Jeremiah 50:42 kjv
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
Jeremiah 50:42 nkjv
They shall hold the bow and the lance; They are cruel and shall not show mercy. Their voice shall roar like the sea; They shall ride on horses, Set in array, like a man for the battle, Against you, O daughter of Babylon.
Jeremiah 50:42 niv
They are armed with bows and spears; they are cruel and without mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, Daughter Babylon.
Jeremiah 50:42 esv
They lay hold of bow and spear; they are cruel and have no mercy. The sound of them is like the roaring of the sea; they ride on horses, arrayed as a man for battle against you, O daughter of Babylon!
Jeremiah 50:42 nlt
They are armed with bows and spears.
They are cruel and show no mercy.
As they ride forward on horses,
they sound like a roaring sea.
They are coming in battle formation,
planning to destroy you, Babylon.
Jeremiah 50 42 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 50:42 | They are armed with bows and spears; they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea... | Divine Judgment against Babylon |
| Isa 13:3 | I have commanded my called-out ones; I have also summoned my warriors... | Judgment from the East |
| Isa 45:1-3 | Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped... | God uses pagan nations as instruments |
| Jer 51:11 | Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes... | Medes empowered by God |
| Jer 25:9 | but I will summon all the peoples of the north,' declares the LORD. 'I will send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon... | Babylon as God's servant |
| Jer 50:29 | Summon archers against Babylon, all who draw the bow; encamp against her on every side. Let no one escape... | Mobilizing forces against Babylon |
| Jer 46:3-6 | "Draw up the shields, and the horsemen! Take your positions, you horsemen! Polish your spears... | Judgment on Egypt, similar imagery |
| Psa 127:1 | Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city... | Reliance on the Lord for defense |
| Psa 37:30 | The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. | Righteous speech vs. enemy power |
| Prov 2:12 | Wisdom will save you from the way of evil, from men who speak twisted things. | Wisdom against destructive forces |
| Matt 7:24-25 | Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock... | Foundation in obedience |
| Rev 18:1-3 | After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the land was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted... | Fall of Babylon depicted |
| Rev 14:20 | The grapes were trampled in the great wine press of God’s wrath outside the city. | Divine wrath and judgment |
| Jer 4:30 | When you are devastated, what will you do? Though you dress in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with golden ornaments, though you enlarge your eyes with kohl... | Babylon's futility in defense |
| Isa 21:2 | A grim vision has been shown to me. The traitor has betrayed, and the destroyer has destroyed. Elam, march! Media, lay siege! I will end all her groans. | Media's role in judgment |
| Dan 5:28 | Persia and Media shall divide your kingdom and be given to you. | Medes and Persians in prophecy |
| Zech 1:18-21 | I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, four horns. And I said to the angel who spoke with me, “What are these?” He answered me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah... | Powers that scatter and oppress |
| Rev 19:15 | From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. | Christ's judgment |
| Jer 50:21 | Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Pursue, strike, and utterly devote to destruction (her), says the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded you. | Instructions for attack |
| Jer 2:12 | Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be flinty and very desolate, says the LORD, | Heaven's response to sin |
Jeremiah 50 verses
Jeremiah 50 42 Meaning
Jeremiah 50:42 describes the overwhelming might and unstoppable advance of a powerful enemy force, identified by context as the Medes, who are likened to an unyielding and destructive power, bringing about divine judgment.
Jeremiah 50 42 Context
Jeremiah 50 prophesies the fall of Babylon, a dominant empire in the ancient Near East. The chapter describes the divine judgment that will befall Babylon for its sins against God's people, Israel. Chapter 50 shifts from describing the general fall of Babylon to detailing the specific forces God will use to bring about its destruction. This verse, 50:42, specifically identifies the characteristics and overwhelming nature of these instruments of judgment, particularly highlighting the role of the Medes. Historically, the Medes, along with the Persians, were the forces that ultimately conquered Babylon in 539 BCE, fulfilling this prophecy. The contemporary audience would have understood the military might of such armies and the dread they inspired. The verse stands as a stark warning to those who defy God, showing that He can and will use any force, even seemingly harsh ones, to execute His justice.
Jeremiah 50 42 Word Analysis
- "They": Refers back to the forces described in the preceding verses, specifically identified contextually as the Medes.
- "are armed": Indicates readiness for battle, equipped with the necessary weapons.
- "with bows": A primary weapon of ancient warfare, signifying range and destructive capability, particularly relevant to Median and Persian military tactics.
- "and spears": Another significant weapon of warfare, suggesting close-quarters combat and the ability to pierce and conquer.
- "they are cruel": Highlights their relentless and merciless nature in warfare, a characteristic that contributes to their effectiveness as agents of judgment.
- "and show no mercy": Emphasizes the totality of their destructive purpose, leaving no room for compassion or appeasement, which is typical of divine judgment described in scripture.
- "They sound like the roaring sea": A powerful simile comparing their approach to the overwhelming, inescapable, and deafening roar of a tempestuous ocean. This conveys their vast numbers, their unified force, and the fear they instilled.
Word Group Analysis
- "armed with bows and spears": This phrase collectively describes a well-equipped and ready military force. The combination of ranged and close-combat weapons signifies their comprehensive threat and ability to engage enemies in various ways. This militaristic imagery underscores their role as instruments of divine wrath, bringing destruction to the enemy of God's people.
Jeremiah 50 42 Bonus Section
The concept of God using foreign, even hostile nations as instruments of His judgment is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and others are described as "swords of God" or being raised up by God to punish Israel or other nations for their sins. This reflects God's ultimate control over all earthly powers and His ability to work His sovereign will through human actions, even when those actors do not acknowledge Him. The conquest of Babylon by Cyrus the Great of Persia, which involved the Medes prominently, is a historical event that underscores the prophetic accuracy of Jeremiah's writings. This prophecy serves as a testament to divine foreknowledge and the execution of judgment according to God's sovereign plan.
Jeremiah 50 42 Commentary
Jeremiah 50:42 vividly portrays the impending doom of Babylon through the advance of its conquerors. The verse employs potent imagery to emphasize the overwhelming and merciless nature of the attacking army, identified as the Medes in context. Their armament with bows and spears signifies their complete military readiness and effectiveness. The description of their cruelty and lack of mercy highlights their role as agents of God’s unyielding judgment. The powerful simile comparing their approach to the "roaring sea" conveys a sense of inescapable doom and immense destructive power. This verse serves as a crucial element in understanding God's sovereignty over nations and His use of even ungodly forces to accomplish His purposes and punish wickedness.