Jeremiah 50 42

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 verses

Jeremiah 50 42 meaning

Jeremiah 50:42 vividly describes the military prowess, relentless aggression, and merciless character of the invading forces destined to conquer Babylon. These attackers, called by God from the north, are portrayed as a powerful and overwhelming army, fully equipped and organized for battle, bringing swift and destructive judgment upon Babylon.

Jeremiah 50 42 Context

Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51 comprise an extended prophecy against Babylon, announcing its imminent and total destruction. This prophecy comes after Jeremiah's long laments and judgments against Judah for their sins, and God's use of Babylon as an instrument to discipline His people. Now, God declares His judgment against Babylon for its excessive pride, its cruel oppression of nations, and especially for its severe treatment of His chosen people beyond divine instruction. The context preceding verse 42 speaks of a great nation from the north gathering against Babylon (vv. 41), armed with bows and spears, and how fear will grip the land. Verse 42 further details the terrifying character and overwhelming force of these invaders, serving as a specific, vivid picture within this larger prophecy of Babylon's downfall. Historically, this refers to the Medes and Persians under Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon in 539 BCE.

Jeremiah 50 42 Word analysis

• "They lay hold on bow and spear":

  • "lay hold" (יַאֲחֵזוּ, ya'akhēzū): From the root אָחַז ('āḥaz), meaning to grasp, seize, take hold of. This implies readiness, a firm grip, and skilled use of weapons. It conveys the invaders are not just carrying weapons but are prepared and adept at using them for war.
  • "bow" (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet): A primary ranged weapon, used for distance attack. Significant for ancient warfare, enabling harassment and weakening of enemies before close combat.
  • "spear" (כִּידוֹן, kîydôn): A long, pointed weapon for thrusting or throwing in close quarters. Alongside the bow, it indicates a complete armament for both distant and hand-to-hand combat, representing a formidable and fully equipped military.
  • Word-group analysis: "They lay hold on bow and spear" signifies complete military preparedness and prowess, depicting an army ready for all forms of engagement, emphasizing their martial strength and resolve.

• "they are cruel and have no mercy":

  • "cruel" (אַכְזָרִי, 'akhzari): Fierce, ruthless, savage, heartless. This attribute mirrors Babylon's own past actions (cf. Jer 6:23, Hab 1:6-7) and signals that divine judgment often involves a reciprocal punishment where the oppressor experiences their own methods.
  • "have no mercy" (לֹא יְרַחֵמוּ, lō' y'raḥēmū): Literally "they will not pity/compassion." A direct, explicit denial of any tenderness or softening. It underlines their pitiless intent, showing they will spare no one—women, children, or the elderly—making the conquest utterly devastating.
  • Word-group analysis: This phrase paints a grim portrait of the invaders' character: utterly merciless and savage. It underscores the severity of Babylon's impending judgment, implying the invaders will replicate the very ruthlessness Babylon had inflicted upon others.

• "their voice roareth like the sea":

  • "voice" (קוֹלָם, qōlām): Their sound, cry, roar, or clamor.
  • "roareth" (יֶהֱמֶה, yehemme): From הָמָה (hāmmāh), to roar, rage, growl, make a loud noise, surge. This verb conveys a deep, thunderous, and continuous sound.
  • "like the sea" (כַּיָּם, kayyām): The simile evokes an overwhelming, uncontrollable, and incessant sound—the immense, collective roar of a massive army in motion. This implies their vast numbers and the terror their approach instills. It's a common biblical metaphor for immense, uncontrollable power and vast populations (e.g., Isa 17:12, Rev 17:15).
  • Word-group analysis: This powerful simile portrays the immense scale and overwhelming nature of the invading army. The roar "like the sea" signifies not only their terrifying sound but also their vast numbers and irresistible, destructive force.

• "and they ride upon horses":

  • "ride" (יִרְכָּבוּ, yirkāḇū): To ride, mount. Indicates cavalry.
  • "upon horses" (עַל סוּסִים, 'al sûsîm): Horses represent swift movement, power, and often shock tactics in ancient warfare. An army with strong cavalry was typically dominant and could cover vast distances quickly, reflecting the rapid conquest by the Persians.
  • Word-group analysis: "They ride upon horses" highlights their mobility, speed, and significant military advantage through cavalry, enabling them to strike swiftly and with great impact.

• "set in array as men for battle against thee":

  • "set in array" (עָרוּךְ, ‘ārûḵ): From עָרַךְ (‘ārakh), meaning to set in order, arrange, array. Denotes discipline, organization, and tactical formation.
  • "as men for battle" (אִישׁ כְּמִלְחָמָה, ’îsh k'milḥāmāh): Each man is individually prepared for war. This signifies a professional, organized military, not a disorganized rabble. They are well-trained and focused on the singular purpose of conquest.
  • "against thee" (עָלַיִךְ, 'alayikh): Directed towards "daughter of Babylon." Direct confrontation and focused attack.
  • "O daughter of Babylon" (בַּת בָּבֶל, bat Bāvel): A common idiom referring to the city/nation of Babylon, personifying it. This address makes the prophecy personal and direct, emphasizing Babylon as the clear target of this terrifying, organized force.
  • Word-group analysis: This phrase emphasizes the methodical, disciplined, and purposeful nature of the invasion. It describes a professional army, not a mere band of plunderers, strategically arranged and dedicated to the complete subjugation of Babylon. The direct address "O daughter of Babylon" personifies the doomed city.

Jeremiah 50 42 Bonus section

• The description of the northern invaders' cruelty in Jer 50:42 strikingly echoes earlier descriptions of Babylon's own cruelty when God used them to judge Judah (Jer 6:23, Hab 1:6-10). This creates a powerful poetic justice within the prophetic narrative, showing Babylon experiencing what it inflicted.
• The use of "daughter of Babylon" is a common literary device (personification) that lends a poignant tone to the judgment, addressing the nation as if it were an individual destined for ruin, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of its fall.
• While describing a historical event, the themes of an unstoppable force representing divine judgment and a powerful empire falling due to its cruelty resonate across biblical narratives, particularly with the symbolic "Babylon the Great" in the Book of Revelation, which embodies systems of oppressive evil facing ultimate judgment.
• The phrase "roareth like the sea" links to the idea of chaos in ancient thought; here, it is not an uncontrollable force of nature, but a controlled chaos deployed by Yahweh, emphasizing His ultimate dominion over all earthly powers and cosmic forces.

Jeremiah 50 42 Commentary

Jeremiah 50:42 is a prophetic hammer blow against Babylon, detailing the characteristics of the "nations from the north" (Jer 50:41) whom God would use as His instrument of judgment. The description is both literal, foretelling the military tactics and attributes of the Persian-Median forces under Cyrus, and metaphorical, conveying the terrifying reality of divine retribution.

The imagery of soldiers seizing "bow and spear" speaks to their preparedness and mastery of both ranged and close combat, indicating a comprehensive and deadly military. Their "cruel and have no mercy" character directly contrasts with the compassion that Babylon denied its captives, demonstrating a powerful example of lex talionis—the punishment fitting the crime. God, in His justice, often employs ruthless nations to bring down equally ruthless oppressors.

The roaring "like the sea" powerfully symbolizes the immense size and unstoppable nature of the invading army. This ancient Near Eastern motif for overwhelming chaos and multitude is harnessed by the prophet to portray an irresistibly surging force. Combined with their riding "upon horses," swiftness and strategic depth are emphasized, typical of powerful empires. Finally, being "set in array as men for battle" underscores the disciplined and organized assault, contrasting with the often-depicted disarray of defeated forces. The direct address, "O daughter of Babylon," makes the prophecy personal, cementing the understanding that this overwhelming force is unequivocally aimed at the very heart of the Babylonian empire. This verse profoundly underscores God's sovereignty over history and nations, demonstrating His ability to raise and humble empires according to His righteous will.