Jeremiah 46:21

KJV

Also her hired men [are] in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, [and] are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, [and] the time of their visitation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also her hired men {H7916} are in the midst {H7130} of her like fatted {H4770} bullocks {H5695}; for they also are turned back {H6437}, and are fled away {H5127} together {H3162}: they did not stand {H5975}, because the day {H3117} of their calamity {H343} was come {H935} upon them, and the time {H6256} of their visitation {H6486}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Her mercenaries too, that she had with her, were like well-fed calves in a stable; but they too have withdrawn in retreat, they all ran away without standing their ground. For their day of disaster has come over them, the time for them to be punished.

Berean Standard Bible

Even the mercenaries among her are like fattened calves. They too will turn back; together they will flee, they will not stand their ground, for the day of calamity is coming upon them— the time of their punishment.

American Standard Version

Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back, they are fled away together, they did not stand: for the day of their calamity is come upon them, the time of their visitation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 46:21 vividly portrays the ignominious defeat of Egypt's mercenary army, likening its well-fed "hired men" to "fatted bullocks" who, despite their apparent strength, turn back and flee in disarray. The verse underscores the futility of human military might and alliances when confronted with the sovereign hand of God, whose appointed "day of their calamity" and "time of their visitation" for judgment cannot be resisted or evaded. It serves as a powerful declaration of divine sovereignty over nations and the certainty of God's righteous reckoning.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 46 initiates a series of prophetic oracles against foreign nations, marking a significant shift in the book's focus from Judah's internal struggles and impending judgment to God's universal dominion over all peoples. This chapter specifically targets Egypt, a powerful regional player that frequently served as a deceptive ally or formidable foe to Judah. Verses 1-12 detail a specific, decisive defeat of Pharaoh Necho II's army by Nebuchadnezzar at [Carchemish](/jeremiah/46-2 "Jeremiah 46:2 - The Battle of Carchemish"). Jeremiah 46:21 falls within this prophetic oracle, contributing to the broader picture of Egypt's humiliation and the dismantling of its military might. The preceding verses set the scene of the battle, highlighting Egypt's preparations and boasting, while the subsequent verses continue to describe Egypt's downfall and the ultimate triumph of Babylon, God's chosen instrument of judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 46 primarily concerns the [Battle of Carchemish](/jeremiah/46-2 "Jeremiah 46:2 - The Battle of Carchemish") in 605 BC, a pivotal moment where the rising Babylonian Empire decisively defeated the combined forces of Egypt and the remnants of the Assyrian Empire. Egypt, a dominant power, frequently employed foreign mercenaries, known as "hired men," to supplement its native army. These soldiers, often from various nations, were renowned for their strength and fighting prowess, forming a significant component of Egypt's military strategy. The imagery of "fatted bullocks" would have resonated deeply with an agricultural society, depicting animals that were well-nourished and seemingly robust, prepared for a specific purpose—in this case, battle or sacrifice. The verse's emphasis on their sudden and collective flight highlights the profound shock and demoralization that would sweep through an army accustomed to victory and perceived invincibility, particularly when facing a divinely orchestrated defeat.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 46:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **Futility of Human Strength and Alliances**, demonstrating that even a formidable military, bolstered by well-equipped mercenaries, is powerless against God's determined judgment. This aligns with Jeremiah's consistent message that trusting in human power or foreign nations (like Egypt, as seen in [Jeremiah 37:7](/jeremiah/37-7 "Jeremiah 37:7 - Egypt's Futile Help")) rather than the Lord leads to ruin. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Certainty and Timeliness of Divine Judgment**. Phrases like "the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation" emphasize God's sovereign control over history and His precise timing for executing justice upon nations, a theme echoed in prophecies against other nations throughout [Jeremiah 46-51](/jeremiah/46 "Jeremiah 46 - Prophecies Against Nations"). Finally, it highlights the **Shame and Disgrace of Defeat**, as the once-proud mercenaries are depicted as turning back and fleeing, unable to stand, a stark contrast to their presumed strength and valor.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hired men (Hebrew, _sâkîyr'_):** From the root meaning "to hire," this term (H7916) refers to a man at wages, a mercenary, or a hireling. In the context of ancient warfare, mercenaries were often relied upon for their skill and brute force, but their loyalty was primarily to their paymaster rather than to the nation itself. Their flight in this verse underscores the unreliability of such alliances when true crisis strikes, highlighting their lack of intrinsic commitment to Egypt's cause and their ultimate self-preservation over national defense.
* **Fatted bullocks (Hebrew, _marbêq ʻêgel'_):** This striking metaphor combines H4770 (_marbêq_), meaning "a stall" or "fattened," and H5695 (_ʻêgel_), meaning "a (male) calf" or "bullock." The image evokes animals that are well-fed, strong, and perhaps even pampered, suggesting the mercenaries were robust, well-provisioned, and seemingly prepared for battle. However, the underlying implication is that they are like cattle prepared for slaughter, emphasizing their ultimate helplessness and the inevitability of their demise despite their initial appearance of strength.
* **Visitation (Hebrew, _pᵉquddâh'_):** This feminine passive participle (H6486) carries a wide range of meanings, often related to official oversight or reckoning. While it can denote a positive "visitation" (e.g., God's blessing or care), in contexts of judgment, as here, it signifies a divine inspection or intervention to bring about consequences, often punitive. It implies a precise, appointed time when God "calls to account" or "visits" a nation to administer justice, confirming the certainty and divine origin of Egypt's impending doom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also her hired men [are] in the midst of her like fatted bullocks;":** This clause introduces the Egyptian mercenaries, described as being "in the midst" of Egypt, implying they were a significant, central part of its military strength. The powerful simile "like fatted bullocks" immediately sets up a contrast: these men appear strong, well-nourished, and ready, yet the comparison to animals destined for slaughter foreshadows their ultimate fate and lack of true power.
* **"for they also are turned back, [and] are fled away together:":** This explains the immediate consequence of the "fatted bullocks" imagery. Despite their apparent strength, they demonstrate cowardice and disarray. The phrase "turned back" (Hebrew: _pânâh_) signifies a complete reversal or turning away from the battle, while "fled away" (Hebrew: _nûwç_) emphasizes their panicked escape. The word "together" (Hebrew: _yachad_) highlights the collective, uncoordinated flight of the entire mercenary contingent, underscoring the collapse of their military cohesion.
* **"they did not stand,":** This short, emphatic clause directly states their failure to resist. It highlights their inability to hold their ground, to endure the assault, or to fulfill their purpose as soldiers. It is a stark declaration of their complete and utter defeat, emphasizing their lack of resolve and the overwhelming nature of the force they faced.
* **"because the day of their calamity was come upon them,":** This clause provides the divine reason for their flight and failure. The "day of their calamity" (Hebrew: _yôwm ʼêyd_) refers to an appointed time of disaster, misfortune, or ruin. This is not a random defeat but a divinely ordained consequence, signifying that their downfall was part of God's sovereign plan and an inescapable judgment.
* **"[and] the time of their visitation.":** This concluding phrase reinforces the previous one, emphasizing the precise and pre-determined nature of God's judgment. "Time" (Hebrew: _ʻêth_) indicates a specific, appointed season, and "visitation" (Hebrew: _pᵉquddâh_) here carries the strong connotation of a divine reckoning or punishment. It underscores that Egypt's defeat was not merely a military loss but a moment of divine accountability, a time when God intervened to bring about the consequences of their actions and pride.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 46:21 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of divine judgment. The most prominent is **Simile**, specifically the comparison of the "hired men" to "fatted bullocks." This vivid imagery is rich with **Irony**, as the bullocks, though strong and well-fed, are typically prepared for slaughter, not for battle. This juxtaposition highlights the mercenaries' apparent strength versus their ultimate helplessness and predetermined fate. The phrases "day of their calamity" and "time of their visitation" use **Metonymy**, where "day" and "time" stand for the entire event of judgment and destruction. Furthermore, the rapid sequence of actions—"turned back, and are fled away together: they did not stand"—creates a sense of **Climax** and rapid collapse, emphasizing the sudden and complete nature of their defeat. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Prophetic Oracle**, delivering a divine message of impending doom through symbolic language and stark declarations of divine sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 46:21 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty and the futility of human strength when pitted against God's purposes. It underscores that God is not merely the God of Israel but the sovereign Lord over all nations, capable of raising up and casting down empires according to His will. The defeat of Egypt's formidable mercenary army highlights the vanity of trusting in military might, wealth, or strategic alliances over reliance on the Almighty. This truth resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers that true security and victory come only from God, who orchestrates history and executes justice with perfect timing. The "day of calamity" and "time of visitation" speak to the certainty of divine judgment, a principle that applies to both nations and individuals who oppose God's righteous standards.

* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by His Army")
* [Proverbs 21:30-31](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30-31 - No Wisdom or Understanding Against the Lord")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 46:21 offers a timeless and sobering reflection on where we place our trust. Just as ancient Egypt relied on its "hired men" and military might, so too can we be tempted to place our security in worldly resources, personal abilities, financial stability, or powerful connections. This verse challenges us to examine our hearts: are we truly trusting in the sovereign God, or are we, like Egypt, putting our faith in "fatted bullocks" that will ultimately turn and flee when the "day of calamity" arrives? The certainty of God's "visitation"—whether for blessing or judgment—calls us to live lives of humble dependence and obedience. It reminds us that our only true refuge and strength is found in the Lord, whose plans cannot be thwarted and whose justice is inevitable. This passage encourages us to re-evaluate our priorities, shifting our reliance from the temporal and unreliable to the eternal and unchanging God, who alone can truly deliver and sustain us through every challenge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fatted bullocks" (i.e., sources of false security or pride) might I be relying on in my own life instead of God?**
* **How does the concept of an appointed "day of calamity" or "time of visitation" shape my understanding of God's justice and sovereignty?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to "flee" or "not stand" when faced with challenges, rather than trusting God's strength?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent reliance on God in my daily life, moving away from dependence on worldly assurances?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of calling the mercenaries "fatted bullocks"?**

Answer: The imagery of "fatted bullocks" is highly significant because it carries a double meaning. On one hand, it suggests that these mercenaries were strong, well-fed, and robust, implying they were formidable warriors, perhaps even pampered or overconfident. On the other hand, bullocks, especially "fatted" ones, were typically prepared for slaughter or sacrifice. This creates a powerful **irony**: seemingly strong and ready for battle, these soldiers are implicitly destined for destruction. It highlights the futility of their strength against God's judgment, as they are like animals prepared for their inevitable end, unable to resist. This metaphor underscores their ultimate helplessness and the certainty of their defeat, despite their initial appearance of might.

**Was Egypt's army entirely composed of mercenaries?**

Answer: No, Egypt's army was not entirely composed of mercenaries, but foreign "hired men" formed a significant and often crucial component of their military forces, especially during the Late Period. Ancient Egyptian armies typically consisted of native Egyptian soldiers alongside a substantial number of foreign auxiliaries and mercenaries recruited from various regions, including Libyans, Nubians, and Greeks. These mercenaries were valued for their distinct fighting styles and often formed elite units. Jeremiah 46:21 specifically highlights their presence and subsequent failure, emphasizing that even the addition of these formidable foreign fighters could not prevent God's ordained judgment upon Egypt, as seen in the defeat at [Carchemish](/jeremiah/46-2 "Jeremiah 46:2 - The Battle of Carchemish").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 46:21, while a prophecy of judgment against Egypt, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers and the establishment of true, eternal security in Jesus Christ. The "fatted bullocks" who fail to stand against God's appointed "day of calamity" foreshadow the futility of any human strength, wisdom, or alliance that opposes God's divine will. In contrast, Christ is the one who truly "stood" against the forces of sin and death, not fleeing but willingly laying down His life on the cross. His victory at Calvary was the ultimate "visitation" of God's justice and mercy, where He bore the "calamity" of humanity's sin, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Unlike the unreliable mercenaries, Christ's loyalty to His Father's mission was unwavering, and His sacrifice secured an eternal victory that no earthly power can undo ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Therefore, our security is not in "hired men" or worldly might, but in the resurrected Christ, who reigns supreme and offers refuge to all who trust in Him, for He is the [Rock of our salvation](/psalms/62-7 "Psalm 62:7 - God is Our Rock"). The judgment against Egypt points to the universal truth that every knee will one day bow to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 7:6

For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

Jeremiah 46:5

Wherefore have I seen them dismayed [and] turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: [for] fear [was] round about, saith the LORD.

Psalms 37:13

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

Obadiah 1:13

Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid [hands] on their substance in the day of their calamity;

Jeremiah 50:27

Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

Hosea 9:7

¶ The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

2 Samuel 10:6

¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.