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.
Original Language Analysis
יֵלֵ֑ךְ
H1980
יֵלֵ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְחַ֣יִל
with an army
H2428
בְחַ֣יִל
with an army
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
5 of 11
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
יֵלֵ֔כוּ
H1980
יֵלֵ֔כוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Isaiah 14:8Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.Isaiah 29:4And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.
Historical Context
The uraeus (cobra) was the primary symbol of Egyptian royal authority, worn on Pharaoh's crown as a protective deity. Ancient warfare often involved cutting through enemy positions like clearing timber, a metaphor Jeremiah's audience would immediately grasp. Babylonian military efficiency was legendary.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the serpent imagery connect Egypt's judgment to the original curse in Genesis 3?
- When has your voice been reduced from authority to mere protest in the face of God's will?
- What does treating armies "as hewers of wood" teach about human military power before divine judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The voice thereof shall go like a serpent (קוֹלָהּ כַּנָּחָשׁ יֵלֵךְ)—Egypt's once-mighty voice is reduced to a serpent's hiss (qolah kannachash), a whisper of former power. This evokes Genesis 3, where the serpent deceived Eve in Egypt-like abundance. They shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood (כִּי בְחַיִל יֵלֵכוּ וּבְקַרְדֻּמּוֹת בָּאוּ לָהּ)—the Babylonians approach with qaraddumot (axes), treating Egypt's armies like a forest to be cleared.
The serpent imagery is doubly significant: Egypt was symbolized by the cobra (uraeus) on Pharaoh's crown, representing royal power. Now that power is reduced to a helpless hissing. The contrast between serpent-voice and military might underscores Egypt's impotent protests against Babylon's timber-like efficiency.