Jeremiah 46:21

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

And those who were her fighters for payment are like fat oxen; for they are turned back, they have gone in flight together, they do not keep their place: for the day of their fate has come on them, the time of their punishment.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Her hirelings also that lived in the midst of her, like fatted calves are turned back, and are fled away together, and they could not stand, for the day of their slaughter is come upon them, the time of their visitation.

Free Bible Version

The soldiers that Egypt hired are like calves made fat for slaughter. They will also retreat. They won't stand and fight—they will all run away. Their day of destruction is coming; the time when they'll be punished.

Geneva Bible 1599

Also her hired men are in the middes of her like fat calues: they are also turned backe and fled away together: they could not stand, because the day of their destruction was come vpon them, and the time of their visitation.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

The ◄mercenaries/soldiers from other countries who have been hired► will become like [SIM] fat calves; but they also will turn around and run away; they will not stand there and fight, because it will be a day when there will be a great disaster in Egypt, a day when their people will be greatly punished.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The hired soldiers in her midst are like a fattened bull, but they will also turn away and run away. They will not stand together, for the day of their disaster is coming against them, the time of their punishment.

Noah Webster Bible

Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also have turned back, and have fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity had come upon them, and the time of their visitation.

World English Bible

Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall, for they also are turned back. They have fled away together. They didn’t stand, for the day of their calamity has come on them, the time of their visitation.

Young's Literal Translation

Even her hired ones in her midst [are] as calves of the stall, For even they have turned, They have fled together, they have not stood, For the day of their calamity hath come on them, The time of their inspection.

Context

Judgment on Egypt

²⁰Egypt is a beautiful heifer, but a gadfly from the north is coming against her. ²¹Even 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.

Summary

In this verse, Jeremiah prophesies about the defeat of Egypt by the Babylonians, symbolized by the rise of Pharaoh's allies turning against him. The once mighty Egyptian army will be defeated, and its soldiers will retreat in fear, unable to stand against the impending judgment. This passage serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring down the proud and powerful when they oppose His will. It also underscores the consequences of relying on human strength and alliances rather than trusting in the Lord for protection and deliverance.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Translate, "Also her hired men (mercenary soldiers, Jer 46:9, Jer 46:16), who are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks, even they also are turned back," that is, shall turn their backs to flee. The same image, "heifer . . . bullocks" (Jer 46:20-21), is applied to Egypt's foreign mercenaries, as to herself. Pampered with the luxuries of Egypt, they become as enervated for battle as the natives themselves.