Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Jeremiah 46:21

Next

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.

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}.

Her mercenaries too, that she had with her, were like well-fed calves in a stable; but they too have withdrawn in retreat, they all ran away without standing their ground.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.

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.

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

Jeremiah 46:21 is a vivid component of God's prophetic judgment against Egypt, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. This specific verse paints a picture of the mercenary soldiers, described as "hired men," who were part of Egypt's formidable army.

Context of Jeremiah 46:21

This verse is found within Jeremiah chapter 46, which primarily details a divine prophecy concerning the defeat of Egypt by the Babylonian forces under King Nebuchadnezzar. The historical backdrop for this prophecy is largely the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, a pivotal event where Pharaoh Necho II's Egyptian army was decisively routed. Egypt, a powerful nation, often relied on foreign mercenary soldiers to bolster its military might. These "hired men" were crucial to their defense, yet the prophecy declares their utter failure and flight in the face of God's appointed judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Futility of Human Strength and Alliances: The description of the "hired men" as "fatted bullocks" implies they were well-equipped, strong, and perhaps even pampered, yet they utterly failed to stand. This powerfully illustrates that reliance on human military might or foreign alliances is ultimately vain when God's judgment is at hand.
  • Inevitable Divine Judgment: The phrase "the day of their calamity was come upon them, and the time of their visitation" underscores the certainty and timeliness of God's judgment. There is an appointed time for divine reckoning, which no human strength can resist or evade.
  • Cowardice and Flight: Despite their initial appearance of strength, these mercenaries are depicted as turning back and fleeing, unable to stand against the coming destruction. Their flight highlights the panic and disarray that would seize Egypt's forces.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of "fatted bullocks" (Hebrew: מַרְבֵּקִים - marbēqîm) is striking. It suggests these mercenaries were well-fed, strong, and perhaps prepared for a purpose, much like cattle prepared for slaughter. This metaphor emphasizes their initial robust appearance contrasting sharply with their ultimate helplessness and swift demise. The term "visitation" (Hebrew: פָּקַד - pāqad) here carries the connotation of a divine reckoning or punishment. While pāqad can also mean to visit in a positive sense, in contexts of judgment, it signifies God's intervention to bring about consequences for sin, as seen in Isaiah 10:3.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 46:21 serves as a timeless reminder that true security and strength come not from human power, wealth, or strategic alliances, but from God alone. Just as Egypt's reliance on its "hired men" proved futile, so too can our trust in worldly resources or our own abilities lead to disappointment and defeat. The verse encourages us to place our faith in the sovereign God, whose plans cannot be thwarted (Proverbs 21:30). It also highlights that there is a "day of calamity" or "visitation" for all who oppose God, urging us to seek Him and live in accordance with His will.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 7:6 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Obadiah 1:13 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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.