Jeremiah 46:22
Jeremiah 46:22 in Multiple Translations
Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees.
The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
The sound thereof shall go like the serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
She makes a sound like the hiss of a snake when they come on with strength; they go against her with axes, like wood-cutters.
The Egyptians will retreat with a rustle like a snake sliding away, because the enemy will attack them with axes, coming at them like wood-cutters chopping down trees.
The voyce thereof shall goe foorth like a serpent: for they shall march with an armie, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
Its voice as a serpent goeth on, For with a force they go, And with axes they have come in to her, As hewers of trees.
Its sound will go like the serpent, for they will march with an army, and come against her with axes, as wood cutters.
The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
Her voice shall sound like brass, for they shall hasten with an army, and with axes they shall come against her, as hewers of wood.
The soldiers of Egypt will run away, as silently as a snake scurries/crawls away. The army of the enemy will advance; they will march along carrying their axes like [SIM] men who cut down trees.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 46:22
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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Jeremiah 46:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קוֹלָ֖/הּ
כַּ/נָּחָ֣שׁ
יֵלֵ֑ךְ
כִּֽי
בְ/חַ֣יִל
יֵלֵ֔כוּ
וּ/בְ/קַרְדֻּמּוֹת֙
בָּ֣אוּ
לָ֔/הּ
כְּ/חֹטְבֵ֖י
עֵצִֽים
קוֹלָ֖/הּ
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms | Suff
כַּ/נָּחָ֣שׁ
nâchâsh
H5175
serpent
Prep | N-ms
יֵלֵ֑ךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
בְ/חַ֣יִל
chayil
H2428
Helech
Prep | N-ms
יֵלֵ֔כוּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
וּ/בְ/קַרְדֻּמּוֹת֙
qardôm
H7134
axe
Conj | Prep | N-cp
בָּ֣אוּ
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לָ֔/הּ
Prep | Suff
כְּ/חֹטְבֵ֖י
châṭab
H2404
to chop
Prep | V-Qal
עֵצִֽים
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 46:22
קוֹלָ֖/הּ
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms | Suff
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
כַּ/נָּחָ֣שׁ
nâchâsh
H5175
"serpent"
Prep | N-ms
A serpent is a snake, often symbolizing evil, as in Genesis 3:1 where the serpent tempts Eve. It can also represent danger or harm.
Definition: 1) serpent, snake 1a) serpent 1b) image (of serpent) 1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: serpent. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 58:5; Psalms 140:4.
יֵלֵ֑ךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
בְ/חַ֣יִל
chayil
H2428
"Helech"
Prep | N-ms
This word represents strength, might, or power, whether physical, financial, or military. In the Bible, it's used to describe the strength of God or the wealth of a nation, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
Definition: § Helech = "your army" a place near Arvad and Gammad
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). See also: Genesis 34:29; 2 Chronicles 13:3; Psalms 18:33.
יֵלֵ֔כוּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
וּ/בְ/קַרְדֻּמּוֹת֙
qardôm
H7134
"axe"
Conj | Prep | N-cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means an axe, a tool used for chopping. It is mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy. The word is used to describe a common object.
Definition: axe
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: ax. See also: Judges 9:48; 1 Samuel 13:21; Psalms 74:5.
בָּ֣אוּ
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
לָ֔/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
כְּ/חֹטְבֵ֖י
châṭab
H2404
"to chop"
Prep | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to chop or carve wood, like a carpenter shaping a tree. It appears in the Bible as cutting down trees or polishing wood. In the book of Isaiah, it describes preparing wood for a fire.
Definition: 1) to cut, gather 1a) (Qal) to cut, gather (wood) 1b) (Pual) to cut, carve
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: cut down, hew(-er), polish. See also: Deuteronomy 19:5; Joshua 9:27; Psalms 144:12.
עֵצִֽים
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-mp
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 46:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 46:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 46:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 46:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 46:22
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 46:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
- Sermons on Jeremiah 46:22
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.
22Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees.
23They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted. 24The Daughter of Egypt will be put to shame; she will be delivered into the hands of the people of the north.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 14:8 | Even the cypresses and cedars of Lebanon exult over you: “Since you have been laid low, no woodcutter comes against us.” |
| 2 | Isaiah 29:4 | You will be brought low, you will speak from the ground, and out of the dust your words will be muffled. Your voice will be like a spirit from the ground; your speech will whisper out of the dust. |
| 3 | Micah 1:8 | Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich. |
| 4 | Zechariah 11:2 | Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees are ruined! Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the dense forest has been cut down! |
| 5 | Isaiah 37:24 | Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests. |
| 6 | Isaiah 10:33–34 | Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 51:20–23 | “You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden. With you I shatter the shepherd and his flock; with you I shatter the farmer and his oxen; with you I shatter the governors and officials. |
| 8 | Micah 7:16 | Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their might. They will put their hands over their mouths, and their ears will become deaf. |
| 9 | Isaiah 10:15 | Does an axe raise itself above the one who swings it? Does a saw boast over him who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting him who is not wood! |
Jeremiah 46:22 Summary
Jeremiah 46:22 says that Egypt will be like a snake that is hissing and trying to get away, because a strong enemy is coming to attack it. This enemy will be like woodsmen who cut down trees with axes, showing the powerful and destructive nature of the judgment. This verse is a reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and can bring judgment on any people or nation that rejects Him, as seen in other biblical passages like Romans 11:22 and Revelation 20:12. We can trust in God's power and love, even when faced with difficult circumstances, and remember that He is always working to bring about justice and righteousness, as seen in Psalm 37:28 and Isaiah 61:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the image of Egypt hissing like a fleeing serpent mean in Jeremiah 46:22?
This image suggests that Egypt will be frightened and attempt to escape the coming judgment, much like a snake hisses when it feels threatened, as seen in other biblical descriptions of fear and judgment, such as Exodus 1:14 and Deuteronomy 28:49-50.
Who is the enemy that will advance against Egypt in Jeremiah 46:22?
The enemy is not explicitly named in this verse, but based on the context of Jeremiah 46, it is likely referring to the Babylonian army, which was a powerful force in the ancient Near East, as described in Jeremiah 1:14 and Ezekiel 29:18-20.
What is the significance of the axes and woodsmen in Jeremiah 46:22?
The axes and woodsmen represent the destructive power of the enemy, who will cut down Egypt's strength and resources, much like woodsmen cut down trees, as seen in other biblical descriptions of judgment, such as Isaiah 10:33-34 and Jeremiah 22:7.
How does this verse relate to the larger context of Jeremiah 46?
Jeremiah 46:22 is part of a larger oracle against Egypt, which describes the coming judgment and destruction of the nation, as seen in Jeremiah 46:20-24, and is consistent with other biblical prophecies against Egypt, such as Ezekiel 29-32 and Isaiah 19.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can apply the image of the fleeing serpent to my own life, in terms of responding to fear and judgment?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and power, even when faced with powerful enemies or overwhelming circumstances, as seen in Jeremiah 46:22 and other biblical accounts?
- What are some 'trees' in my life that need to be cut down, in terms of sinful patterns or strongholds, and how can I cooperate with God's work in my life to remove them?
- How can I balance a healthy fear of God's judgment with a deep trust in His love and mercy, as seen in Jeremiah 46:22 and other biblical passages?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 46:22
The voice thereof shall go like a serpent,.... That is, the voice of Egypt, before compared to a heifer, when in its glory; but now it shall not bellow like a heifer in fat pasture, bat hiss like a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 46:22
The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
Egypt is now like a heifer that makes a great bellowing, but the time shall come when she shall make a lesser noise, like the hissing of a serpent when it seeth itself set upon. For the Chaldeans shall come with a great army, armed with battle-axes, as if they came to fell down some wood in a forest or wood.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
Jeremiah 46:22 The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood. Ver. 22. The voice thereof (of Egypt) shall go like a serpent.] Submissa voce loquetur. She shall hiss and whisper, as being daunted and damped, scarce able to mutter or utter aught for fear. Vox trepida et prae metu instar serpentum stridula.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
(22) The voice thereof shall go like a serpent.—Better, her voice—i.e., the voice of Egypt. In early prophecies Egypt had been compared to a “dragon” or “serpent” (Isaiah 27:1; Isaiah 51:9; Psalms 74:13). Here the serpent is represented as hissing in its rage and terror in the forest against which the enemies are advancing. The sign then gives way to the thing signified, and the latter clause of the verse brings before us the hosts of the Chaldæan allies, barbarous tribes like the Scythians, Massagetæ, and Sacæ, armed with axes instead of swords or spears (Herod. i. 275, iv. 5). They come, but it is to cut down the trees of the forest, i.e., the symbols of the power of Egypt, and there is no power to resist them (Isaiah 10:33). The forest is so dense that the trees cannot be counted, but the fellers of the trees are as numerous, and the forest is destined to destruction at the hands of “the people of the north.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
Verse 22. The voice - shall go like a serpent] See Isaiah 29:4, and the note there.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 46:22
22. The sound thereof shall go like the serpent] better, as mg. Her sound is like that of the serpent as it goeth. The voice of Egypt in her feebleness as she flees away from the enemy shall be like the voice of a serpent hissing, i.e. like a serpent hissing impotently at the woodcutters who disturb its retreat through the thick underwood. For “as it goeth” the LXX (but probably through an early confusion between two Greek words on the part of a scribe) read “hissing.” The serpent formed an important feature in the religion of the Egyptians, who worshipped Kneph under this form. The hostile army is likened in these. vv. to a host of persons clearing away a forest for firewood. The denseness of the forest represents the number and populous character of the cities of Egypt. Dr. compares Isaiah 10:18 f., 33 f. with axes] This would make a deep impression upon the mind of nations like the Jews, who had no such custom. “The battle-axe was a weapon but rarely employed by the Assyrians. It is only in the very latest sculptures, and in a very few instances, that we find axes represented as used by the warriors for any other purpose besides the felling of trees. Where they are seen in use against the enemy, the handle is short, the head somewhat large, and the weapon wielded with one hand.” Rawlinson, Anc.
Mon. I. 459. hewers] or, less well, gatherers of firewood.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 46:22
The voice thereof - Her voice, i. e., the voice of Egypt. The word here probably means the busy sound of life and activity in the towns of Egypt, the tramping of her hosts, and the turmoil of camp and city.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:22
22. Voice thereof — Of Egypt. As the serpent disturbed in his lair by the wood choppers flees away, so Egypt shall flee before the axes of the Chaldean army.
Sermons on Jeremiah 46:22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Shall the Dust Praise Thee? by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that many people in the body of Christ have misplaced focus and pursuit. They fail to live for the glory of God and do not understand the va |
|
The Ostrich by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook delivers a sermon on the unique characteristics of the ostrich, highlighting its large size, inability to fly despite having large wings, and its swift running abil |
|
Living That Grieves the Spirit by A.W. Tozer | James urges believers to experience deep sorrow and wretchedness over their sins, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and inner penitence rather than external ascetic pract |
|
(Through the Bible) Isaiah 11-15 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various biblical passages and themes. He emphasizes the power and authority of God, who has the ability to destroy cities and open prison doo |
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(Saved Through the Fire) 13 - God's True Message by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of the day of the Lord, where God will judge and punish all nations based on their actions. He warns that whatever one gives out |
|
God's Agency in War by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes God's sovereignty and agency in the affairs of nations, particularly in times of war and judgment. He argues that just as God punished nations in the Old Testa |