King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel, without compassion; their sound is like the roaring sea, as they ride forth on horses. Their men take their battle positions against you, daughter of Bavel.
Berean Standard Bible:
They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.
American Standard Version:
They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, every one set in array, as a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
They shall hold{H2388} the bow{H7198} and the lance{H3591}: they are cruel{H394}, and will not shew mercy{H7355}: their voice{H6963} shall roar{H1993} like the sea{H3220}, and they shall ride{H7392} upon horses{H5483}, every one put in array{H6186}, like a man{H376} to the battle{H4421}, against thee, O daughter{H1323} of Babylon{H894}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 5:30
- And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if [one] look unto the land, behold darkness [and] sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.
Jeremiah 8:16
- The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.
Isaiah 47:6
- I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
Jeremiah 47:3
- At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong [horses], at the rushing of his chariots, [and at] the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to [their] children for feebleness of hands;
Isaiah 13:17
- Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and [as for] gold, they shall not delight in it.
Isaiah 13:18
- [Their] bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.
Psalms 74:20
- Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Jeremiah 50:42
Jeremiah 50:42 is part of a larger prophetic oracle against Babylon found in Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. This verse vividly depicts the enemies of Babylon poised for battle, emphasizing their ruthlessness and lack of compassion. The imagery of holding bows and lances, roaring like the sea, and riding horses prepared for war conveys a sense of overwhelming force and ferocity. The phrase "daughter of Babylon" is a poetic reference to the city of Babylon itself, personifying it as a nation or a significant power of the time.
Historically, this verse reflects the geopolitical tensions and conflicts of the ancient Near East, particularly during the time leading up to the fall of Babylon. Babylon, once the dominant empire, had become known for its oppressive rule and the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophecy speaks to the eventual retribution that would befall Babylon, as it would eventually be conquered by the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE.
The broader themes in this verse include divine retribution, the downfall of empires, and the sovereignty of God over the nations. It serves as a warning that even the mightiest empires will face judgment for their cruelty and injustice. The verse also reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of using militaristic and violent imagery to convey the power and majesty of divine judgment. For the original audience, this prophecy would have been a source of hope, assuring them that their oppressors would not go unpunished and that God had not abandoned His people.
*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: H2388
There are 266 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָזַק
Transliteration: châzaq
Pronunciation: khaw-zak'
Description: a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. - Strong's Number: H7198
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶשֶׁת
Transliteration: qesheth
Pronunciation: keh'-sheth
Description: from קָשָׁה in the original sense (of קוֹשׁ) of bending; a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris; [idiom] arch(-er), [phrase] arrow, bow(-man, -shot). - Strong's Number: H3591
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כִּידוֹן
Transliteration: kîydôwn
Pronunciation: kee-dohn'
Description: from the same as כִּיד; (perhaps smaller than חֲנִיתlemma חֲניִת second vowel, corrected to חֲנִית); properly, something to strike with, i.e. a dart; lance, shield, spear, target. - Strong's Number: H394
There are 949 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַכְזָרִי
Transliteration: ʼakzârîy
Pronunciation: ak-zawr-ree'
Description: from אַכְזָר; terrible; cruel (one). - Strong's Number: H7355
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָחַם
Transliteration: râcham
Pronunciation: raw-kham'
Description: a primitive root; to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate; have compassion (on, upon), love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy(-iful, on, upon), (have) pity, Ruhamah, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H6963
There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוֹל
Transliteration: qôwl
Pronunciation: kole
Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. - Strong's Number: H1993
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָמָה
Transliteration: hâmâh
Pronunciation: haw-maw'
Description: a primitive root (compare הוּם); to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor; clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar. - Strong's Number: H3220
There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָם
Transliteration: yâm
Pronunciation: yawm
Description: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H7392
There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָכַב
Transliteration: râkab
Pronunciation: raw-kab'
Description: a primitive root; to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch; bring (on (horse-) back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-) back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set. - Strong's Number: H5483
There are 131 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סוּס
Transliteration: çûwç
Pronunciation: soos
Description: or סֻס; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight); crane, horse (-back, -hoof). Compare פָּרָשׁ. - Strong's Number: H6186
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָרַךְ
Transliteration: ʻârak
Pronunciation: aw-rak'
Description: a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications); put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle), ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax, value. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H4421
There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
Transliteration: milchâmâh
Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). - Strong's Number: H1323
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּת
Transliteration: bath
Pronunciation: bath
Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. - Strong's Number: H894
There are 233 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּבֶל
Transliteration: Bâbel
Pronunciation: baw-bel'
Description: from בָּלַל; confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire; Babel, Babylon.