Jeremiah 49:35

This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will shatter Elam’s bow, the mainstay of their might.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The LORD of Hosts speaks through the prophet Jeremiah concerning the nation of Elam at the beginning of King Zedekiah’s reign in Judah.

The words — The verse hinges on שֹׁבֵר (sho.Ver), meaning “[am] about to break,” and קֶשֶׁת (ke.shet), meaning “bow,” which together denote the imminent destruction of Elam’s military strength.

The thread — The motif of divine bow-breaking appears in Isaiah 22:6, which notes Elam arming itself, and Psalm 46:9, which describes God breaking bows and shattering spears. Jeremiah 51:56 later applies the same imagery to the fall of Babylon.

Why it lands — The text declares God’s sovereign judgment on Elam’s military power, requiring the reader to acknowledge that human strength cannot withstand divine decree.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

כֹּ֤הkohthus אָמַר֙'a.Marhe says יְהוָ֣הYah.wehYahweh צְבָא֔וֹתtze.va.'otof hosts הִנְנִ֥יhi./Nihere/ I שֹׁבֵ֖רsho.Ver[am] about to break אֶת־'et-<obj.>קֶ֣שֶׁתKe.shet[the] bow of עֵילָ֑ם'ei.LamElam רֵאשִׁ֖יתre.Shit[the] beginning of גְּבוּרָתָֽם׃ge.vu.ra.Ta/mstrength/ their

King James Version

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.

Cross-references

Isaiah 22:6 Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield.
Psalms 46:9 He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.
Jeremiah 51:56 For a destroyer is coming against her—against Babylon. Her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken, for the LORD is a God of retribution; He will repay in full.
Jeremiah 50:14 Line up in formation around Babylon, all you who draw the bow! Shoot at her! Spare no arrows! For she has sinned against the LORD.
Jeremiah 50:29 Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.