TRV
Translation
King James Version
Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
Complete Jewish Bible
Harness the horses! Riders, mount! [Troops,] fall in! Helmets in place! Polish the spears! Coats of mail on!
Berean Standard Bible
Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor!
American Standard Version
Harness the horses, and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail.
World English Bible Messianic
Harness the horses, and get up, you horsemen, and stand up with your helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Make readie the horses, and let the horsemen get vp, and stande vp with your sallets, fourbish the speares, and put on the brigandines.
Young's Literal Translation
Gird the horses, and go up, ye horsemen, And station yourselves with helmets, Polish the javelins, put on the coats of mail.
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In the KJVVerse 20,050 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jeremiah 46 verses 1–12
1 ¶ The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
2 Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.
3 Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
4 Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
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.
6 Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.
7 Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.
9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.
12 ¶ The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together.
The first verse is the title of that part of this book, which relates to the neighbouring nations, and follows here. It is the word of the Lord which came to Jeremiah against the Gentiles; for God is King and Judge of nations, knows and will call to an account those who know him not nor take any notice of him. Both Isaiah and Ezekiel prophesied against these nations that Jeremiah here has a separate saying to, and with reference to the same events. In the Old Testament we have the word of the Lord against the Gentiles; in the New Testament we have the word of the Lord for the Gentiles, that those who were afar off are made nigh.
He begins with Egypt, because they were of old Israel's oppressors and of late their deceivers, when they put confidence in them. In these verses he foretells the overthrow of the army of Pharaoh-necho, by Nebuchadnezzar, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, which was so complete a victory to the king of Babylon that thereby he recovered from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates, all that pertained to the king of Egypt, and so weakened him that he came not again any more out of his land (as we find, Kg2 24:7), and so made him pay dearly for his expedition against the king of Assyria four years before, in which he slew Josiah, Kg2 23:29. This is the event that is here foretold in lofty expressions of triumph over Egypt thus foiled, which Jeremiah would speak of with a particular pleasure, because the death of Josiah, which he had lamented, was now avenged on Pharaoh-necho. Now here,
I. The Egyptians are upbraided with the mighty preparations they made for this expedition, in which the prophet calls to them to do their utmost, for so they would: "Come then, order the buckler, let the weapons of war be got ready," Jer 46:3. Egypt was famous for horses - let them be harnessed and the cavalry well mounted: Get up, you horsemen, and stand forth, etc., Jer 46:4. See what preparations the children of men make, with abundance of care and trouble and at a vast expense, to kill one another, as if they did not die fast enough of themselves. He compares their marching out upon this expedition to the rising of their river Nile (Jer 46:7, Jer 46:8): Egypt now rises up like a flood, scorning to keep within its own banks and threatening to overflow all the neighbouring lands. It is a very formidable army that the Egyptians bring into the field upon this occasion. The prophet summons them (Jer 46:9): Come up, you horses; rage, you chariots. He challenges them to bring all their confederate troops together, the Ethiopians, that descended from the same stock with the Egyptians (Gen 10:6), and were their neighbours and allies, the Libyans and Lydians, both seated in Africa, to the west of Egypt, and from them the Egyptians fetched their auxiliary forces. Let them strengthen themselves with all the art and interest they have, yet it shall be all in vain; they shall be shamefully defeated notwithstanding, for God will fight against them, and against him there is no wisdom nor counsel, Pro 21:30, Pro 21:31. It concerns those that go forth to war not only to order the buckler, and harness the horses, but to repent of their sins, and pray to God for his presence with them, and that they may have it to keep themselves from every wicked thing.
II. They are upbraided with the great expectations they had from this expedition, which were quite contrary to what God intended in bringing them together. They knew their own thoughts, and God knew them, and sat in heaven and laughed at them,; but they knew not the thoughts of the Lord, for he gathers them as sheaves into the floor, Mic 4:11, Mic 4:12. Egypt saith (Jer 46:8): I will go up; I will cover the earth, and none shall hinder me; I will destroy the city, whatever city it is that stands in my way. Like Pharaoh of old, I will pursue, I will overtake. The Egyptians say that they shall have a day of it, but God saith that it shall be his day: The is the day of the Lord God of hosts (Jer 46:10), the day in which he will be exalted in the overthrow of the Egyptians. They meant one thing, but God meant another; they designed it for the advancement of their dignity and the enlargement of their dominion, but God designed it for the great abasement and weakening of their kingdom. It is a day of vengeance for Josiah's death; it is a day of sacrifice to divine justice, to which multitudes of the sinners of Egypt shall fall as victims. Note, When men think to magnify themselves by pushing on unrighteous enterprises, let them expect that God will glorify himself by blasting them and cutting them off.
III. They are upbraided with their cowardice and inglorious flight when they come to an engagement (Jer 46:5, Jer 46:6): "Wherefore have I seen them, notwithstanding all these mighty and vast preparations and all these expressions of bravery and resolution, when the Chaldean army faces them, dismayed, turned back, quite disheartened, and no spirit left in them." 1. They make a shameful retreat. Even their mighty ones, who, one would think, should have stood their ground, flee a flight, flee by consent, make the best of their way, flee in confusion and with the utmost precipitation; they have neither time nor heart to look back, but fear is round about them, for they apprehend it so. And yet, 2. They cannot make their escape. They have the shame of flying, and yet not the satisfaction of saving themselves by flight; they might as well have stood their ground and died upon the spot; for even the swift shall not flee away. The lightness of their heels shall fail them when it comes to the trial, as well as the stoutness of their hearts; the mighty shall not escape, nay, they are beaten down and broken to pieces. They shall stumble in their flight, and fall towards the north, towards their enemy's country; for such confusion were they in when they took to their feet that instead of making homeward, as men usually do in that case, they made forward. Note, The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Valiant men are not always victorious.
IV. They are upbraided with their utter inability ever to recover this blow, which should be fatal to their nation, Jer 46:11, Jer 46:12. The damsel, the daughter of Egypt, that lived in great pomp and state, is sorely wounded by this defeat. Let her now seek for balm in Gilead and physicians there; let her use all the medicines her wise men can prescribe for the healing of this hurt, and the repairing of the loss sustained by this defeat; but all in vain; no cure shall be to them; they shall never be able to bring such a powerful army as this into the field again. "The nations that rang of thy glory and strength have now heard of thy shame, how shamefully thou wast routed and how thou are weakened by it." It needs not be spread by the triumphs of the conquerors, the shrieks and outcries of the conquered will proclaim it: Thy cry hath filled the country about. For, when they fled several ways, one mighty man stumbled upon another and dashed against another, such confusion were they in, so that both together became a pray to the pursuers, an easy prey. A thousand such dreadful accidents there should be, which should fill the country with the cry of those that were overcome. Let not the mighty man therefore glory in his might, for the time may come when it will stand him in no stead.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–12. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 46:4 presents a vivid and urgent command, part of a prophetic oracle detailing the impending defeat of Egypt. The verse meticulously describes the frenetic and thorough preparations 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 precise portrayal of military readiness, however, serves as a stark and ironic prelude to the dramatic reversal and divine judgment that God will bring upon this formidable nation, powerfully highlighting the ultimate futility of human strength when it opposes His sovereign will.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Jeremiah 46:4 is intricately woven into a broader collection of oracles against foreign nations, with a specific focus on Egypt, commencing in Jeremiah 46:1. The verses immediately preceding this command (Jeremiah 46:2-3) establish the setting for a monumental conflict, explicitly identifying it as the Battle of Carchemish. Following this detailed call to arms, the subsequent verses (Jeremiah 46:5-6) abruptly pivot to describe the utter rout and chaotic flight of this meticulously prepared army. This immediate juxtaposition underscores the profound prophetic irony inherent in the command to prepare. The detailed military instructions in Jeremiah 46:4 thus function as a dramatic setup, intensifying the impact of the subsequent declaration of Egypt's swift and inevitable downfall, demonstrating that even the most formidable human efforts are powerless against divine decree.
Historical & Cultural Context: This prophecy is specifically aimed at Egypt in the critical period surrounding the Battle of Carchemish (circa 605 BC). During this era, Egypt, under the leadership of Pharaoh Necho II, was a dominant regional power, widely recognized for its formidable military prowess, particularly its elite chariot divisions and cavalry. The confrontation at Carchemish was a pivotal clash between the burgeoning Babylonian Empire and the established Egyptian power, vying for control over the strategically vital Levant. Jeremiah's oracle, delivered either prior to or immediately following this decisive event, serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty over nations and their destinies. The detailed commands for military preparation in Jeremiah 46:4 accurately reflect the actual practices and equipment of ancient Near Eastern warfare, where cavalry and heavily armored infantry were crucial components. However, the prophet's message is imbued with a deep sense of prophetic irony, highlighting the ultimate futility of even the most extensive human military efforts when they stand in opposition to God's unchangeable decree.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes present within Jeremiah 46 and the broader prophetic book. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the Futility of Human Strength when pitted against divine will. The elaborate military preparations described in Jeremiah 46:4 are immediately followed by a vivid depiction of chaotic retreat, demonstrating unequivocally that no amount of human might, strategic planning, or technological advantage can thwart God's decreed judgment. This resonates deeply with the timeless biblical truth articulated in Psalm 33:16, which states, "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength." Secondly, the passage powerfully underscores Divine Judgment and Sovereignty. God is depicted as actively using the Babylonians as His instrument to execute righteous judgment, even upon powerful empires like Egypt, thereby asserting His absolute control over the rise and fall of nations, a theme echoed throughout prophetic literature (Daniel 2:21). Finally, the imperative tone of the verse, succeeded by the swift reversal of fortune, masterfully employs Prophetic Irony. Jeremiah's commands can be understood as a sarcastic challenge, a divine taunt that emphasizes the unwavering certainty of God's word: "Go ahead, prepare yourselves fully," the prophet seems to declare, "but it will make no difference; your defeat is assured, for it is I, the Lord of Hosts, who has spoken."
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 46:4 makes potent use of several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the Imperative Mood, evident in the rapid succession of direct commands ("Harness," "get up," "stand forth," "furbish," "put on"). This creates an overwhelming sense of urgency, intensity, and direct address, drawing the reader into the frenetic and detailed activity of military preparation. Vivid Imagery is also central to the verse, painting a detailed and sensory picture of soldiers equipping themselves for battle—horses being harnessed, horsemen mounting, helmets being donned, spears sharpened, and armor fastened. This rich sensory detail allows the audience to visualize the scene with remarkable clarity, making the subsequent prophetic declaration of Egypt's defeat even more striking and impactful. Finally, the verse employs profound Prophetic Irony. While presented as genuine commands for preparation, the broader context of Jeremiah 46 unequivocally reveals that these elaborate and strenuous efforts will ultimately be futile. The prophet's forceful instructions serve to highlight the stark contrast between human presumption and divine decree, underscoring the absolute certainty of God's judgment despite all human attempts to resist or thwart it.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 46:4 functions as a powerful theological statement on the inherent limits of human power and the absolute, unchallengeable sovereignty of God. The meticulous and extensive military preparations described in the verse highlight humanity's natural inclination to rely on its own strength, strategic ingenuity, and material resources in times of conflict and crisis. However, the overarching prophetic context of Jeremiah 46 reveals that all this human effort is ultimately rendered futile and vain when it stands in direct opposition to God's divine will. God, in His supreme and sovereign control, orchestrates the rise and fall of nations, using even powerful empires like Babylon as instruments of His righteous judgment. This verse profoundly underscores that true security, lasting victory, and ultimate deliverance are not found in the might of armies, the sharpness of spears, or the strength of human fortifications, but solely and exclusively in the Lord, who alone determines the outcome of battles, the destinies of peoples, and the course of history. It stands as a profound declaration that no earthly force, however formidable, can thwart the eternal purposes of the Almighty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 46:4, though vividly detailing an ancient military preparation, offers profound and enduring contemporary relevance for believers across all generations. It compels us to critically examine where our ultimate trust, security, and confidence truly lie. In a world that frequently prioritizes human ingenuity, strategic planning, technological advancement, and material resources as the primary means to achieve success and overcome challenges, this verse serves as a stark and necessary reminder that true victory, lasting peace, and genuine security do not originate from these alone. While diligence, careful planning, and preparation are often wise and necessary disciplines in life, our ultimate confidence and unwavering hope must always rest in God's sovereign power and providential care. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of profound humility and absolute dependence, recognizing that even our most meticulously planned and executed efforts are ultimately subject to God's overarching and infallible plan. It calls us to a posture of spiritual readiness, diligently equipping ourselves with faith, obedience, and the spiritual armor of God, rather than placing undue or misplaced confidence in worldly might, self-sufficiency, or human prowess. For the Christian, this means trusting implicitly in God's strength to navigate life's inevitable battles, knowing with certainty that He is the ultimate source of safety, triumph, and eternal security, and that His divine purposes will always, without fail, prevail.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Jeremiah command them to prepare if they are destined to lose?
Answer: Jeremiah's commands in Jeremiah 46:4 are not genuine instructions for successful battle but rather a powerful form of prophetic irony or sarcasm. The prophet is not truly urging Egypt to prepare for victory; instead, he is highlighting the sheer scale of their efforts, the meticulousness of their military readiness, and the formidable nature of their army, only to immediately contrast it with their inevitable, humiliating, and divinely ordained defeat. This literary device serves to underscore the absolute certainty and unchangeable nature of God's judgment. It emphasizes that no matter how mighty, well-equipped, or strategically prepared a nation or army may be, it cannot stand against the sovereign will and decree of the Lord Almighty. The detailed description of their preparations in Jeremiah 46:4 makes their subsequent chaotic rout, as vividly described in Jeremiah 46:5-6, even more dramatic and impactful, thereby magnifying the irresistible power of God's decree over all human might.
How does this verse relate to God's sovereignty over nations?
Answer: This verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over nations by demonstrating that even the most formidable military power of the ancient world, like Egypt, is ultimately subject to His divine plan and purposes. Despite their extensive and meticulous preparations—harnessing horses, donning helmets, furbishing spears, and wearing heavy armor—their efforts are prophetically declared futile by Jeremiah. The subsequent verses in Jeremiah 46 explicitly state that God Himself is bringing about their downfall, using Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians as His chosen instruments of judgment. This clearly shows that God actively uses nations as instruments of His judgment and that He alone determines the rise and fall of empires, fulfilling His divine purposes regardless of human strength, strategic planning, or military might. It powerfully reinforces the timeless biblical truth that "the Most High rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom he will" (Daniel 4:17).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 46:4 vividly portrays the futility of human strength and military might in the face of divine judgment, it finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark and glorious contrast between worldly power and the redemptive, transformative power of the cross. The elaborate preparations of the Egyptian army, meticulously designed for earthly victory and self-preservation, foreshadow the world's persistent attempts to secure peace, salvation, and security through purely human means—whether through military might, political prowess, intellectual achievement, or self-righteous moralism. Yet, just as Egypt's formidable preparations were ultimately in vain against God's decree, so too are all human efforts to earn salvation, conquer sin, or achieve true righteousness apart from Christ. The true "harnessing" and "arming" for spiritual victory are found not in physical weapons or earthly armor, but in the spiritual armor graciously provided by God through Christ (Ephesians 6:10-18). Christ Himself did not come as a conquering warrior armed with spears and brigandines, leading an earthly army, but as the Lamb of God, whose ultimate and decisive victory was achieved not through force, but through humble, self-sacrificial love on the cross, thereby disarming the powers of sin, death, and spiritual principalities (Colossians 2:15). He is the true King who conquers not by the multitude of an host, but by His suffering love, offering salvation and true, eternal security to all who trust in Him, demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Thus, the futility of Egypt's military might, so vividly depicted in Jeremiah, ultimately points to the glorious sufficiency and triumph of Christ's finished work, where true and lasting victory is found in humble surrender to His sovereignty, not in the fleeting strength of human endeavor.