King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and [are] innumerable.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They cut down her forest," says ADONAI, "for they cannot be numbered; yes, there are more of them than locusts, far too many to count.
Berean Standard Bible:
They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted.
American Standard Version:
They shall cut down her forest, saith Jehovah, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the locusts, and are innumerable.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
They shall cut down{H3772} her forest{H3293}, saith{H5002} the LORD{H3068}, though it cannot be searched{H2713}; because they are more{H7231} than the grasshoppers{H697}, and are innumerable{H369}{H4557}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Judges 7:12
- And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels [were] without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
Judges 6:5
- For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; [for] both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
Joel 2:25
- And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
Isaiah 10:18
- And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.
Ezekiel 20:46
- Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop [thy word] toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
Revelation 9:2
- And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
Revelation 9:10
- And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power [was] to hurt men five months.
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Commentary for Jeremiah 46:23
Jeremiah 46:23 is part of the prophecies delivered by the prophet Jeremiah concerning the nations, specifically focused on Egypt in this chapter. The historical context of this verse is set around the time of the decline of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of the Babylonian Empire, which occurred in the late 7th to early 6th centuries BCE. Egypt, which had its own ambitions of power and influence, was about to face a significant defeat at the hands of the Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar.
In this verse, the LORD speaks through Jeremiah, foretelling the destruction that will come upon Egypt. The imagery used is vivid and symbolic: Egypt's might is compared to a forest, a symbol of strength and prosperity. However, this forest is destined to be cut down, indicating that Egypt's power will be decimated. The phrase "though it cannot be searched" suggests that Egypt's strength is vast and overwhelming, yet it will not prevent the nation's downfall.
The latter part of the verse uses the imagery of grasshoppers to describe the Babylonian forces. Grasshoppers, being small but numerous, are often used in the Bible to convey the idea of a multitude that is beyond counting. This metaphor emphasizes the overwhelming size and power of the Babylonian army, which will descend upon Egypt like a swarm, leaving it defenseless.
The themes present in this verse include the sovereignty of God over nations, the fulfillment of divine judgment against pride and arrogance, and the humbling of human power in the face of God's will. Jeremiah's message serves as a warning that no matter how strong or numerous a nation's defenders may be, they are not beyond the reach of God's judgment, especially when they have strayed from His purposes. This verse also reflects the broader biblical theme of God using one nation to punish another, as He did with Babylon against Egypt, and ultimately, against Judah itself.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3772
There are 280 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּרַת
Transliteration: kârath
Pronunciation: kaw-rath'
Description: a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces); be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. - Strong's Number: H3293
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעַר
Transliteration: yaʻar
Pronunciation: yah'-ar
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees); (honey-) comb, forest, wood. - Strong's Number: H5002
There are 358 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נְאֻם
Transliteration: nᵉʼum
Pronunciation: neh-oom'
Description: from נָאַם; an oracle; (hath) said, saith. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H2713
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָקַר
Transliteration: châqar
Pronunciation: khaw-kar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately; find out, (make) search (out), seek (out), sound, try. - Strong's Number: H7231
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבַב
Transliteration: râbab
Pronunciation: raw-bab'
Description: a primitive root; (compare רָבִיב); also as denominative from רְבָבָה; properly, to cast together , i.e. increase, especially in number; to multiply by the myriad; increase, be many(-ifold), be more, multiply, ten thousands. - Strong's Number: H697
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְבֶּה
Transliteration: ʼarbeh
Pronunciation: ar-beh'
Description: from רָבָה; a locust (from its rapid increase); grasshopper, locust. - Strong's Number: H369
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַיִן
Transliteration: ʼayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: as if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle; else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare אַיִן. - Strong's Number: H4557
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִסְפָּר
Transliteration: miçpâr
Pronunciation: mis-pawr'
Description: from סָפַר; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration; [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time.