Jeremiah 46:22

The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.

The voice {H6963} thereof shall go {H3212} like a serpent {H5175}; for they shall march {H3212} with an army {H2428}, and come {H935} against her with axes {H7134}, as hewers {H2404} of wood {H6086}.

Egypt hisses like a snake, as the enemy's army marches ahead, attacking her with their axes like lumbermen chopping trees.

Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees.

The sound thereof shall go like the serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.

Jeremiah 46:22 KJV presents a vivid and chilling prophecy regarding the defeat of Egypt by the Babylonian army. This verse is part of a larger oracle against Egypt, emphasizing its downfall despite its former might.

Historical and Cultural Context

This prophecy is set against the backdrop of the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, a tumultuous period when the Neo-Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar, was rising to global dominance. Jeremiah's prophecies against nations, including Egypt, often reflect the geopolitical shifts of his time, particularly the decisive Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) where Babylon severely defeated Egyptian forces led by Pharaoh Necho II. This verse paints a picture of the aftermath, depicting Egypt's humiliation and the relentless advance of its conquerors.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse underscores God's sovereign control over the nations and His use of one power (Babylon) to execute judgment upon another (Egypt). It reveals that no nation, however powerful, is beyond divine reckoning.
  • Utter Defeat and Humiliation: The imagery vividly conveys Egypt's complete subjugation. Its "voice going like a serpent" suggests a low, mournful, perhaps even panicked sound of retreat or a defeated hiss, contrasting sharply with its former roar of power.
  • Relentless Destruction: The comparison of the Babylonian army to "hewers of wood" with "axes" is powerful. It signifies a thorough, unsparing destruction, as if Egypt itself were a forest being systematically cut down, leaving nothing standing. This is not merely a battle, but a systematic dismantling of a nation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The voice thereof shall go like a serpent" (KJV) uses the Hebrew word nachash (נָחָשׁ). While serpents are often associated with cunning or evil (as in the Garden of Eden narrative), here it more likely evokes the sound of a slithering, retreating creature – a low, mournful, or hissing sound of a defeated army in panicked flight, or perhaps the stealthy, overwhelming advance of the enemy. The "axes" (Hebrew qardom, קַרְדֹּם) emphasizes the brutal efficiency and destructive nature of the Babylonian assault, portraying them as relentless destroyers rather than mere warriors.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 46:22 serves as a timeless reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty over human affairs and the rise and fall of empires. It teaches that reliance on military might or national strength, apart from God, is ultimately futile. For believers, it reinforces the truth that God's plans will always prevail, and He can use any instrument to fulfill His purposes, even seemingly destructive forces. It encourages a deeper trust in God's power and justice, rather than in earthly powers that are destined to fade. This passage also highlights the severe consequences of national pride and opposition to God's will, serving as a cautionary tale for all generations.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 29:4

    And thou shalt be brought down, [and] shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

  • Isaiah 14:8

    Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, [and] the cedars of Lebanon, [saying], Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

  • Micah 1:8

    ¶ Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.

  • Isaiah 10:33

    Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature [shall be] hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.

  • Isaiah 10:34

    And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

  • Zechariah 11:2

    Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.

  • Isaiah 37:24

    By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, [and] the forest of his Carmel.

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