Jeremiah 46:4

Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with [your] helmets; furbish the spears, [and] put on the brigandines.

Harness {H631} the horses {H5483}; and get up {H5927}, ye horsemen {H6571}, and stand forth {H3320} with your helmets {H3553}; furbish {H4838} the spears {H7420}, and put on {H3847} the brigandines {H5630}.

Harness the horses! Riders, mount! [Troops,] fall in! Helmets in place! Polish the spears! Coats of mail on!

Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor!

Harness the horses, and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail.

Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4 (KJV)

Jeremiah 46:4 is a vivid and urgent command, part of a prophetic oracle delivered by the prophet Jeremiah concerning Egypt's impending defeat. The verse describes the frenetic preparation of an army for battle, instructing soldiers to "Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with [your] helmets; furbish the spears, [and] put on the brigandines." This detailed portrayal of military readiness sets the stage for the dramatic reversal that God will bring upon this mighty nation.

Historical and Cultural Context

This prophecy, found in Jeremiah 46, specifically targets Egypt and its army, particularly in the context of the Battle of Carchemish (circa 605 BC). At this pivotal historical moment, Egypt, under Pharaoh Necho II, was a dominant power, known for its formidable military strength, including its chariots and horsemen. Jeremiah's message, however, reveals God's sovereign control over nations and their destinies. Despite Egypt's extensive preparations and military might, the Lord declares their inevitable downfall at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian forces. The commands in verse 4, therefore, carry a tone of prophetic irony, highlighting the futility of human effort when it stands against the divine will.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Futility of Human Strength: The detailed description of military readiness – harnessing horses, donning helmets, furbishing spears, and wearing armor (brigandines, a type of body armor) – underscores the immense effort Egypt would put into battle. Yet, the broader context of Jeremiah 46 reveals that all this preparation would be in vain. This theme powerfully illustrates that no amount of human might or strategic planning can thwart God's decreed judgment. This echoes sentiments found in Psalm 33:16-17, "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety."
  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The primary message of this chapter is God's absolute sovereignty over all nations. He uses instruments like Babylon to execute His righteous judgment, even upon powerful empires like Egypt. The vivid imagery of battle preparation serves to emphasize the scale of the judgment, not the success of the army.
  • Prophetic Irony: Jeremiah's forceful commands can be interpreted as a sarcastic or ironic challenge to the Egyptian army. "Go ahead, prepare yourselves fully," the prophet seems to say, "but it will make no difference; your defeat is assured." This prophetic device highlights the certainty of God's word.

Linguistic Insights

The term "brigandines" in the KJV refers to a piece of defensive armor. The Hebrew word is siryon (שִׁרְיֹון), which generally means a "coat of mail" or "breastplate." It signifies heavy body armor, typically made of overlapping plates or scales, designed to protect the torso in battle. The inclusion of this specific piece of equipment, alongside helmets and spears, paints a comprehensive picture of a heavily armed and prepared fighting force.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 46:4 serves as a timeless reminder that true security and victory do not come from human strength, military might, or meticulous planning alone. While preparation is often wise, ultimate reliance must be placed on God. For believers today, this verse encourages a focus on spiritual preparation and trust in divine providence, rather than placing undue confidence in worldly resources or strategies. It calls us to consider where our ultimate trust lies – in our own efforts and resources, or in the Lord, who alone grants safety and victory.

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.

  • Ezekiel 21:9

    Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:

  • Ezekiel 21:11

    And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.

  • Jeremiah 51:3

    Against [him that] bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against [him that] lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.

  • 1 Samuel 17:5

    And [he had] an helmet of brass upon his head, and he [was] armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat [was] five thousand shekels of brass.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:14

    And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings [to cast] stones.

  • 1 Samuel 17:38

    And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

  • Nehemiah 4:16

    ¶ And it came to pass from that time forth, [that] the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers [were] behind all the house of Judah.

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