Jeremiah 46:4
Jeremiah 46:4 in Multiple Translations
Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor!
Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
Harness the horses, and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, put on the coats of mail.
Make the horses ready, and get up, you horsemen, and take your places with your head-dresses; make the spears sharp and put on the breastplates.
Put the harnesses on the horses and get into your chariots; take your positions with your helmets on! Sharpen your spears; put on your armor!
Make readie the horses, and let the horsemen get vp, and stande vp with your sallets, fourbish the speares, and put on the brigandines.
Gird the horses, and go up, ye horsemen, And station yourselves with helmets, Polish the javelins, put on the coats of mail.
Harness the horses, and get up, you horsemen, and stand up with your helmets. Polish the spears, put on the coats of mail.
Harness the horses; and mount, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the coats of mail.
Harness the horses, and get up, ye horsemen: stand forth with helmets, furbish the spears, put on coats of mail.
Put harnesses on your horses, and get on their backs. ◄Get into your positions/Line up► for the battle; put on your helmets. Sharpen your spears, and put on your armor!’
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 46:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 46:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִסְר֣וּ
הַ/סּוּסִ֗ים
וַֽ/עֲלוּ֙
הַ/פָּ֣רָשִׁ֔ים
וְ/הִֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ
בְּ/כ֥וֹבָעִ֑ים
מִרְקוּ֙
הָֽ/רְמָחִ֔ים
לִבְשׁ֖וּ
הַ/סִּרְיֹנֹֽת
אִסְר֣וּ
ʼâçar
H631
to bind
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
הַ/סּוּסִ֗ים
çûwç
H5483
swallow
Art | N-mp
וַֽ/עֲלוּ֙
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
הַ/פָּ֣רָשִׁ֔ים
pârâsh
H6571
horse
Art | N-mp
וְ/הִֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ
yâtsab
H3320
to stand
Conj | V-Hithpael-Impv-2mp
בְּ/כ֥וֹבָעִ֑ים
kôwbaʻ
H3553
helmet
Prep | N-mp
מִרְקוּ֙
mâraq
H4838
to polish
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
הָֽ/רְמָחִ֔ים
rômach
H7420
spear
Art | N-mp
לִבְשׁ֖וּ
lâbash
H3847
to clothe
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
הַ/סִּרְיֹנֹֽת
çiryôn
H5630
armor
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 46:4
אִסְר֣וּ
ʼâçar
H631
"to bind"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This word means to bind or tie something, like when God made a covenant with the Israelites. It can also mean to prepare for battle or to be imprisoned. In different contexts, it involves joining or fastening things together, whether physically or metaphorically.
Definition: 1) to tie, bind, imprison 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tie, bind 1a2) to tie, harness 1a3) to bind (with cords) 1a4) to gird (rare and late) 1a5) to begin the battle, make the attack 1a6) of obligation of oath (figurative) 1b) (Niphal) to be imprisoned, bound 1c) (Pual) to be taken prisoner
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: bind, fast, gird, harness, hold, keep, make ready, order, prepare, prison(-er), put in bonds, set in array, tie. See also: Genesis 39:20; 1 Samuel 6:7; Psalms 105:22.
הַ/סּוּסִ֗ים
çûwç
H5483
"swallow"
Art | N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Definition: swallow, swift
Usage: Occurs in 130 OT verses. KJV: crane, horse (-back, -hoof). Compare H6571 (פָּרָשׁ). See also: Genesis 47:17; Psalms 76:7; Psalms 20:8.
וַֽ/עֲלוּ֙
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
הַ/פָּ֣רָשִׁ֔ים
pârâsh
H6571
"horse"
Art | N-mp
This word means a horseman or a cavalry soldier, like those who rode chariots in battle. In the Bible, it describes the riders of horses and chariots, like in Exodus 14:9 where the Egyptian horsemen pursued the Israelites.
Definition: horse, steed, warhorse
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: horseman. See also: Genesis 50:9; 2 Chronicles 8:6; Isaiah 21:7.
וְ/הִֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ
yâtsab
H3320
"to stand"
Conj | V-Hithpael-Impv-2mp
To stand or place something firmly is what this word means, and it's used in the Bible to describe presenting oneself or standing firm in faith, as seen in the book of Psalms.
Definition: 1) to place, set, stand, set or station oneself, present oneself 1a) (Hithpael) to station oneself, take one's stand, stand, present oneself, stand with someone Aramaic equivalent: ye.tsav (יְצַב "to know" H3321)
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up). See also: Exodus 2:4; 1 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 2:2.
בְּ/כ֥וֹבָעִ֑ים
kôwbaʻ
H3553
"helmet"
Prep | N-mp
A helmet is a protective head covering, often arched in shape. It is compared to another word for helmet in the Bible. The KJV translates it as helmet.
Definition: helmet
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: helmet. Compare H6959 (קוֹבַע). See also: 1 Samuel 17:5; Jeremiah 46:4; Isaiah 59:17.
מִרְקוּ֙
mâraq
H4838
"to polish"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To polish something means to make it shine or smooth, and this Hebrew word describes the act of polishing or sharpening an object. It can also imply rinsing or scouring something clean. The KJV translates it as bright, furbish, or scour.
Definition: 1) to scour, polish 1a) (Qal) to scour, polish 1b) (Pual) to be scoured
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: bright, furbish, scour. See also: Leviticus 6:21; Proverbs 20:30; Jeremiah 46:4.
הָֽ/רְמָחִ֔ים
rômach
H7420
"spear"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a spear or lance, especially the iron point. It is translated as buckler, javelin, lancet, or spear in the KJV Bible.
Definition: spear, lance
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: buckler, javelin, lancet, spear. See also: Numbers 25:7; 2 Chronicles 25:5; Jeremiah 46:4.
לִבְשׁ֖וּ
lâbash
H3847
"to clothe"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To clothe means to wrap something around or put on a garment. In the Bible, it can be used literally or figuratively, as in putting on clothes or being clothed with a certain attitude.
Definition: 1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear 1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed 1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848)
Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: (in) apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on, upon), wear. See also: Genesis 3:21; Job 27:17; Psalms 35:26.
הַ/סִּרְיֹנֹֽת
çiryôn
H5630
"armor"
Art | N-mp
This noun means armor or a coat of mail, used for protection in battle. It is used in the Bible to describe a soldier's protective gear. The KJV translates it as brigandine.
Definition: armour
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: brigandine. See also: Jeremiah 46:4; Jeremiah 51:3.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 46:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 46:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 46:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 46:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 46:4
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 46:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
- Sermons on Jeremiah 46:4
Context — Judgment on Egypt
2concerning Egypt and the army of Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah:
3“Deploy your shields, small and large; advance for battle!
4Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears; put on armor!
5Why am I seeing this? They are terrified, they are retreating; their warriors are defeated, they flee in haste without looking back; terror is on every side!” declares the LORD. 6“The swift cannot flee, and the warrior cannot escape! In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 21:9–11 | “Son of man, prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord says: ‘A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished— it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick. The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished, to be placed in the hand of the slayer. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 51:3 | Do not let the archer bend his bow or put on his armor. Do not spare her young men; devote all her army to destruction! |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 17:5 | and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels, |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 26:14 | Uzziah supplied the entire army with shields, spears, helmets, armor, bows, and slingstones. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 21:28 | Now prophesy, son of man, and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says concerning the Ammonites and their contempt: ‘A sword! A sword is drawn for slaughter, polished to consume, to flash like lightning— |
| 6 | Nehemiah 4:16 | And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 17:38 | Then Saul clothed David in his own tunic, put a bronze helmet on his head, and dressed him in armor. |
Jeremiah 46:4 Summary
Jeremiah 46:4 is a vivid picture of warriors preparing for battle, with horses, steeds, helmets, and armor, but as we see in the next verse, Jeremiah 46:5, their efforts are in vain against the more powerful Babylonian army, illustrating the idea that our own strength is not enough to save us, as seen in Psalm 33:16-17 and Proverbs 21:31. This verse reminds us that true strength comes from God, as described in Isaiah 40:29 and Psalm 28:7. Just like the Egyptian warriors, we often try to rely on our own abilities and preparations, but we must remember to trust in God's power and protection, as encouraged in Romans 13:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the historical context of Jeremiah 46:4?
Jeremiah 46:4 is part of a prophecy concerning the defeat of the Egyptian army by the Babylonians, as mentioned in Jeremiah 46:2, which took place during the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, and is also referenced in 2 Kings 24:7 and 2 Chronicles 35:20.
Who is Pharaoh Neco in this verse?
Pharaoh Neco is the king of Egypt, mentioned in Jeremiah 46:2, who led the Egyptian army to defeat at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, similar to other battles described in Isaiah 31:1 and Ezekiel 29:1-16.
What is the significance of the armor and helmets in Jeremiah 46:4?
The armor and helmets in Jeremiah 46:4 symbolize the preparation for battle, but as seen in the following verses, such as Jeremiah 46:5, the Egyptian army's efforts are futile against the Babylonians, highlighting the sovereignty of God as described in Psalm 33:16-17 and Proverbs 21:31.
How does Jeremiah 46:4 relate to the overall message of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah 46:4 is part of a larger prophecy against the nations, including Egypt, as seen in Jeremiah 46:1, emphasizing God's judgment on sinful nations, which is a recurring theme throughout the book of Jeremiah, such as Jeremiah 1:5 and Jeremiah 25:15-38.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of warriors preparing for battle in Jeremiah 46:4 reveal about the human tendency to rely on our own strength and armor, and how does this relate to our trust in God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18?
- In what ways do we, like the Egyptian warriors, try to polish our own spears and put on our own armor to face the challenges of life, and how can we instead put on the armor of God as described in Romans 13:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8?
- How does the command to 'take your positions with helmets on' in Jeremiah 46:4 illustrate the idea of being prepared for spiritual battle, and what are some ways we can prepare ourselves for the battles we face in our own lives, as encouraged in 1 Corinthians 16:13 and 2 Timothy 2:3-4?
- What does the contrast between the Egyptians' careful preparation and their subsequent defeat in Jeremiah 46:5 reveal about the limits of human strength and the power of God, as seen in other passages like Isaiah 40:29 and Psalm 20:7-8?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 46:4
Harness the horses,.... Put on their bridles and saddles and gird them: or, "bind the horses" (r); that is, to the chariots; put them to, as we commonly express it: Egypt abounded in horses, and so
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 46:4
Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
Art hath so much improved all things in later ages, that it is very hard to determine of what form the several weapons and pieces of armour, whether offensive or defensive, in use at this time were; the most here mentioned seem to have been defensive, and the whole speech of the prophet directed to the Egyptians seems to be ironical, calling to this army of Pharaoh-necho to get ready to defend themselves, for they were to encounter with an enemy would put them very hard to it, so as they had need to have their helmets, and bucklers, and shields, and brigandines all in a readiness, and know the use of them well; the horses for war had need be harnessed, the spears furbished, and the riders got up.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
Jeremiah 46:4 Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with [your] helmets; furbish the spears, [and] put on the brigandines.Ver. 4. Harness the horses.] Those warlike creatures, but yet vain things for safety. Egypt was famous for the best horses; but the Lord delighteth not in the strength of a horse, &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
(3, 4) Order ye the buckler and shield . . .—The poem opens with a summons to the hosts of Nebuchadnezzar to prepare for their victory. First the foot-soldiers are called, then the horse, lastly the light-armed troops. Put on the brigandines.—The history of the word is not without interest. Light-armed skirmishers were known in Italian as “brigands” (briganti—literally, “quarrellers”); the light coat of mail worn by them was accordingly known as a “brigandine.” When the Italian word became synonymous with robbers by land or sea, the ship used by them was called a brigantino, and from this is derived our English “brig” (W. A. Wright: Bible Word Book). The word “brigandine” is accordingly used by writers of the sixteenth century in both senses: by Spenser, for a ship— “Like as a warlike brigandine applied To fight;” and by Milton— “Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet And brigandine or brass” (Sams. Agonist., 1120)—in the same sense as here and in Jeremiah 51:3.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
Verse 4. Furbish the spears] Cleanse, brighten, and sharpen them; from the Franco-Gallic fourbir, to polish, brighten. Brigandines.] A coat of mail, especially that which was made scale fashion; one plate overlapping the other, like the scales of fish.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 46:4
4. Harness the horses] to the chariots which formed a very important feature of Egyptian armies. get up, ye horsemen] probably, mount the steeds.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 46:4
From the infantry the prophet proceeds to the chariots, in which the Egyptians placed great confidence. Get up, ye horsemen - Or, “mount the steeds.” Furbish - i. e., polish, sharpen.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 46:4
4. Harness the horses — That is, to the chariots. Get up, ye horse-men — The original of this last word means riding-horses in 1 Kings 4:26; 1 Kings 10:26; Ezekiel 27:14; and Joe 2:4.
Sermons on Jeremiah 46:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Modern Truths From the Conflict of David and Goliath by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, Dr. Ian Paisley emphasizes the importance of relying on the Word of God as the ultimate weapon in spiritual warfare. He uses the story of David and Goliath from 1 S |
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Surviving the Anointing - Part 2 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surviving the anointing by returning to God and embracing His presence. It highlights the dangers of rejecting wisdom, standing in the path |