Jeremiah 46:15
Why are thy valiant men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them.
Original Language Analysis
מַדּ֖וּעַ
H4069
מַדּ֖וּעַ
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
1 of 8
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָמַ֔ד
they stood
H5975
עָמַ֔ד
they stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
5 of 8
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 68:2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.Psalms 18:39For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.Psalms 18:14Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.Jeremiah 46:5Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Egypt's military, considered among the ancient world's finest, included elite chariot divisions and professional infantry. Their valiant men had centuries of military tradition and recent victories. Yet at Carchemish, panic seized them, and they fled in disorder—an unprecedented humiliation. The theological explanation—"the LORD did drive them"—reinterprets military history as divine action. This fulfilled earlier prophecies that Egypt would fail as an ally (Isaiah 30:1-7, 31:1-3, Ezekiel 29:6-7).
Questions for Reflection
- What does this verse teach about the futility of human strength when God opposes?
- How does Egypt's defeat encourage believers facing overwhelming opposition when God is with them?
- In what areas of life might we be trusting our own 'valiant men' (abilities, resources) instead of seeking God's favor?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Why are thy valiant men swept away?—The rhetorical question drips with irony, using madua (מַדּוּעַ, "why") to probe Egypt's humiliation. The phrase niskhaf abbireyka (נִסְחַף אַבִּירֶיךָ, "swept away thy valiant men") employs sakhaf (סָחַף), meaning swept away like flood debris, and abbirim (אַבִּירִים), referring to mighty bulls or champions—Egypt's elite warriors. The answer devastates Egypt's pride: they stood not, because the LORD did drive them. The verb hadaph (הֲדָפוֹ, "drive them") means to push down, thrust away, demonstrating active divine opposition.
This verse answers Egypt's boast in verse 8—human strength cannot stand when God actively opposes. The passive lo amad (לֹא עָמַד, "stood not") contrasts with the command to "stand fast" in verse 14, showing that no amount of resolve can resist God's judgment. This principle echoes throughout Scripture: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31), and its corollary: if God opposes, no human power can stand (2 Chronicles 20:6). Egypt's mighty bulls were scattered like chaff before God's wind.