their martial skills, especially as archers. They were part of Egypt's diverse foreign military forces.
• that handle and bend the bow (תּוֹפְשֵׂי דֹרְכֵי קֶשֶׁת - tōfəšê ḏōrḵê qešeṯ): Literally, "holders and treaders (benders) of the bow." This specifically identifies archers. The act of "treading" or "bending" implies great strength required to draw the powerful bows used in ancient warfare. These units provided long-range attack capabilities.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Go up, you horses, and rage, you chariots": This initial command establishes an aggressive and chaotic atmosphere, a visual of the charge. It personifies the military machinery, calling them to unleash their full power.
• "and let the mighty men go forth: Cush and Put, that handle the shield; and the Ludim, that handle and bend the bow": This section enumerates the various components of the formidable mercenary army of Egypt. It highlights their diverse origins (Cush, Put, Ludim) and their specialized roles (shield-bearers and archers), emphasizing the sheer scale and comprehensive nature of Egypt's military might, which would be subsequently shattered. This detailing underscores the paradox that even such a grand alliance is insufficient against God's decree.

Jeremiah 46 9 Bonus section

The mention of foreign mercenaries (Cush, Put, Ludim) is a recurring motif in prophetic literature when speaking of Egypt (e.g., Ezek 30:5; Nahum 3:9). This points to the economic and political realities of the ancient world where empires frequently supplemented their armies with soldiers for hire, making them powerful but also potentially vulnerable if loyalties wavered or payments ceased. The specific listing here, however, emphasizes their martial prowess as a collective, highlighting that despite a broad coalition of the strongest fighters, God's judgment would still prevail. The meticulous detailing of these groups – some skilled with shields for close combat, others renowned as archers for ranged attack – reveals an advanced military structure. The divine declaration acts as an "unveiling" of their seemingly impregnable strength, immediately preceding its "undoing," reinforcing that the outcome of any conflict is ultimately in God's hands.

Jeremiah 46 9 Commentary

Jeremiah 46:9 functions as a deeply ironic summons. The prophet, speaking for Yahweh, issues a command for the seemingly invincible Egyptian army to muster all its strength, showcasing its diverse and formidable components: powerful cavalry and chariotry leading the charge, supported by highly skilled mercenary infantry and archers from distant lands like Cush, Put, and Ludim. The language used, like "rage," paints a vivid picture of a frenzied, confident military advance. However, this divine command is not one of encouragement but a prelude to destruction. The very call to assemble such a magnificent force serves to magnify the impending divine judgment, proving that no amount of human power, strategic alliances, or military might can withstand the predetermined counsel of God. The irony lies in the stark contrast between this outward display of strength and the swift, ignominious defeat that immediately follows within the chapter. This passage stands as a polemic against reliance on human armaments and foreign powers, directing ultimate trust and fear towards the sovereign God alone. It serves as a reminder that the Lord orchestrates the rise and fall of nations, making even the grandest displays of earthly power subservient to His will.