Jeremiah 46:23
They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable.
Original Language Analysis
כָּרְת֤וּ
They shall cut down
H3772
כָּרְת֤וּ
They shall cut down
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
1 of 13
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
יַעְרָהּ֙
her forest
H3293
יַעְרָהּ֙
her forest
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
2 of 13
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵֽחָקֵ֑ר
though it cannot be searched
H2713
יֵֽחָקֵ֑ר
though it cannot be searched
Strong's:
H2713
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רַבּוּ֙
because they are more
H7231
רַבּוּ֙
because they are more
Strong's:
H7231
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, to cast together , i.e., increase, especially in number; to multiply by the myriad
מֵֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה
than the grasshoppers
H697
מֵֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה
than the grasshoppers
Strong's:
H697
Word #:
10 of 13
a locust (from its rapid increase)
Cross References
Judges 7:12And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.Judges 6:5For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.Joel 2:25And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
Historical Context
Forests were rare in Egypt but symbolized abundance and strength in Hebrew poetry. Egypt's population density along the Nile was legendary. The locust comparison would immediately recall the Exodus plague, creating a theological reversal: the judged becomes the judgment instrument.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use the very plagues Egypt inflicted on Israel to judge Egypt itself?
- What seemingly "impenetrable" areas of your life might God be preparing to "cut down"?
- Why does Scripture emphasize the innumerable nature of God's judgment forces?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched (כָּרְתוּ יַעְרָהּ נְאֻם־יְהוָה כִּי לֹא יֵחָקֵר)—The verb karatu (cut down) continues the timber metaphor, with yaarah (her forest) representing Egypt's dense population or military forces. The phrase lo yechaqer (cannot be searched/penetrated) emphasizes the forest's seeming impenetrability. Yet they are more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable (כִּי רַבּוּ מֵאַרְבֶּה וְאֵין לָהֶם מִסְפָּר)—Babylon's forces (rabbu me'arbeh) outnumber even locusts.
This reverses Egypt's eighth plague (Exodus 10:1-20), where locusts devoured Egypt. Now human "locusts" from Babylon will consume her. The forest metaphor also recalls Egypt's cedar trade and monumental architecture—all to be leveled by an army beyond counting.