Jeremiah 6:23 kjv
They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
Jeremiah 6:23 nkjv
They will lay hold on bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy; Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, As men of war set in array against you, O daughter of Zion."
Jeremiah 6:23 niv
They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, Daughter Zion."
Jeremiah 6:23 esv
They lay hold on bow and javelin; they are cruel and have no mercy; the sound of them is like the roaring sea; they ride on horses, set in array as a man for battle, against you, O daughter of Zion!"
Jeremiah 6:23 nlt
They are armed with bows and spears.
They are cruel and show no mercy.
They sound like a roaring sea
as they ride forward on horses.
They are coming in battle formation,
planning to destroy you, beautiful Jerusalem. "
Jeremiah 6 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 28:49-50 | The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth... A fierce-looking nation... showing no regard for the old or pity for the young. | Prophecy of future invasion and lack of mercy |
| Isa 5:26-30 | He lifts up a banner for the distant nations... they come with speed and swiftness... no one sleeps or slumbers; no belt is loose, no sandal thong broken... | Description of a swift and disciplined invading army |
| Isa 13:3-5 | I have commanded my consecrated ones; I have even called my mighty warriors to execute my anger... a battle cry of nations gathering for war! | God using foreign nations as instruments of judgment |
| Jer 4:5-7 | Announce in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem: "Blow the trumpet throughout the land!" Cry aloud and say: "Gather together! Let us flee to the fortified cities!" ... from the north an evil bursts forth... | Warning of impending invasion from the North |
| Jer 5:15-17 | Behold, I am bringing against you a nation from afar... It is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know, nor can you understand what they say... | Another prophecy of a powerful, unfamiliar invader |
| Jer 50:41-43 | "Look! An army is coming from the north... a mighty nation and many kings are stirring up from the ends of the earth... they are cruel and show no mercy." | Prophecy of Babylonian cruelty (echoes Jer 6:23) |
| Ezek 21:28 | "You, son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Lord GOD says concerning the Ammonites and their taunts:’" ... | Prophetic warning against another nation's judgment |
| Joel 2:1-11 | Blow the trumpet in Zion... A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness... A numerous and powerful army never before seen nor ever will be. | Description of a terrifying, overwhelming army |
| Nah 2:3-4 | The shields of his mighty men are red; his warriors are dressed in scarlet... The chariots dash madly through the streets... like torchlit flames... | Vivid depiction of a menacing, approaching army |
| Hab 1:6-10 | For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that fierce and impetuous nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and authority proceed from themselves. | God raising up the Chaldeans (Babylonians) for judgment |
| Lam 2:1-5 | How the Lord in His anger has put the Daughter of Zion in gloom! ...He has swallowed up Israel; He has swallowed up all her palaces; He has destroyed her strongholds... | Fulfillment of the judgment on "Daughter Zion" |
| Rom 1:31 | senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. | Description of those without God's moral compass, leading to cruelty |
| 2 Tim 3:1-5 | But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. | Characteristics of an unrighteous generation lacking mercy |
| Zech 12:7-8 | The Lord will save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not be too great above Judah. | Prophecy of Jerusalem's future deliverance from invaders |
| Rev 6:4 | And another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. | Imagery of war and violence |
| Jer 1:13-16 | The word of the LORD came to me a second time: "What do you see?" And I answered, "I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north." Then the LORD said to me, "Out of the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in this land." | Early prophetic vision of northern invaders |
| Jer 25:9-11 | I will send for all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon... I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants... and make this whole country a desolate wasteland... | God explicitly naming Babylon as His instrument |
| Isa 17:12 | Oh, the uproar of many peoples that roar like the roaring of the sea! Oh, the tumult of nations that surge like the surging of mighty waters! | Similar imagery of nations' tumult compared to the sea |
| Ezek 26:7 | For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: From the north I am going to bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon... with horses and chariots, with horsemen and a great army. | Babylon's military might described against Tyre |
| Psa 46:6 | The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. | Nations' tumult as an expression of divine action |
Jeremiah 6 verses
Jeremiah 6 23 Meaning
Jeremiah 6:23 vividly portrays the impending foreign invader, typically understood to be the Babylonian army, as an overwhelmingly powerful, relentlessly cruel, and meticulously organized force of judgment against Judah, personified as "Daughter Zion" (Jerusalem). The verse emphasizes their full military readiness, complete lack of compassion, terrifying collective sound, and precise battle formation, signaling an unavoidable and devastating destruction.
Jeremiah 6 23 Context
Jeremiah chapter 6 continues the prophet's stern warnings to Judah regarding the imminent invasion from the North, which is presented as God's instrument of judgment for their persistent idolatry, social injustice, and refusal to heed divine warnings. The preceding verses (vv. 22-25) specifically describe the identity and attributes of this terrifying enemy. This particular verse, Jeremiah 6:23, functions as a chilling snapshot, providing vivid details of the enemy's character and military readiness, underscoring the severity of the impending doom. "Daughter Zion" is a poetic and tender personification of Jerusalem, highlighting the profound tragedy that such a cruel fate is befalling the city historically chosen by God, but which has now departed from Him. The broader context of Jeremiah's prophecies indicates that this judgment is not arbitrary but a just consequence of Judah's covenant unfaithfulness and spiritual corruption, despite repeated calls for repentance.
Jeremiah 6 23 Word analysis
- They grasp (יַחֲזִיקוּ, yaḥazīqu): The verb conveys a firm, active, and unyielding hold. It implies their weaponry is not merely carried but is actively clutched, ready for immediate use, signifying military preparedness and aggression.
- The bow (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet) and spear (כִּידוֹן, kîḏôn): These are primary offensive weapons of ancient warfare. The qeshet (bow) allowed for ranged attacks, while the kîḏôn (spear or javelin) was used for both throwing and thrusting in close combat. Their mention denotes a well-equipped and versatile army.
- They are cruel (אַכְזָרִי, ’akhzarî): This adjective signifies ferocity, ruthlessness, and brutality. It describes a complete lack of natural human pity or compassion, emphasizing the enemy's inhumane nature.
- And show no mercy (וְלֹא יְרַחֵמוּ, wəlō’ yəraḥēmū): This phrase reinforces "cruel," stating explicitly their inability or refusal to extend mercy (raḥam), which often translates to deep compassion, often of the kind a parent shows for a child. This characteristic is particularly significant as God often called His people to show mercy (Hos 6:6; Mic 6:8), and its absence here underscores the profound judgment.
- Their sound (קוֹלָם, qôlām): Refers to their collective noise, whether from their advance, war cries, or the movement of their vast numbers.
- Is like the roaring sea (כַּיָּם יֶהֱמֶה, kayyām yeheme): This potent simile evokes the overwhelming, chaotic, and terrifying sound of an unrestrained ocean. It suggests a vast, unstoppable host, generating immense noise, inspiring dread, and signifying an irresistible, destructive force.
- They ride on horses (וְעַל סוּסִים, wə‘al sûsîm): Highlights their cavalry, indicating speed, maneuverability, and shock tactics, typical of formidable armies of that era (e.g., Assyrians, Babylonians).
- Set in array (עֲרוּכִים, ‘ărûkhîm): This word implies ordered ranks, discipline, and precise formation, signifying a professional, well-organized military, not a chaotic mob.
- As men for war (כְּאִישׁ מִלְחָמָה, kə’îš milḥāmâ): This phrase describes them as dedicated, skilled warriors, entirely focused on battle, embodying the very essence of combat. It suggests a single-minded purpose towards destruction.
- Against you (עָלַיִךְ, ‘ālayikh): The preposition makes the targeting explicit and personal, directly confronting Jerusalem/Judah.
- Daughter Zion (בַּת-צִיּוֹן, bat-Tziyyôn): A tender, affectionate personification of Jerusalem, highlighting its special place in God's covenant history. This contrasts sharply with the cruel and merciless nature of the invaders, emphasizing the tragedy of the chosen city falling to such a brutal fate.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "They grasp the bow and spear": This phrase instantly conveys a sense of readiness and lethal intent. It's not just that they possess weapons, but they are actively prepared to use them, highlighting immediate military threat.
- "They are cruel and show no mercy": This pairing emphasizes the enemy's complete lack of humanity. Their actions will be driven by harshness without any softening or compassion, ensuring maximum devastation and suffering for the vanquished.
- "Their sound is like the roaring sea": This auditory imagery suggests an overwhelming and terrifying approach. The analogy to the sea depicts not just loudness, but an uncontainable, surging force that sweeps all before it, inspiring paralyzing fear.
- "They ride on horses, set in array as men for war": This composite description paints a picture of a highly professional, mobile, and disciplined military. Cavalry brings speed, while being "set in array" indicates strategic planning and organized, overwhelming power. "Men for war" conveys their sole, single-minded focus on battle.
- "Against you, Daughter Zion": This direct address makes the prophetic warning deeply personal and specifically targeted. It elevates the tragedy, as this beloved, albeit rebellious, city faces its dreadful judgment from an implacable foe.
Jeremiah 6 23 Bonus section
The consistent depiction of the invading army coming from the "North" in Jeremiah (e.g., Jer 1:13-15; 4:6; 6:1) is significant. In ancient Israelite geography, the north was not just a compass direction but often carried symbolic weight, being a primary route for invaders and sometimes associated with divine judgment or chaos (e.g., mythical sources of evil). The use of such a descriptive and fearsome account for the Babylonians also serves as an indictment of Judah; their own sins of idolatry and injustice made them worthy of such a severe, "measure for measure" punishment, reflecting a lack of compassion (on their part towards others) met with a lack of compassion from their invaders.
Jeremiah 6 23 Commentary
Jeremiah 6:23 serves as a chilling summary of the formidable threat Judah faced from the North. The verse functions as a profound prophetic warning, detailing the characteristics of God's chosen instrument of judgment. The enemy's military competence, evinced by their readiness with bows and spears, and their organized cavalry, makes them appear invincible. However, it is their moral depravity—being "cruel and showing no mercy"—that underlines the severe nature of the coming judgment. This lack of compassion echoes Judah's own failure to live mercifully, justly, and faithfully. The metaphor of their sound being "like the roaring sea" depicts an overwhelming, uncontainable, and terrifying force, against which no resistance seems possible. The target, "Daughter Zion," underscores the tragic paradox of God's covenant people facing utter destruction. This verse encapsulates the theological reality that prolonged rebellion against God eventually brings forth His just judgment, often through severe, external means. It compels an understanding that divine patience has limits, and unrepentant sin leads to dire consequences, executed even by the most brutal of agents.