Bible Strands
Jeremiah 50:42
They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet delivers this oracle to the exiled community, describing a northern coalition mobilizing for siege. The declaration addresses the nation personified as "Daughter of Babylon" at the moment of impending military judgment.
The words — The Hebrew קֶשֶׁת (keshet) denotes a bow, paired with כִּידוֹן (kidon), a javelin, while יַחֲזִיקוּ (yachaziku) means they will take hold of. אַכְזָרִי (akzari) translates to cruel, directly modifying the army's conduct as stated in the text.
The thread — The imagery of a roaring voice like the sea echoes Isaiah 5:30, while the theme of unrelenting force parallels the Medes' disregard for wealth in Isaiah 13:17 and the refusal to show mercy in Isaiah 47:6.
Why it lands — The passage demands recognition that divine judgment operates through historically concrete military force. It requires the reader to accept that political and martial power will execute the stated decree without hesitation.
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
King James Version
They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 5:30 In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds.
- Isaiah 13:17 Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold.
- Isaiah 47:6 I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.
- Jeremiah 8:16 The snorting of enemy horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of mighty steeds, the whole land quakes. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it.
- Jeremiah 47:3 at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels. The fathers will not turn back for their sons; their hands will hang limp.
- Psalms 46:2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,
- Psalms 46:6 Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.
- Psalms 74:20 Consider Your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
- Psalms 137:8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.
- Isaiah 5:28 Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind.